Do you sometimes wish you could run to the fridge and make two ham sandwiches with lots of mayonnaise, hot peppers, and tomatoes? Maybe you would like to follow this with a beer. Or how about a slice of pizza? Or maybe what you really want is some ice cream with chocolate sauce. And there’s always coffee with extra cream to wash it all down.
In an ideal world, you might be able to get away with a diet like this. But chances are these types of foods are likely to give you a serious case of acid reflux disease. Heartburn — as this condition is commonly known — is no laughing matter. Heartburn can make you feel very uncomfortable and put a damper on your day.
Common Causes of Heartburn
Have you ever wondered what causes heartburn? Is it really just the result of eating the wrong foods?
When you get heartburn, some of the stomach’s juices make their way up out of your stomach and into your esophagus. One substance in particular can cause you a lot of suffering. Hydrochloric acid helps your stomach digest food, but it is a very powerful substance.
Hydrochloric acid is a corrosive substance used in industry to clean metal! Fortunately, your stomach has a protective lining that makes it immune to the acid. Unfortunately, your esophagus does not. That’s why you can experience a burning sensation in your throat, stomach pains, chest pains, nausea, and even shortness of breath when you suffer from heartburn.
So what causes heartburn? There are a lot of different reasons. In some cases, the esophageal sphincter muscle isn’t functioning. Normally this muscle pinches itself shut and prevents stomach acid from surging upward.
Sometimes heartburn can be caused by a hiatal hernia. But by far the most common reason for heartburn is a trigger food. Which foods should you stay away from to avoid an attack of heartburn?
Here is a list of the top eight foods that can cause heartburn:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Citrus fruits
- Fried foods
- Peppermint
- Spicy foods
- Tomatoes
If you don’t want to give up all of these foods, but are having trouble with heartburn, here are some strategies for minimizing acid attacks:
- Don’t overeat
- Eat ginger, pineapple and papaya to help with better digestion
- Try caraway oil; it could reduce heartburn symptoms
- Drink lots of water to aid proper digestion
For more alternative remedies that could help prevent heartburn symptoms, read the article Four Natural Remedies for Heartburn.
Related Article: The Best Heartburn Remedies: How to Get Rid of It Naturally