Not all foods are created equal. Some of them commonly cause stomach indigestion or even worse, lead to heartburn. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid enters the esophagus and causes a burning sensation in the middle of the chest. Avoiding some of the most common foods that cause heartburn can help you to better control the problem naturally.
Coffee
The acidic nature of coffee can aggravate those suffering from frequent heartburn. This is even true for decaffeinated coffee too, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Try to limit your coffee intake each morning or cut it out completely to reduce instances of heartburn.
Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks can have an effect on acid levels in your stomach, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Avoiding excess alcohol, especially acidic varieties such as red wine, can help to ease the pain associated with alcohol-caused heartburn and indigestion. People who have an occasional drink will probably not be negatively affected.
Carbonated Soft Drinks
Soda and other carbonated drinks can aggravate the stomach and esophagus by stimulating excess acid production in the stomach, according to QuickCare.org. This includes any type of caffeinated drink, such as tea, energy drinks and certain varieties of fruit juice.
Citrus Fruit
Citrus fruits are high in acid, which can cause heartburn in some cases. This includes oranges, lemons, grapefruit, lime and tangerines. Citric acid is used as a preservative in many types of foods, so you should be diligent when trying to avoid citrus fruits or flavorings. Some common foods containing citric acid include jams/jellies, canned fruit, mayonnaise, fruit-flavored snacks and soda.
Chocolate
While it is a staple food for those with a sweet tooth and can even be healthy for you in moderation, chocolate is not a good choice for those with sensitive stomachs. Chocolate seems to have a negative effect for those with frequent heartburn, according to QuickCare.org.
Fatty Foods
Any type of food high in fat can stimulate excess stomach acid production and thus should be avoided whenever possible. Fast-food is notoriously high in fat, so avoiding fast-food restaurants is a good start. Staying away from fried foods, such as fried chicken or fries, is another effective way at minimizing the risk of heartburn and indigestion.
Onions
Onions can have a big effect for those suffering from frequent heartburn. A study conducted by the Oklahoma Foundation for Digestive Research and published in the April 1990 issue of the "American Journal of Gastroenterology," showed that while onions tend to not adversely affect people who rarely or never get heartburn, those suffering from frequent heartburn were significantly affected during the study.
Peppermint and Spearmint
While peppermint and spearmint have been used as an all-natural way to improve symptoms of indigestion, they have been shown to irritate stomach acid in people who suffer from frequent heartburn, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. For this reason, heartburn sufferers should avoid peppermint teas and other foods containing peppermint or spearmint.
