Knowing what foods that cause acid reflux is your first way of avoiding, or if not, easing the symptoms of the disease and allowing yourself to enjoy your meals. Identifying the foods that may trigger the symptoms to appear may require a little experimentation as the trigger may vary from individual to individual.
The exact cause of acid reflux is not yet known but there are several factors that may increase your chances of suffering from acid reflux. Abnormalities in the stomach called hiatal hernia, pregnancy, and bad eating habits are said to trigger this condition in most individuals. Smoking is also seen to increase your risk of suffering from this disease. Other factors include obesity or being overweight, medications you take, and some forms of exercise that puts too much pressure on the abdomen.
Aside from these common triggers, there are also foods that cause acid reflux and thus, should be avoided. Keep in mind that the foods may very from person to person, thus it helps to take note of your particular triggers.
Here are some foods and beverages that you may want to watch out for to help you prevent from experiencing acid reflux.
Alcohol - alcohol increases stomach acid and weakens the lower esophageal sphincter or LES muscles that serve as a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus. When the LES muscles are weaken, it cannot control the flow of acid back to the esophagus, thus causing acid reflux. Aside from alcohol, drugs can also weaken the proper functioning of the LES muscles.
Carbonated drinks, coffee and other caffeine-containing beverages can also weaken the LES muscles, thus can trigger the occurrence of acid reflux.
Citrus fruits, oranges, lemons, tomatoes, tomato sauces and other tomato-based products are also said to weaken the LES muscles thus can also cause acid to travel back from the stomach to the esophagus.
Chocolate contains a compound similar with that of coffee and tea that can also hinder the proper functioning of the esophageal sphincter, thus can lead to acid in the esophagus.
Fried foods, dairy products, and spicy foods such as chili can also trigger the reflux that may also lead to heartburn. Peppermint can also be a culprit in worsening your situation.
The foods that cause acid reflux are do not exactly cause the disease but can trigger it and worsen its symptoms. Although avoiding these foods may not necessarily mean avoiding acid reflux, it can however be a very big help in alleviating or avoiding the symptoms brought about by acid reflux.
At times, it may not be the foods that cause acid reflux but about your eating habits. Lying down after a meal or taking heavy meals can also trigger the reflux of acid into the esophagus. This means that avoiding acid reflux may mean changing your habits including avoiding smoking and alcohol and watching how much you eat. One remedy you can follow is to eat lesser but more frequent meals to help you get away with acid reflux.
Author Resource:-
Carolyn Anderson used to suffer from acid reflux. To learn more about permanently overcoming acid reflux, check out Stop Acid Reflux Now. Also check out Heartburn No More, a useful guide in dealing with heartburn.
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