Acid reflux can ruin anyone’s day. You’ve spent a day enjoying delicious meals and treats. Then, you realized you’ve eaten one of the worst foods for acid reflux.
From there, the day devolves from bliss to suffering.
Well, don’t worry. University Hospitals has a great list of the worst foods for acid reflux. But, which ones are true?
Let’s analyze the science behind it.
Caffeine
Coffee, tea, and many soft drinks can worsen your acid reflux. Luckily, you can opt for decaffeinated alternatives.
Why is it among the worst foods for acid reflux?
Caffeine stimulates acid secretion and disrupts the esophageal sphincter. Many believe these effects could worsen acid reflux symptoms.
Carbonated drinks
Even if they don’t have caffeine, soft drinks could hurt you. That’s because the drinks’ bubbles can create pressure in your stomach.
Why is it among the worst foods for acid reflux?
Indeed, consuming snacks and soft drinks can worsen acid reflux symtpoms. They cause acid to secrete again, triggering acid reflux.
Cocoa
Sadly, chocolate and other cocoa products can also worsen the condition. Chocolate is particularly bad since it also contains fat—and occasionally caffeine.
Why is it among the worst foods for acid reflux?
It acts similarly to caffeine. It lowers the esophageal sphincter’s pressure. Thus, it increases the stomach acid exposure.
Peppermint
Peppermint has always been a home remedy for acid reflux. But, newer theories suggest it might do more harm than good.
Why is it among the worst foods for acid reflux?
This study evaluated ideal diet patterns for GERD patients. Curiously, drinking peppermint tea frequently could be a risk factor. Still, further research is necessary.
Citrus fruits
Citric acid is what gives most of the flavor to oranges and similar fruits. But, its name is self-explanatory. Avoiding acid consumption is a must for acid reflux.
Why is it among the worst foods for acid reflux?
Again, it’s an acidic ingredient. That means orange, grapefruit, tangerine, and other fruits are a bad idea.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes aren’t particularly acid on the palate. Yet, they’re rarely recommended when we suffer acid reflux. That means staying away from ketchup, marinara sauce, and more.
Why is it among the worst foods for acid reflux?
Now, tomatoes are an amazing ingredient. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Yet, they’re quite acidic as well.
Alcohol
Alcohol is somewhat similar to chocolate. It can worsen acid reflux in several ways. In this case, it has two effects.
Why is it among the worst foods for acid reflux?
Firstly, alcohol relaxes your sphincter. That’s already quite problematic. But, it may also boost your stomach’s acid production.
Fried foods
Fried foods are almost always a “no.” Eating them occasionally is fine as a “guilty treat.” But, eating them too often is bad for countless reasons. For acid reflux, they’re particularly bad.
Why is it among the worst foods for acid reflux?
Cholesterol overcomes other dietary nutrients in enhancing acid reflux. Fried foods are particularly high in cholesterol.
Nighttime snacks
Finally, eating late at night is always counterproductive. That holds if you suffer from acid reflux. So, avoid eating anything at least a couple of hours before bed.
Why is it among the worst foods for acid reflux?
This study discovered that late meals increased acid reflux considerably. The effects may worsen depending on your condition.
The holistic takeaway
Unfortunately, acid reflux can ruin your favorite meals. That’s why it’s vital to know what to avoid and what to cut down. Try eating less of the worst foods for acid reflux instead of eliminating them.
If that doesn’t help, then maybe supplements could help. Acidaburn is a fantastic weight loss supplement that targets bile and stomach acid. So, it can help you cope with acid reflux while losing those extra pounds.
To learn how it works, check out my review!
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