Heartburn: Foods to Eat and Avoid For Treating Heartburn

Heartburn is an age old condition that millions of people experiences. Also known as acid reflux and pyrosis, heartburn is in no way related to the heart. As a matter of fact, heartburn is a digestive condition.

Heartburn happens when we regurgitate stomach acid and when it reaches our esophagus. It irritates that esophagus and causes a burning sensation that starts on the diaphragm and make its way up just behind the breastbone. In most cases, it is also accompanied by a bitter and sour taste, which is mainly the stomach acid making its way in to your mouth.

So, what causes stomach acid to flow up to the esophagus?

There are several explanations on why this happens but one of the main reasons is the food we eat.

You need to know that certain foods increase the likelihood of us experiencing heartburn. So, by changing our diet, you will be able to find relief from heartburn and even decrease its frequency. This means that you may need to give up or limit some of the foods you eat in order for you to prevent experiencing heartburn.

So, what are the foods that you can eat and what are the foods that you should avoid?

• Foods To Avoid

If you constantly experience heartburn, you may want to cut down on the consumption of citrus fruits. You have to remember that citrus fruits and juices are acidic in nature. You need to keep in mind that your goal is to stop acid from reaching your esophagus and by eating citrus fruits, which are acidic in nature, you are worsening the problem.

This means that you may need to avoid fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits. Tomatoes are also acidic and it should also be avoided. However, keep in mind that consuming these fruits is still important as they are very rich in vitamins and minerals. But, you have to limit yourself in consuming these fruits.

Spicy foods can also increase the risk of acid problems. If you love spicy food and you have a problem with heartburn, it may be time for you to limit your consumption of food containing chili, peppers, and hot curries to name a few.

Chocolate is another type of food you should avoid as it is a known trigger for heartburn. This is because chocolate relaxes the LES or the Lower Esophageal Sphincter. The LES acts as a valve to keep stomach acid from pouring in to your esophagus. When it is relaxed, stomach acid can freely bypass the LES and reach your esophagus, which in turn causes heartburn.

Fatty foods should also be avoided. This is because they are hard to digest. And, when the stomach is having a hard time digesting food, it will produce more acid, which is what you don’t want your body to do if you are suffering from heartburn.

• Foods To Eat

Apples and bananas are great for helping you deal with heartburn. This is because they help dissolve acid in your stomach.

Vegetables are also great for controlling acid problems in your stomach. Eat vegetables that are alkaline in nature, such as green cabbage, carrots, broccoli, and sprouts. Not only that they will help you with your heartburn problem, but these vegetables will be beneficial for your overall health.

You should also increase your daily water intake. This will help dilute the acid in your stomach, which will make it less potent.

Lastly, if you must eat meat, you have to eat lean meat that has little fat on it. Chicken, fish and turkey are acceptable meats that can help decrease the likelihood of you experiencing heartburn.

These are the foods that you can and cannot eat. By following these tips, you can be sure that you will be able to solve your heartburn problem. Just remember that if you experience heartburn despite the changes you made in your diet, you have to see your doctor. This may already be a sign of a more serious health problem.