Most heartburn sufferers know to stay away from grease, fats and have at least some idea about the foods that make their heartburn worse. But some of your favorite foods may be contributing to your lingering heartburn problems. Do you love any of these foods?
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits, like oranges and lemons, are one of the top culprits for causing heartburn. The acidity in these fruits causes heartburn, but because most people drink orange juice or have half a grapefruit with breakfast in the morning, they may not realize the fruit is the issue. Look for juice with low acidity and avoid drinking it on an empty stomach.
Peppermint
You’ve probably heard that peppermint is good for an upset stomach, but in fact, peppermint can contribute to heartburn because it relaxes the muscle between your stomach and esophagus, which makes it easier for stomach acid to travel up your esophagus. So, nix the after-dinner mint, and switch from peppermint to ginger tea.
Coffee
Bad news for coffee addicts: the caffeine in coffee contributes to heartburn in many individuals. Coffee is acidic, which combines with the caffeine to create worse heartburn than the caffeine in soft drinks or tea might cause. You don’t have to give up coffee, but you should cut down to one cup a day if you can. Try mixing in some decaf to help kick the habit.
Keep a food and heartburn diary so that you can identify your heartburn triggers. You may not need to cut out these foods completely to reduce your heartburn. Plus, balancing the rest of your diet with foods that are safe for your stomach will help even if you simply can’t give up your morning OJ or coffee.
