Do you have this burning, painful sensation that occurs in your lower chest area and progresses toward your mouth? You have heartburn. Heartburn is a common symptom that can happen to anyone irrespective of gender or age group. Some people with heartburn can also have a sour taste in their mouths.
Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), a disorder that occurs when the stomach contents regurgitate back into the esophagus. However, if you experience heartburn frequently, it is not because you have the disease; certain foods you eat can cause heartburn. Below are some foods that are known to cause or escalate heartburn.
1. Mint
Species of mint, like spearmint or peppermint, can improve digestion. However, they are proven to cause heartburn. If you experience heartburn after consuming mint or any product containing mint, you should consider removing it from your diet.
2. Foods with high fat
Do you get heartburn shortly after eating fries or pizza? High-fat foods are a significant cause of heartburn, especially greasy foods. Studies are still finding links between fatty foods and GERD, but fatty foods worsen heartburn by letting your body secrete substances that irritate your esophagus.
3. Chocolate
Ingredients in chocolate like caffeine and cacao increase esophageal exposure to acid and trigger heartburn. It is unclear if totally cutting off chocolate will benefit people with heartburn, but it has been proven to reduce symptoms in some people.
4. Spicy foods
Of all the foods that cause heartburn, spicy foods top the list. Spicy foods can irritate an already inflamed esophagus, which may cause heartburn or worsen existing heartburn symptoms. If you are a regular consumer of spicy foods and get the burning sensation in your chest every time, try to cut down your consumption and see if your symptoms subside.
