Learn more about what foods to avoid with acid reflux below. Acid reflux is a fairly common affliction among men and women alike. This condition happens when acids in the stomach flow up into the esophagus and cause discomfort and pain in the abdominal area. Acid reflux happens when there is a malfunction in the lower esophageal sphincter and it fails to prevent acids from rising to the esophagus from the stomach. One of the most common triggers of this condition is food, particularly large amounts of which can contribute to the occurrence of the symptoms and the development of heartburn. To prevent and avoid the uncomfortable symptoms, it is best to avoid certain foods which are known to trigger and aggravate symptoms. Some of the food culprits to avoid include:
Deep-fried and oily foods
Deep-fried foods generally have high amounts of trans fats which disrupt the digestive system. Oily foods are difficult to digest because they are dense and heavy. As a result, they bog down the process of digestion. This in turn increases pressure within the stomach, which later leads to an increase in excess acids. Another group of foods to avoid are high fat foods, such as cakes, pastries and other baked goods that contain too much oil or grease. Most baked goods are highly processed and often contain refined sugar, artificial flavoring, preservatives and coloring. All of these are acidic and can only aggravate an already active stomach.
Drinks to avoid
Some drinks and beverages trigger an attack in individuals who suffer from acid reflux and heartburn. Some of these include fruit juices, chocolate and tea. Most fruit juices are high in acid content and will only contribute to the excess amount in the digestive system. Chocolate drinks contain a compound known as theobromine which contributes to the relaxation of the muscle in the esophageal sphincter. When this muscle is too lax, it could allow stomach acids to leak up the esophagus. Tea, which also contains caffeine, can create the same action.
Although coffee has many beneficial qualities, it also acts as a mild form of laxative. Caffeine also encourages the stomach to produce more gastric acids. When there is too much in the system, there is a risk that an acid reflux could occur. Coffee does not always cause the action associated with a heartburn but it is best for sensitive individuals to avoid if they find that it worsens the symptoms. There is bad news for people who love wine as well. Alcohol not only triggers the production of more acids in the stomach, it also relaxes the esophageal sphincter and as such, must be avoided.
Salty foods
In a survey conducted in Nord-Trondelag, Norway, it was discovered that salt was also a culprit in acid reflux. The survey involved over 47,000 people who participated in a two surveys conducted by the public health department. The surveys spanned the periods of 1984 to 1986 and 1995 to 1997. The participants were asked about their diet and lifestyle and it was discovered that people who added more salty foods to their diet were 70% more likely to develop or suffer from the condition compared to those who simply minimized their salt intake. Hope you enjoy what foods to avoid with acid reflux article here.