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Many diets can cause heartburn. Heartburn is certainly related to diet, but not all types of diets. Fried foods, fatty foods, peppermint, and chocolate do cause heartburn in many individuals. The list of foods that can cause heartburn is quite a lengthy one. However, the above items are very effective in triggering heartburn. Further, tomato and tomato products, foods, and drinks containing caffeine, and alcoholic beverages can cause heartburn. Caffeine and alcohol cause excess production of acid in the stomach.
What Causes Heart Burn?
Most of the food items and beverages mentioned here can weaken the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) and they also relax the ligaments which are closing the LES tightly. This paves the way for experiencing heartburn. When the pressure in the stomach increases, the situation worsens as the content in the stomach together with the acid is refluxed into the esophagus and throat.
Foods Causing Heart Burn
Other foods that can make the heartburn worse include onion, garlic, mustard, vinegar, certain spices, citrus fruits and juices, and carbonated beverages such as soda. Whenever you want to take a favorite food, you have to check if it can cause heartburn. Besides the characteristics of the food items that can cause heartburn, eating a heavy volume of foods also can cause heartburn. Especially if you are adding fluids to the meals, the chances of heartburn are increased. Even if you take a normal amount of food, but ingest plenty of fluids together with the meal, it is almost certainly for you to experience heartburn subsequently. On the other hand, eating small meals but frequently can avoid heartburn. Large meals cause more relaxation of the LES and more production of acid in the stomach. The heaviness of the food increases the pressure on the LES from inside the stomach.
Timings of Meal Linked to Heart Burn
Besides the properties and quantities of food, one more thing is there to take care of. It is the time of your meal. Going to bed shortly after a meal can cause heartburn. The standing position discourages acid reflux, but when you lie down, the chances of reflux are more. For this reason, you should go to bed only three hours after taking a meal. This also helps your stomach to stay empty in the morning.
