Foods that Cause Heartburn and What to Avoid

There are many foods that can cause heartburn, and to provide some relief you can try to figure out which foods you need to try to avoid.  This may be a matter of trial and error in the beginning, but if you start by keeping a food journal you can start the process of eliminating the foods and drinks that cause you the irritating pain and discomfort otherwise known as acid reflux.

Foods that have a high acid content like citrus fruits including oranges, grapefruits and drinking orange juice can cause heartburn, especially when you eat these on an empty stomach.  Tomatoes are also very acidic and cause the acid reflux.  Garlic and onions are also on the list of foods that tend to irritate sufferers.  Next are spicy foods such as chili, hot peppers, Mexican foods, hot sauces, even spices like black and cayenne pepper.  Surprisingly, peppermint which is typically thought to be soothing, can also be a cause, and can be in the form of an after dinner mint or a cup of peppermint tea.  What happens is the peppermint actually relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, and this is where the acid comes up from the stomach into the esophagus and causes the heartburn.

High fat foods like cheeses, nuts, red meats and avocados can cause a fuller stomach which builds pressure, and increases the chances of pushing the acid up through to the esophagus.  Try eating these foods earlier in the day, or if they irritate you no matter the time then add them to the list of foods to avoid.

Many beverages can also be the cause of your acid reflux, including coffee, tea, soda, and all other drinks that contain caffeine, like energy drinks.  Alcoholic beverages work the same way as the peppermint, so use caution while drinking it.  Don’t panic though, this doesn’t mean you need to give up all of these, cutting down on portion sizes can do wonders.  Most people over consume beverages, for instance a bottle of soda is usually two or two and a half servings.  Paying more attention to these details, and having just half the bottle instead can provide plenty of relief from heartburn.