Heartburn is said to be experienced when there is a painful burning feeling in your chest or throat. And
studies have shown that this condition happens when stomach acid backs
up into your esophagus, a long, muscular tube that connects your mouth
to your stomach.
For people prone to heartburn, high-fat foods may trigger the condition.
And unfortunately, they include some of the healthiest and nutritious
foods like avocados, cheese, and nuts.
Under normal
circumstances, it is impossible for stomach acid to escape into the
esophagus because of a barrier called the lower esophageal sphincter.
The lower esophageal sphincter is a ring-like muscle that naturally
stays closed, and only opens when you swallow or belch.
But it is different in people with acid reflux, as
the muscle is often weakened; hence, one of the reasons why people with
acid reflux usually experience heartburn.
However,
medical practitioners claim that if you have heartburn more than twice a
week, you may have Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is also
important to note that you can have GERD without having heartburn.
Be
that as it may, there are certain factors that are known to bring on
heartburn, and they include pregnancy, certain foods, alcohol, and some
pharmaceutical medications.
Here are some of the foods that are known to cause heartburn
1. Citrus fruits
As surprising as it sounds, oranges, grapefruits, and orange juice are classic heartburn foods.
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5 foods that are known to trigger heartburn(Buy fruit)
And according to the
founder of the Digestive Center for Women in Chevy Chase, Md. and a
gastroenterologist at Georgetown Hospital in Washington, D.C.Robynne
Chuktan, MD, the aforementioned fruits are very acidic and more likely
to cause heartburn as result of their nature when consumed on an empty
stomach.
2. High-fat foods
For
people prone to heartburn, high-fat foods may trigger the condition.
And unfortunately, they include some of the healthiest and nutritious
foods like avocados, cheese, and nuts.
However, studies have shown that there are two ways high-fat foods can trigger heartburn.
First,
they may relax the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that acts as a
barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. When this muscle
relaxes, stomach acid can escape from the stomach into the esophagus and
cause heartburn.
Second, high-fat foods stimulate
the release of the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK). This hormone may also
relax the lower esophageal sphincter and cause acid reflux.
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Here are 5 foods that trigger heartburn (Pinterest)
3. Spicy food
Recent studies have shown that spicy foods often contain a compound called capsaicin, which may slow the rate of digestion.
And when this happens, foods are likely to sit in the stomach longer than usual, which is a risk factor for heartburn.
For
example, one study showed that consuming chili that contained chili
powder slowed the rate of digestion. In addition, spicy foods may
irritate an already inflamed esophagus, and this can worsen heartburn
symptoms.
Thus, it is advisable to reduce your intake of spicy foods if you’re prone to heartburn.
4. Onion
Although
the health benefits of onion are priceless, studies have shown that it
is a common trigger for heartburn, especially when it is consumed raw.
And this is because it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, which may cause acid reflux and symptoms of heartburn.
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5 foods that are known to trigger heartburn(uhtrade)
Recent studies have
also shown that onions are a rich source of fermentable fiber, which may
cause belching; and belching can aggravate acid reflux symptoms.
5. Milk
Although
milk is commonly consumed to treat heartburn, studies have shown that
drinking whole milk may actually cause symptoms, instead of relief.
As
a matter of fact, a recent research suggests that whole milk may
increase stomach acid production, which is a risk factor for heartburn.