Living with acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD, is painful and can give rise to possible serious complications such as Barrett's esophagus and even esophageal cancer if the reflux goes on for too long. The Family Doctor website explains that GERD is caused by eating certain foods and often by overeating. Both actions can trigger the lower esophageal sphincter to malfunction, allowing foods and digestive acids to back up into the esophagus and damage the lining of the esophagus. It's important to learn what foods irritate the stomach and esophagus and avoid eating them.
Drinks
FamilyDoctor.org recommends steering clear of alcohol, coffee, caffeine drinks of all kinds, sodas and citrus juices, especially oranges, all which are known to irritate and aggravate GERD. All of these drinks can irritate the stomach lining causing it to over-produce digestive acid. By limiting or eliminating caffeine and other acid-forming beverages, you lessen the chance for additional reflux.
Tomatoes
Avoid tomatoes and all tomato products which--like most citrus fruits, are too difficult to digest due its high acidity--worsen reflux symptoms, explains the Life Extension website. Tomatoes also create an acid-forming condition in the stomach, stimulating the production of excess digestive acids which can then back up into the esophagus causing additional painful GERD symptoms.
Spices and Condiments
Avoid chilies, hot sauce, pepper, hot and spicy foods of all kinds recommends the Acid Reflux Cure website. These foods may be the cause of damage to the esophageal lining. Furthermore, eliminate white vinegar from your diet advises Dr. Theodore A. Baroody in his excellent book about pH, "Alkalize or Die", due to its exceedingly high acid content which causes damage to the esophagus and stomach linings.
Sweets
Chocolate, cocoa, mint, spearmint and peppermint are not tolerated well by people with reflux reports FamilyDoctor.com. The action of the various mints on the digestive tract causes the esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing stomach digest to regurgitate back up the esophagus, worsening GERD according to the Medicine Chest website. Chocolate and cocoa have the same effect on the esophageal sphincter, causing it to weaken and allow acids to reflux, reports the Food Navigator website. Most chocolate also contains caffeine which is acid-producing, which creates more irritation to the digestive tract lining.
Onions and Garlic
The Acid Reflux Cure website advises to stay away from raw onions and garlic, which they claim, weakens the lower esophageal sphincter.
Fats
The Mayo Clinic mentions fatty and fried foods as triggers for GERD. Animal fats are also known culprits and should be avoided because they are suspected of delaying the stomach's ability to empty quickly according to the Life Extension website.
