Heartburn is a discomfort that millions of people face. That burning sensation creeps up the esophagus and lights the chest and throat on fire. It is an all too common occurrence that many people abhor. Some people suffer more than others and seem to have intense heartburn regularly. What some may not know is that the food they eat can be a contributing factor in reoccurring and agonizing heartburn. Sometimes avoiding certain foods helps battle the burning sensation that radiates from the chest. Here are a five foods that have been shown to worsen heartburn.
SEE ALSO: 5 Healthiest Foods for Your Baby During Pregnancy
Chocolate
Chocolate lovers will be dismayed to learn that their common source of joy is also causing their common source of fiery pain. Scientists have found that there are certain chemicals in chocolate that promote the relaxation of the esophageal sphincter. The chemical that is most likely causing the problem is serotonin, which is released by the intestinal cells in response to a person eating chocolate. When the sphincter is relaxed, acid is then able to seep out of the stomach and into the esophagus where it causes pain.
Carbonated Beverages
Sodas and other carbonated beverages are some of the main culprits when it comes to terrible heartburn. One reason sodas cause heartburn is the high level of carbonation in the drinks. The carbonation adds extra pressure to the stomach when the bubbles are released. Extra pressure leads the esophageal sphincter to open more, which allows heartburn causing stomach acid to inflict havoc. Another heartburn contributing factor of carbonated beverages is their high levels of acidity. Acidity only worsens the problem of heartburn.
Fried Foods
Foods that have been deep fried are among the most recognizable causes of heartburn. Deep fried foods are cooked by being submerged into very hot vats of oil and fat. If the foods are poorly prepared and drained, more of the oil and fat that the food was fried in is absorbed into it. When fats and oils enter the stomach, they take much longer to digest than other foods. The longer the food sits in the stomach, the longer the lower esophageal sphincter is relaxed.
Alcohol
Though usually low in acid, alcoholic beverages are believed to cause heartburn and reflux. The reason is that alcohol can cause the esophageal sphincter to relax. A relaxed esophageal sphincter is like a leaky drain pipe that slowly drips acid into the throat. Similar to using a plumbing company such as Plugged Piper Drain Service, a person can mend the leaky sphincter by avoiding alcohol and others on this list.
Coffee
People looking to get a buzz from an espresso may want to find an alternative if they suffer from heartburn. Similar to alcohol, the caffeine in coffee can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and release acid into the throat. Adding insult to injury, caffeine in coffee also stimulates the stomach to produce more gastric acid.
SEE ALSO: Foods To Avoid After A Workout
Heartburn feels as great as a chest lit on fire, but avoiding these five foods can help dodge acid reflux and terrible heartburn. Though many can eat and drink these foods without much problem, moderation should be used if heartburn is an often reoccurring problem.
Have anything to say? leave it in the comments below.
Rizwan Ahmad
SEE ALSO: 5 Healthiest Foods for Your Baby During Pregnancy
Chocolate
Chocolate lovers will be dismayed to learn that their common source of joy is also causing their common source of fiery pain. Scientists have found that there are certain chemicals in chocolate that promote the relaxation of the esophageal sphincter. The chemical that is most likely causing the problem is serotonin, which is released by the intestinal cells in response to a person eating chocolate. When the sphincter is relaxed, acid is then able to seep out of the stomach and into the esophagus where it causes pain.
Carbonated Beverages
Sodas and other carbonated beverages are some of the main culprits when it comes to terrible heartburn. One reason sodas cause heartburn is the high level of carbonation in the drinks. The carbonation adds extra pressure to the stomach when the bubbles are released. Extra pressure leads the esophageal sphincter to open more, which allows heartburn causing stomach acid to inflict havoc. Another heartburn contributing factor of carbonated beverages is their high levels of acidity. Acidity only worsens the problem of heartburn.
Fried Foods
Foods that have been deep fried are among the most recognizable causes of heartburn. Deep fried foods are cooked by being submerged into very hot vats of oil and fat. If the foods are poorly prepared and drained, more of the oil and fat that the food was fried in is absorbed into it. When fats and oils enter the stomach, they take much longer to digest than other foods. The longer the food sits in the stomach, the longer the lower esophageal sphincter is relaxed.
Alcohol
Though usually low in acid, alcoholic beverages are believed to cause heartburn and reflux. The reason is that alcohol can cause the esophageal sphincter to relax. A relaxed esophageal sphincter is like a leaky drain pipe that slowly drips acid into the throat. Similar to using a plumbing company such as Plugged Piper Drain Service, a person can mend the leaky sphincter by avoiding alcohol and others on this list.
Coffee
People looking to get a buzz from an espresso may want to find an alternative if they suffer from heartburn. Similar to alcohol, the caffeine in coffee can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and release acid into the throat. Adding insult to injury, caffeine in coffee also stimulates the stomach to produce more gastric acid.
SEE ALSO: Foods To Avoid After A Workout
Heartburn feels as great as a chest lit on fire, but avoiding these five foods can help dodge acid reflux and terrible heartburn. Though many can eat and drink these foods without much problem, moderation should be used if heartburn is an often reoccurring problem.
Have anything to say? leave it in the comments below.
Rizwan Ahmad
About the Author:
This article is contributed by April Labarron and posted by Rizwan Ahmad Author and founder of myfoodforu blog He is a blogger from India and he loves to share his thoughts by writing articles on the different topics related to humanity,
This article is contributed by April Labarron and posted by Rizwan Ahmad Author and founder of myfoodforu blog He is a blogger from India and he loves to share his thoughts by writing articles on the different topics related to humanity,
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