Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or acid reflux, is a digestive condition that occurs when your stomach acid flows back into your esophagus, according to MayoClinic.com. The upward flow of acid can irritate the lining of your esophagus and cause heartburn or acid indigestion, hoarseness, chest pain, sore throat and regurgitation of food. When these symptoms occur more than twice a week or interfere with your daily life, you should contact a medical professional. Acid reflux triggers vary among individuals, and knowing which foods irritate or weaken your esophagus can help ward off acid reflux.
Peppermint
Avoid foods and beverages that contain peppermint, because they may trigger acid reflux, also known as GERD. Peppermint may relax your esophageal sphincter and allow stomach acids to penetrate the lining of your esophagus, resulting in pain and indigestion.
Fried Foods
Fried fatty foods like French fries, onion rings, fried chicken and deep-fried fish may trigger acid reflux symptoms like pain and heartburn. Fried foods high in fat can relax your lower esophageal sphincter and allow acid to move up into your esophagus. These foods also delay the emptying of your stomach, which encourages acid reflux.
Dairy Products
Dairy products that are high in fat may trigger acid reflux. Dairy products like whole milk, sour cream and cream cheese are difficult to digest, because they stay in your stomach for a prolonged amount of time. This delay in digestion may result in acid reflux symptoms like heartburn and chest pain.
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages may cause acid reflux. Beer, wine and liquor may irritate and inflame the lining of your esophagus and cause a burning sensation in your chest.
Caffeinated Beverages
Avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea and soft drinks, because they may weaken your lower esophageal sphincter muscle, allow stomach acid to enter your esophagus and cause acid reflux symptoms like heartburn and chest pain.
Chocolate
If you have problems with heartburn and indigestion, stay away from chocolate, because it may contribute to acid reflux. According to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, chocolate contains methylxanthine, a chemical that may relax your lower esophageal sphincter muscle, increase acid in your stomach and delay the digestive process.
Acidic Foods
Acidic foods like oranges, grapefruits, pineapples and tomatoes may trigger acid reflux. Citrus fruits, tomatoes and tomato-based foods contain large amounts of acid, which can cause acid reflux symptoms like heartburn, hoarseness and a sore throat as the acid travels up your esophagus.
Onions and Garlic
Avoid foods that contain onions or garlic, because they may irritate the lining of your esophagus and cause heartburn.
References
- Penn State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Reflux
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Heartburn Gatroesophageal Reflux
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: McKinley Health Center: The GERD Diet (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Peppermint
- American Academy of Otolaryngology: Fact Sheet: Gastroesphageal Reflux (GERD)
- MayoClinic.com: GERD
