Sugary foods may trigger acid reflux, but symptoms may result from fatty substances in the foods and not necessarily the sugar. People respond differently to foods and you may have your own specific triggers. For example, some people experience acid reflux after consuming tomato-based products, such as sauces or pizzas, which don't bother others. Other trigger foods may include high-fat foods, garlic, onions, citrus fruits, chocolate, caffeine and carbonated beverages. One or more of these foods, or other items, may trigger your particular condition.
Causes and Symptoms
Trigger foods relax an esophageal muscle, called the lower esophageal sphincter, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse explains. The ring-like muscle usually protects you from stomach acid backup by contracting after foods and liquids enter the stomach. A relaxed muscle does not close tightly and allows acidic contents to back up into the esophagus. Acid reflux may result in heartburn, the burning sensation in your upper chest and throat. Sometimes you may have a bitter or sour taste in the back of your mouth from the acid backup.
Sources of Acid Reflux
Heavy meals may also contribute to acid reflux. Too much food or high-fat items slow down the digestive process, requiring the stomach to secrete more acid for digestion and increasing the risk of stomach acid backflow. Large meals or the variety of ingredients in your foods may make it difficult to pinpoint the source of your acid reflux. Keep a food diary for a week and write down the foods you eat, as well as the symptoms that follow. You can gradually reduce your intake of certain foods for protection from acid reflux.
Sugary Drinks and Food
Coffee, tea or carbonated beverages sometimes contain sugar and may trigger acid reflux. The caffeine in drinks may increase the production of acid, resulting in heartburn. Some people experience heartburn from eating chocolate, but chocolate has high-fat content, so the sugar itself may not be the cause of acid reflux and heartburn from these products. The caffeine, carbonation or fatty contents may trigger symptoms.
Possible Triggers
However, because people have different triggers, the possibility exists that sugar triggers symptoms. Sugar, tea, coffee and certain additives may exacerbate heartburn, according to Denise Tiran in an article for BabyCentre, a pregnancy and parenting website. The risk of heartburn and indigestion increases during pregnancy because of extra weight. Pressure on the abdomen can push on the stomach to promote acid reflux. This also happens to people who are overweight.
Low-Fat Diet
Maintaining a healthy weights reduces the risk of acid reflux. One good way to lower your weight and to avoid heartburn is to eat frequent small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals. You may be able to enjoy sugar once in a while without acid reflux by eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet. Acid reflux diets usually include lean meat, skinless poultry, fish, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, non-citrus fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology advises selecting snacks or desserts with 3 g of fat per serving, or less.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD); May 2007
- BabyCentre: Heartburn (Natural Remedies) by Denise Tiran; October 2007
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Heartburn --- Prevention; June 2009
