Heartburn or acid reflux is a very common digestive issue. It often triggers a burning and painful sensation around the lower chest region. The condition occurs when acid from your stomach moves up to the esophagus, which is responsible for transporting drinks and foods to the digestive tract. Diet is a major risk factor of acid reflux. Some foods in your daily meals would relax your esophageal sphincter and trigger heartburn. Below are 12 foods that you should limit consumption to reduce the risk of having acid reflux.
Chocolate
One of the most common causes of acid reflux is chocolate. This food would relax your lower esophageal sphincter, which makes it easier for acid in the stomach to escape this area and go to the esophagus. Moreover, the main ingredient in chocolate is cocoa. With a large amount of serotonin, this substance can also cause the same relaxing effect on the lower esophageal sphincter. Another factor that makes chocolate a trigger is the presence of caffeine and theobromine. Both elements would relax your lower esophageal sphincter and lead to acid reflux. While all types of chocolate can be triggers, high-fat milk products tend to be worse than dark chocolates. [1]
