What foods should a person avoid if he or she has heartburn, GERD, or Barretts esophagus?
What’s on your plate can impact heartburn, GERD, and Barrett’s esophagus. Eating certain foods, including onions, peppermint, and high-fat foods, as well as drinking alcohol, can cause the lower esophageal sphincter muscle, which controls the opening between the esophagus and the stomach, to relax. Usually, this muscle remains tightly closed except when food is swallowed. However, when this muscle fails to close, the acid-containing contents of the stomach can travel back up into the esophagus, producing a burning sensation commonly referred to as heartburn. Caffeinated beverages and foods (such as coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate) can also aggravate heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Tomatoes, citrus fruits, or juices also contribute additional acid that can irritate the esophagus. In addition, smoking relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, contributing to heartburn and GERD. Improving your eating habits can also reduce reflux. After eating, keep an upright postur
Eating certain foods, including onions, chocolate, peppermint and high-fat foods, as well as alcohol consumption, contribute to relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter muscle which controls the opening between the esophagus and the stomach. Usually, this muscle remains tightly closed except when food is swallowed. However, when this muscle fails to close, the acid-containing contents of the stomach can travel back up into the esophagus, producing a burning sensation commonly referred to as heartburn. Caffeinated beverages and foods (such as coffee, tea, colas and chocolate) also cause heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Tomatoes, citrus fruits or juices also contribute additional acid that can irritate the esophagus. In addition, smoking relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, contributing to heartburn and GERD. Improving your eating habits can also reduce reflux. After eating, keep an upright posture. Eat moderate portions of food and smaller meals. Lastly, eat meals
