Heartburn that occurs more than twice a week or on a regular basis can indicate a serous digestive condition called GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Failure to properly treat GERD can lead to narrowing or stricture of the esophagus, Barrett's esophagus or esophageal ulcers, notes the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. As a form of treatment, diet modification can help manage GERD symptoms.
Esophageal Irritants
Irritation of the esophagus lining is a major cause of GERD symptoms. Citrus juices or fruits, coffee, carbonated drinks, onion, mint, alcohol, tomatoes and garlic can irritate the esophageal lining. However, not all GERD patients suffer irritation from the same foods. Some people report that fried foods cause symptoms while some state that spicy foods triggers their acid reflux symptoms. Avoiding GERD food triggers are important to effectively manage the disease, reports MayoClinic.com.
Tone Inhibitors
Some food products make the stomach less capable of retaining it contents because they provoke the lower esophageal sphincter to relax. When this occurs, stomach contents are pushed up from the stomach and into the esophagus. Foods with chocolate and high fat content such as pastries and fried foods lessen the muscular sphincter tone, reports the American College of Gastroenterology. Chocolate products contain methylxanthine, a chemical that decreases smooth muscle tissue tone, explains the University of Illinois McKinley Health Center. Poor lower esophageal sphincter tone enables stomach contents to reflux upward toward the esophagus.
Quantity of Food Intake
For some GERD patients, substantial amounts of foods can initiate acid reflux. Consuming large meals that fills the stomach creates pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, which compromises its role in the digestion process. As a result, stomach contents are more likely to flow backwards into the esophagus and cause irritation to the esophageal lining. Many GERD patients achieve symptom relief by eating smaller but more frequent meals. Experimenting with different portions sizes will help determine what works best for your condition.
