Heartburn: Avoiding certain foods

Foods to Avoid:
Some foods weaken the lower esophageal sphincter muscle, which allows more stomach acid to splash up into your esophagus. Dietician Elaine McGee says these include:
• Fried or fatty foods
• Chocolate
• Peppermint and spearmint
• Garlic
• Onions

Certain drinks increase acid content in the stomach. These include:

• Coffee (including decaffeinated coffee)
• Caffeinated tea and cola drinks
• Alcoholic beverages

Still other foods can irritate a damaged esophageal lining, so should be
limited. These include:

• Citrus fruits & juice
• Tomato products
• Chili peppers
• Black pepper

Also, keep in mind that any carbonated beverage can cause bloating, putting pressure on the stomach and forcing acid back into the esophagus.

Are there any foods that are "heartburn helpers?"
Your body's greatest ally is your own saliva. Saliva is an alkaline solution that helps soothe and protect the lower esophagus. Magee advises chewing gum after a meal or sucking on a lozenge to stimulate saliva, thereby reducing the time your stomach acid is in contact with your esophagus.

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Information contained in this article does not necessarily represent the view of Newlifelearning. However we bring you leading information so you can make up your own mind.

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