Certain foods can trigger acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion, especially those high in fat, dairy, caffeine, or citric acid. Avoiding these foods and adopting a pH balanced diet can help alleviate symptoms. Food preparation and timing of meals also play a role in managing acid reflux.
Acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion can be triggered through the consumption of certain foods. Particularly harmful are those foods that contain high levels of fat, dairy, caffeine, or citric acid. Knowing which foods to avoid with acid reflux is important to ensure heartburn and indigestion triggers can be avoided.
Acid reflux, indigestion, and heartburn are fairly common ailments that are triggered as a result of two key factors. Eating foods that have an acidifying effect on the body causes excess stomach acid to be produced, which is then refluxed or regurgitated through the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is the direct link between the esophagus and the stomach, and eating certain foods can have a particularly stimulating effect on the LES, relaxing it and allowing food from the stomach to flow back into the esophagus. The key items of food to avoid with acid reflux are those that acidify the body or stimulate the LES, causing it to relax.
For people who suffer from heartburn or acid reflux, it may be helpful to adopt an acid reflux diet or a Hydrogen (pH) balanced diet. Planning these diets is important because they should focus on foods that have a more neutral pH and therefore less volatile effect on the LES. An acid reflux diet should also take into account foods that aggravate heartburn or acid reflux and limit intake of those foods or eliminate them altogether.
Foods that cause the LES to relax are usually fried foods, dairy products, high-fat meats, cookies, chocolate, and thick sauces like mayonnaise. Peppermint is also known to stimulate the LES and to be a component of acid reflux. Other foods to avoid with acid reflux are those that cause excessive production of stomach acid, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, raw onion, spicy foods, alcohol, carbonated drinks, and caffeine.
The method by which food is prepared can have an effect on acid reflux. For example, baking rather than frying foods will have a less acidifying effect on the stomach. The time of day a meal is eaten is also important, because eating a large meal late at night or eating right before bed can lead to heartburn and acid reflux. This is because the body does not have enough time to digest food properly before sleeping.
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