Foods That Aggravate Acid Indigestion

Foods That Aggravate Acid Indigestion
Photo Credit Frank Gaglione/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Acid indigestion, or heartburn, causes a burning sensation in the chest, throat or abdomen and sometimes a sour taste in the back of the throat, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Acid indigestion is caused by stomach acid rising up into the esophagus. Several different kinds of food and drink can aggravate heartburn.

Acidic Foods

Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits are a common trigger of acid indigestion, according to the NDDIC. You may also want to avoid tomato-based foods like pasta sauce, pizza, chili and salsa.

Spicy Foods

Hot spices like chili, curry, black pepper, mustard and others can cause acid indigestion, according to the NDDIC. You might want to avoid other condiments like vinegar and ketchup, which can be triggers for some people. Peppermint and other mint flavorings can also lead to heartburn, as can garlic and onions in some individuals.

Other Triggers

Chocolate is a common trigger of acid indigestion, according to the NDDIC, as are drinks that contain alcohol and caffeine. You might also want to avoid fatty foods, fried foods and carbonated drinks.

References

Article reviewed by Mia Paul Last updated on: Oct 20, 2010

Must see: Photo Galleries