A burning sensation in your lower chest, possibly followed by a sour taste in your mouth, are telltale signs of acid indigestion and acid reflux. "The Merck Manuals" explain that these symptoms occur when hydrochloric acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus. Symptoms of heartburn should never be more than an isolated episode, and a physician can determine the cause and suggest possible treatments. In the meantime, avoiding foods that trigger symptoms can be helpful.
Acidic Foods
Citrus fruit and tomatoes may supply all your vitamin C, but they are common triggers for heartburn, acid indigestion and acid reflux. The Mayo Clinic points out that other acidic foods such as coffee and salad dressings can also aggravate the stomach and trigger reflux.
Spicy Foods
You may want to hold the extra onions and peppers because spicy foods are another trigger for acid indigestion. Italian food, with its reliance on garlic, onion, spices and tomatoes, can set you up for a long evening of heartburn.
Fatty Foods
Nexium points out that high-fat foods take longer to digest. The odds of having indigestion are higher because the food and stomach acid remain in the stomach longer. According to Nexium, high-fat foods also tend to relax the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach, which makes acid reflux possible. High-fat foods include red meat, dairy products made from whole milk, fried food and avocados.
Alcohol and Chocolate
The McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois suggests that patients suffering from acid reflux avoid chocolate because chocolate contains methylxanthine. Methylxanthine relaxes smooth muscle tissue, making it more likely that the esophageal sphincter will open. Alcohol is also a common trigger for acid indigestion because the alcohol irritates the lining of the stomach and increases the production of stomach acid.
