Almost everyone has experienced pain and discomfort in your chest after eating certain foods, which is known as heartburn. Heartburn is an irritation of the esophagus that is caused by stomach acid. In spite of the name, heartburn actually has nothing to do with the heart. It usually creates a burning discomfort in the upper abdomen or below the breastbone.Though the triggers of heartburn vary from person to person, certain foods are usually universally problematic.
Oranges, pineapples and grapefruits are very acidic, which means they are likely to cause heartburn, especially when eaten on an empty stomach. If you’re prone to heartburn, it’s important to not only avoid full fruits, but you should also avoid fruit juices. Go for high alkaline foods, such as berries, apples, pears and bananas to get your fruit fix without the added acid!
Most people complain of extreme heartburn after eating spicy foods. However, some also say that spicy foods help calm the most painful symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux. If spicy foods trigger your heartburn, eliminate them from your diet then slowly add them back into your diet.
All alcohol can cause heartburn, but red wine and beer are the most important to avoid if you are prone to alcohol-induced heartburn. If you do drink alcohol, make sure you avoid adding other foods that trigger heartburn to your meal.
Coffee, soda, and tea can trigger heartburn in a lot of people. Much like other triggers of heartburn, it doesn’t come down to never having it in your diet. It’s important to pay attention to portion size. A small coffee might not trigger heartburn, but a medium might not settle well.
Tomatoes are extremely healthy, but they can also cause a lot of heartburn. Use pasta sauce, ketchup, and other tomato-based condiments with caution to avoid heartburn later on in the day.
Carbonated beverages can cause gastric distension, which increases the pressure on your esophageal sphincter. It’s best to avoid carbonated beverages altogether if you’re prone to reflux or heartburn.
It’s best to consult your physician if you want to figure out what’s triggering your heartburn and come up with a way to relieve symptoms.
Contact Surgical Consultants of Northern Virginia at (571) 512-5300 to schedule an appointment for issues with heartburn.
