There are plenty of foods to avoid if you have acid reflux, but even more myths out there that actually carry no scientific weight to them. In order to better control any acid reflux issues you may be facing, it is important to learn about which foods are proven to aggravate acid reflux symptoms so that you can avoid them and choose others that soothe heartburn symptoms.
Fatty Meats
Certain foods stay in the stomach longer than others. With acid reflux, it is important to have a stomach empty as quickly as possible. Meats high in fat, such as fast food and fried items, linger in the stomach well beyond fresher foods. Foods like fried chicken, salami, burgers and steaks have high fat content and fatty oils that can wreak havoc on your system.
Acidic Foods
It makes sense that foods high in acids can interfere with acid production in the stomach. When you eat foods that contain lots of acids, more digestive enzymes are needed to handle the food, which means more stomach acid. Avoiding lemons, oranges, cranberries, tomatoes and foods made with lots of vinegar can help to reduce the severity of acid reflux.
Beverages
Many people drink tea to try to soothe acid reflux symptoms, but that isn't the wisest course of action. In fact, there are several beverages that increase the amount of stomach acid besides tea, such as wine, beer and soda. These beverages make acid reflux symptoms worse.
Dairy Foods
Dairy foods also increase digestive enzymes, causing an overproduction of stomach acid and an unbalanced amount of enzymes due to the lactose, or milk sugars. Stick to lactose-free dairy items and avoid foods like ice cream, cottage cheese and sour cream.
Spicy Food
Certain spices are guaranteed to give just about anyone heartburn, but those suffering from acid reflux can help alleviate symptoms by steering clear of peppers and onions in meals. Ethnic spices can often aggravate acid reflux and spicy food in general tends to weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, which increases the chances of stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus.
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