What foods commonly trigger heartburn. How can spicy and high-fat foods contribute to acid reflux symptoms. What are effective strategies for preventing and managing heartburn discomfort.

The Connection Between Spicy Foods and Heartburn

Spicy foods have long been associated with heartburn, but what exactly is the link? The relationship between spicy cuisine and acid reflux symptoms is twofold:

• Capsaicin, a compound found in many spicy foods, can slow down digestion. This causes food to remain in the stomach longer, increasing the risk of acid reflux.
• Spicy ingredients may irritate the esophagus directly, exacerbating heartburn symptoms in sensitive individuals.

For those with existing digestive issues like esophageal problems or ulcers, the effects of spicy foods on heartburn can be even more pronounced. However, this doesn’t mean spice lovers need to completely eliminate heat from their diets. Understanding your personal triggers and employing smart eating strategies can help you enjoy spicy foods while minimizing discomfort.

High-Fat Foods: A Major Culprit in Heartburn

While spicy foods often get the blame, high-fat foods are another significant contributor to heartburn symptoms. Why do fatty foods pose such a problem for acid reflux sufferers?

1. Slower digestion: High-fat foods take longer for the stomach to process compared to proteins and carbohydrates. This extended presence in the stomach leads to increased acid production.
2. Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation: Regular consumption of high-fat foods can cause the LES to relax. This crucial muscle group normally prevents stomach contents from entering the esophagus. When it’s compromised, acid can more easily travel upwards, causing irritation.

Examples of high-fat foods that may trigger heartburn include:

• Fried foods (breaded chicken, fish, French fries)
• Deep-fried snacks (chicken wings, mozzarella sticks)
• Processed baked goods
• Greasy chips and snack foods

Limiting these foods or finding healthier alternatives can significantly reduce heartburn occurrences for many individuals.

Specific Foods Known to Trigger Heartburn

Beyond spicy and high-fat options, several specific foods are notorious for causing heartburn in susceptible individuals. Understanding these common triggers can help you make informed dietary choices:

Tomatoes and Tomato-Based Products

Why do tomatoes cause heartburn for many people? The culprit lies in their high acidity. Tomatoes contain both malic and citric acids, which can increase stomach acid production. This excess acid can then back up into the esophagus, resulting in the characteristic burning sensation of heartburn.

Onions

Despite their culinary versatility, onions can be problematic for heartburn sufferers. How do onions contribute to acid reflux? They have the potential to relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to travel upwards more easily.

High-Fat Cheese

Cheese lovers beware: high-fat varieties can exacerbate heartburn symptoms. The fat content slows stomach emptying, increasing pressure and potentially forcing acid into the esophagus.

Coffee

For many, the morning cup of coffee is non-negotiable. However, frequent or high-quantity consumption of caffeine can impact the lower esophageal muscles, leading to relaxation and increased acid reflux.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains cocoa, which is rich in serotonin. While this might sound positive, serotonin can actually relax the esophageal muscles, potentially worsening heartburn symptoms.

Peppermint

Surprisingly, peppermint – often associated with digestive relief – can be problematic for those with GERD or frequent heartburn. It relaxes the digestive tract, including the lower esophageal muscles, which can worsen reflux symptoms.

Effective Strategies for Heartburn Prevention

While identifying trigger foods is crucial, there are numerous other strategies you can employ to prevent or minimize heartburn:

Portion Control: The Power of Eating Less

How can simply eating less help prevent heartburn? Smaller portions reduce the pressure on your stomach and lower esophageal sphincter, decreasing the likelihood of acid reflux. Consider using smaller plates or dividing your usual portions to naturally consume less at each sitting.

Timing Matters: The Benefits of Early and Frequent Meals

When you eat can be just as important as what you eat. Consuming your largest meal earlier in the day and opting for more frequent, smaller meals can help manage heartburn. This approach keeps your stomach from becoming overly full and reduces the production of excess stomach acid.

Harnessing Gravity: Post-Meal Posture

After eating, resist the urge to lie down or recline. Staying upright for at least three hours after a meal allows gravity to assist in keeping stomach contents where they belong. If you must lie down, try elevating your head and upper body with pillows to create a slight incline.

The Surprising Benefits of Chewing Gum

Can something as simple as chewing gum really help with heartburn? Surprisingly, yes. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can stimulate saliva production, which helps neutralize stomach acid and promote swallowing. This extra swallowing can help clear acid from the esophagus more quickly.

Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Heartburn Frequency

Beyond dietary adjustments, several lifestyle modifications can significantly impact your experience with heartburn:

Weight Management

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for managing heartburn. Excess weight, especially around the abdomen, can put pressure on the stomach and lower esophageal sphincter, increasing the likelihood of acid reflux. Even modest weight loss can lead to noticeable improvements in heartburn symptoms.

Smoking Cessation

Smoking has numerous negative health effects, and its impact on heartburn is no exception. How does smoking contribute to acid reflux? It can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, making it easier for stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. Quitting smoking or reducing tobacco use can lead to significant improvements in heartburn symptoms.

Stress Reduction

While stress doesn’t directly cause acid reflux, it can exacerbate symptoms and lead to behaviors that trigger heartburn (such as overeating or consuming more alcohol). Implementing stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or regular exercise can indirectly help manage heartburn by promoting overall digestive health.

Clothing Choices

Believe it or not, what you wear can impact your likelihood of experiencing heartburn. Tight clothing, especially around the abdomen, can put unnecessary pressure on your stomach. Opting for looser-fitting garments can help reduce this pressure and minimize acid reflux occurrences.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Heartburn

While occasional heartburn is common and often manageable with lifestyle changes, persistent or severe symptoms may warrant medical attention. When should you consult a healthcare provider about your heartburn?

• Symptoms occur more than twice a week
• Over-the-counter medications don’t provide relief
• You experience difficulty swallowing
• You have persistent nausea or vomiting
• You notice unexplained weight loss
• You experience persistent hoarseness or wheezing

A gastroenterologist can help diagnose underlying conditions like GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) and develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Debunking Common Heartburn Myths

Misinformation about heartburn is widespread, leading to confusion and potentially ineffective management strategies. Let’s address some common misconceptions:

Myth: Milk Always Soothes Heartburn

While milk can provide temporary relief by coating the esophagus and neutralizing acid, it can actually stimulate acid production in the long run. Low-fat or fat-free milk is a better option if you do reach for dairy.

Myth: Heartburn Only Affects Older Adults

Heartburn can occur at any age, though it may become more common as we get older. Factors like diet, weight, and pregnancy can contribute to heartburn in younger individuals as well.

Myth: Heartburn Is Just a Minor Annoyance

While occasional heartburn may be merely uncomfortable, frequent or severe heartburn can lead to more serious conditions like esophagitis or Barrett’s esophagus. It’s important to address chronic heartburn with a healthcare provider.

Myth: You Should Completely Eliminate Trigger Foods

While identifying trigger foods is important, complete elimination isn’t always necessary. Many people can still enjoy trigger foods in moderation by employing smart eating strategies and timing.

Understanding the true nature of heartburn and its triggers can empower you to make informed decisions about your diet and lifestyle. By separating fact from fiction, you can develop a more effective approach to managing your symptoms.

Alternative and Complementary Approaches to Heartburn Relief

While lifestyle changes and medication are the primary approaches to managing heartburn, some individuals find relief through alternative or complementary methods. It’s important to note that the effectiveness of these approaches can vary, and you should always consult with a healthcare provider before trying new treatments.

Herbal Remedies

Several herbs have been traditionally used to alleviate digestive discomfort, including heartburn:

• Licorice root: May increase the mucus coating of the esophageal lining, providing protection against stomach acid.
• Chamomile: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, chamomile tea may help soothe the digestive tract.
• Marshmallow root: This herb can create a protective coating in the digestive tract, potentially reducing irritation.

While these herbs show promise, more research is needed to conclusively prove their effectiveness for heartburn relief.

Acupuncture and Acupressure

Some studies suggest that acupuncture may help reduce symptoms of acid reflux and improve overall digestive function. Acupressure, which involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, is another technique that some find helpful for managing heartburn symptoms.

Relaxation Techniques

Stress can exacerbate heartburn symptoms, so relaxation techniques may indirectly help manage acid reflux. Practices like deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery can help reduce stress and promote overall digestive health.

Probiotics

While not directly related to heartburn, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome through probiotic supplementation or fermented foods may contribute to overall digestive health. Some research suggests that probiotics could help with symptoms of acid reflux, though more studies are needed.

When exploring alternative approaches, it’s crucial to remember that these should complement, not replace, conventional medical advice. Always discuss new treatments or supplements with your healthcare provider, especially if you’re taking other medications.

By combining evidence-based lifestyle changes, identifying personal trigger foods, and exploring complementary approaches under medical supervision, many individuals can effectively manage their heartburn symptoms and enjoy a wider variety of foods without discomfort. Remember, the key is to find a balanced approach that works for your unique situation and promotes long-term digestive health.

Foods that Cause Heartburn | Austin Gastroenterology

Heartburn is an unpleasant issue that may cause you to experience chest pain, ingestion, acidity, or a bitter taste in your mouth. The pain may worsen when you bend over or lie down.

Heartburn typically develops after you eat certain foods or if you eat too much. While there are many treatments for heartburn, the best way to reduce symptoms and keep the condition under control is by avoiding foods that cause it.

Here are some foods your doctor may recommend limiting if you have heartburn.

Spicy Foods

Spicy foods are notorious for causing heartburn. The reason is twofold. First, many spicy foods contain capsaicin, which slows down digestion and causes food to sit in the stomach longer. The longer food is in the stomach, the more risk of you having heartburn. Second, spicy food can irritate the esophagus, which can worsen heartburn symptoms. People who have heartburn, esophageal issues, or an ulcer often experience heartburn quicker and with more intensity when eating spicy foods than others do.

High-Fat Foods

High-fat foods are known to cause heartburn, as well. These foods take longer for your stomach to process then compared to proteins and carbohydrates. Since they’re in your stomach longer, your stomach produces more acid, which leads to digestive system irritation.

Not to mention, if you consume high-fat foods regularly, they can cause your lower esophageal sphincter to relax. The lower esophageal sphincter is a group of muscles located toward the bottom of your esophagus. The muscles close to prevent your stomach contents and acid from entering your esophagus. When they relax, acid can travel up your esophagus and irritate it. This can cause permanent damage when it happens frequently.

Examples of unhealthy, high-fat foods include fried foods like breaded chicken and fish, deep-fried French fries and chicken wings, and doughnuts. Processed baked goods and chips are also foods with a high concentration of fat. 

Specific Foods to Avoid

Many specific foods can trigger heartburn symptoms. Talk to your doctor about whether limiting consumption of such foods could help reduce your symptoms. Examples include:

·      Tomatoes and Tomato-Based Products Tomatoes and foods made from tomatoes, like spaghetti sauce, have a lot of acidity. They have both malic and citric acids, which can cause heartburn in many. The extra acid can cause too much gastric acid in the stomach. As the acid rises, it backs up into the esophagus, which causes a burning sensation in the chest.

·      Onions Onions work well in a variety of dishes, whether they’re sauteed or caramelized. However, some people may experience heartburn when they consume it. Onion has the potential to relax your lower esophageal sphincter, which allows acid to travel from your stomach into your esophagus.

• High-Fat Cheese High-fat cheese is another food that can contribute to heartburn because the fat content decreases the speed at which your stomach empties. Therefore, the pressure from your stomach will force acid from your stomach into your esophagus.

·      Coffee Your morning cup o’ joe may lead to heartburn. When you consume coffee in a high quantity or frequently, the caffeine may impact your lower esophageal muscles. It causes them to relax and allow stomach acid to enter the esophagus.

·      Chocolate Most chocolates contain cocoa. Cocoa has serotonin, which may also relax your esophageal muscles and lead to heartburn.

·      Peppermint  Foods and drinks containing peppermint are known to help ease nausea and indigestion because it relaxes your digestive tract. This is not good for people who have gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) or those who experience heartburn, because it relaxes the lower esophageal muscles. Peppermint may also worsen reflux symptoms if you have a hiatal hernia.

At Austin Gastroenterology, our practitioners are dedicated to getting to the root of your heartburn and other unpleasant digestive issues. When you work with us, you can expect expert care, a quick and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment solutions.

Book an appointment with Austin Gastroenterology, serving Austin and the nearby Texas region, if you have frequent bouts of heartburn. Call one of our locations today, or request an appointment online. We look forward to serving you soon!

Heartburn Prevention

You don’t have to stop eating spicy foods just because you have heartburn.

Written by Peter Jaret

• Preventing Heartburn: Recognize Your Own Heartburn Triggers
• Dispelling Myths About Heartburn Triggers
• Heartburn Prevention: Eat Smaller Servings
• Heartburn Prevention: Eat Early and Often
• Heartburn Prevention: Rely on Gravity
• Heartburn Prevention: Chew Gum
• Heartburn Prevention: Get Healthy
• More

“How hot would you like that?” the server at my favorite Thai restaurant asks. My taste buds whisper: fiery. My belly moans, What about me?

I love a hot, spicy meal. But an hour later, like many people, I can end up wishing I’d never lifted my fork. The culprit? Heartburn and acid reflux. Officially known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, acid reflux occurs when food and stomach acids escape up into the esophagus through the valve at the top of the stomach. That causes the burning sensation that can sometimes rise up into the throat, known as heartburn.

Surveys of heartburn sufferers suggest spicy foods are among of the worst offenders. Whether spicy foods deserve their reputation is controversial, I’ve discovered. Many different foods can trigger heartburn.But luckily, you don’t have to say no to Chinese kung pao chicken, Mexican salsa, or fiery Thai noodle dishes. A few practical tips can help you put out the fire of heartburn before it starts.

Researchers have compiled a long list of foods that seem to trigger heartburn. These include alcohol, citrus fruits and juices, carbonated beverages, coffee and caffeine, chocolate, tomato sauce, fatty foods, mint, and, of course, spicy foods.

“But no single food stands out,” says Anish Sheth, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Yale University and co-author of What’s Your Poo Telling You? “For some people, the same food can cause problems after one meal but not after others. ”

In theory, foods most likely to cause acid reflux and symptoms of heartburn are those that cause the valve at the top of the stomach to relax. Mint, alcohol, and caffeinated coffee, among other foods, are believed to have that effect.

Yet when gastroenterologist Lauren B. Gerson, MD, an associate professor of medicine at Stanford University, and colleagues looked at trials designed to test the effects of these and other particular foods on heartburn symptoms, they found very little evidence to support the associations.

Even spicy foods may not deserve their reputation as being the worst culprits. Sure they taste hot, but that doesn’t mean they cause acid reflux. They may simply irritate the stomach.

“Still,” Gerson says, “it’s commonsense that if a particular food happens to cause you problems, the best advice is to avoid it.”

Since even heartburn sufferers can be misled by popular misconceptions, experts recommend keeping a food diary for several weeks.

“As soon as heartburn strikes, jot down what and how much you ate,” suggests dietitian Elaine Magee, author of Tell Me What to Eat If I Have Acid Reflux. “Also keep track of foods you thought might cause trouble but don’t. That way you won’t have to eliminate foods unnecessarily.”

Not ready to let heartburn force you to say no to salsa caliente? The next best strategy, then, is to limit the amount you eat.

“When you eat a large meal, pressure on the valve increases. So there’s a predisposition to reflux after a big meal,” Sheth says. The problem is worse if the meal causes you to belch, since that requires the valve at the top of the stomach to open. When it does, it allows trapped air to escape, sometimes bringing up acidic stomach contents along with it. For some people, drinking carbonated beverages along with a meal can exacerbate the problem.

Fatty meals can also increase the risk of reflux. “Eating fatty foods delays stomach emptying, since fat takes longer to digest,” explains Gerson. “The longer food remains in the stomach, the more chance there is of reflux.” To help prevent heartburn and GERD, choose roasted, grilled, or baked foods over fried foods, and go easy on butter.

Some heartburn sufferers find relief by eating smaller meals distributed more frequently throughout the day — a light breakfast, a midmorning snack, a light lunch followed by a midafternoon snack, for example. Scheduling dinner early can also help.

About 50% of heartburn sufferers have nighttime reflux, according to Gerson. This form can be especially unpleasant because when you’re lying down, more stomach contents can flow up into the esophagus. Nighttime reflux can also disturb sleep. Gerson’s tip? Eat dinner at least three hours before bedtime. That’s enough time to allow the stomach to empty before you hit the pillow.

Another way to relieve nighttime reflux requires nothing more than two wood blocks. Elevating the head of your bed a few inches enlists gravity to help keep stomach contents from rising, Sheth says. You can also use a wedge-shaped pillow to elevate your upper body at night. For daytime heartburn, the best way to employ gravity is to remain upright after a meal. Walking after a big meal can also help. But don’t overdo it. Some research links vigorous exercise to an increase in reflux risk.

Saliva helps move food down through the esophagus and can ease the symptoms of heartburn. To increase salivation, try chewing gum after a meal or an attack of heartburn. Avoid mint-flavored gums, however, since these may relax the valve at the top of the stomach.

The most reliable ways to avoid GERD may be the hardest to accomplish: quit smoking if you smoke and lose weight if you’re overweight. Studies show that smokers are more prone to heartburn than nonsmokers. And the longer people smoke, the more likely they are to suffer acid reflux.

Being overweight can add to the pressure on the valve between the stomach and the esophagus. One study showed that every increase of 5 on the body mass index increases the risk of GERD by 1.2%. Eating smaller portions and walking after a meal can help you shed pounds at the same time they help prevent heartburn.

Top Picks

The benefits and harms of spicy food for the human body: myths and truth about spicy food – October 31, 2021

Some add hot peppers to food to lose weight. But does it make any sense?

Photo: Daria Selenskaya / Network of city portals

Share

Doctors often quote Paracelsus and say that “everything is poison, everything is medicine; both are determined by the dose. But what if some foods are a definite poison? Here is an example of a sharp one. Some people can’t stand it, while others can’t have a meal without it. But is it worth it to constantly wind up peppers, spices and seasonings? Why does acute heartburn appear? And is it true that such food can damage the receptors? We asked these and other questions to our experts – gastroenterologists and nutritionists.

This is partly true. For example, hot spices such as habanero, jalapeno, and cayenne pepper have been proven to help with weight loss. The effect is easily explained by the influence of spices on metabolism. They speed up the metabolism and make the body burn energy faster and more efficiently. And this, in turn, leads to weight loss.

And it’s all about capsaicin – the very substance that is responsible for burning in the mouth. It can also speed up metabolism and reduce appetite.

— The substances contained in hot spices reduce the level of triglycerides in the blood, increase the number of enzymes in the liver that are involved in fat metabolism, speed up metabolism, activate the process of fat oxidation, says nutritionist Polina Topilina. – Capsaicin neutralizes chronic inflammation caused by fat cells and reduces the production of the hormone ghrelin, which is responsible for the feeling of hunger.

Polina Topilina — nutritionist, doctor of the 1st category.

But don’t think you can lose weight just by adding pepper to your diet. A calorie deficit will always be responsible for weight loss, not pepper. In addition, scientists have found that spicy lovers develop a kind of immunity to the product, so its fat-burning properties are minimized.

“Any spicy spices stimulate the secretion of gastric juice,” says Polina Topilina. – This, in turn, improves blood flow to the walls of the stomach and helps to restore its mucous membrane. At the same time, the substance capsaicin contained in hot peppers fights bacteria that can enter the digestive tract with food.

Foods and spices such as chili, cumin, ginger and garlic kill most of the causative agents of gastrointestinal infections, E. coli and bacteria. But do not try spicy food to be treated. Except for prevention. And even then, if you have no contraindications.

– The human body, especially gastroprofile patients, will react very violently to a garlic libation – an irritating effect may form, it will be difficult with the pancreas, an exacerbation of gastritis may appear, – says gastroenterologist Galina Bartashevich. – I do not recommend trying on yourself whether you will have gastritis with garlic belching or not. For those who cannot imagine food without garlic, and the stomach is already suffering, there is a standard culinary technique when a salad plate is simply wiped from the inside with a clove of garlic. Or grate a toast with a clove of garlic. The gastrointestinal tract takes this quite calmly.

Galina Bartashevich — gastroenterologist of the highest category, pediatric gastroenterologist, nutritionist, candidate of sciences.

If nature has rewarded you with these diseases, stay away from spicy things.

Infographics: Vitaly Kalistratov / Network of city portals But only if you seriously overdo it with spices. It happens like this: excess gastric juice (and spices increase its secretion) can enter the esophagus and cause an unpleasant burning sensation. If there is acute in small quantities, this will not happen. So don’t blame spicy food for everything. There can be many reasons for your heartburn.

Our body has many causes for heartburn, even without acute

Infographics: Vitaly Kalistratov / Network of city portals

Share

If heartburn has tormented you, don’t diagnose yourself and don’t experiment with food. Better go to the doctor. As planned. The doctor will conduct a comprehensive examination and establish the causes of the development of symptoms.

“First of all, the diagnosis-exclusion is functional non-ulcer dyspepsia, that is, an episode of heartburn occurred, but does not recur and is explained by eating disorders,” says gastroenterologist Galina Bartashevich. – More serious is the manifestation of the so-called acid-dependent diseases – this is gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, chronic pancreatitis. All these diseases require treatment, and not just relief of the symptom.

If you have had heartburn once a week or more frequently for the past 12 months, it could be reflux disease.

— For the treatment of acid-dependent diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, a course of various groups of drugs is used, among which the main place is occupied by proton pump inhibitors, — adds gastroenterologist Dmitry Karpenko. – Of course, it is necessary to correct risk factors, change lifestyle and eating habits.

Dmitry Karpenko — Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of Polyclinic Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education Russian National Research Medical University. N. I. Pirogova, general practitioner, gastroenterologist.

Only if you cannot live without spicy food and eat it every time for breakfast, lunch and dinner in industrial quantities.

— An excess of spicy food can lead to the development of gastritis — inflammation of the stomach lining — says Polina Topilina. – It is usually caused by an infection, but regular irritation of the stomach walls with spicy foods can lead to a decrease in their protective barrier.

Doctors agree that spicy food does not provoke gastritis by itself, but causes pain in people with existing problems. Acute increases the secretion of acid in the stomach, and with gastritis, its mucosa is already poorly protected.

If you abuse spices, there is a chance that you will lose your taste for a while. However, this does not mean at all that you will never feel anything again. To protect the body from pain, capsaicin causes numbness in the mouth and loss of sensation. Taste buds send a signal to the brain about a burning sensation in the mouth, and it begins to produce endorphins to block the unpleasant sensations. This is what causes numbness.

This is not the first time we have had to deal with myths and truths about popular products. During the existence of our column “Interesting about food”, so many of them have accumulated that it seems time to refresh our memory of what we did before.

For example, we analyzed the composition of hematogen and the pineapple diet, tried to find a connection between the seeds of appendicitis – that’s the whole truth about popular products that you don’t want to know.

Asked obvious and strange questions about chickens and eggs to a former poultry farm manager, breaking 9egg myths.

Learned why it is better not to drink juice for breakfast and not to give it to children.

We also researched various products together with experts. And they found 7 myths about healthy food that will ruin your appetite. Then 6 products turned out to be pseudo-useful, and breakfast generally let everyone down.

Increased acidity of the stomach: spicy food is to blame

Nutrition

What will you eat this week? Mustard? Spicy chicken? Korean salads? Many of us love to eat something spicy, but does everyone like heartburn? Stomach acidity is not an inevitable consequence of eating spicy food, but it can ruin your evening. Why?

Why spicy foods can cause heartburn

Heartburn is known to be associated with spicy foods. There are many explanations for this:

• Mild sauces like satsebeli and curry contain peppers and tomatoes that can cause heartburn.
• Spicy foods can exacerbate heartburn symptoms if the lining of the lower esophagus is already irritated by stomach acid. ¹
• The muscles of the upper part of the stomach help keep its contents inside. If we consume food that relaxes these muscles, stomach acid can enter the esophagus and cause heartburn. Certain foods – fatty, spicy, high in oil and acid – can have this relaxing effect. ^2.3
• Spicy and fatty foods (particularly dishes with curry sauce or spicy sausage) are difficult to digest, which can increase the amount of gastric juice and cause heartburn.

What food should I avoid with heartburn?

If you experience stomach discomfort every time you eat spicy food, then you probably already know what foods to avoid. However, it is worth revisiting this list again.

• Onions and garlic – these are found in most spicy dishes, but those where onions are present raw are especially dangerous.
• Tomatoes and peppers – found in curry sauce, chili sauce and many others.
• Black pepper – found in many dishes (and not only hot ones). It rarely causes severe flare-ups of heartburn.
• Citrus – found in many Mediterranean dishes, such as tagine.
• Meat – the fatter the meat, the faster it will cause heartburn – for example, lamb in curry sauce.
• Cooking oil, such as ghee or fat, is used in curry sauces and in many other dishes.

Avoid foods that cause heartburn

To protect yourself from heartburn, it is best to carefully study the composition of the dish that you are going to eat. If you prefer to eat out, ask a chef, a waiter, or a friend who invited you to dinner at an unfamiliar place for advice. If heartburn caught you right during a meal, it is better to refuse the dish that caused this.

Perhaps the problem of heartburn is new to you, and you still do not know the list of foods that are potentially dangerous for your stomach. If heartburn has taken you by surprise, Gaviscon 9 may help0101 ® Double Action. It will help you get rid of your painful symptoms so that you can safely continue to enjoy a delicious lunch. Gaviscon ^® Dual Action ⁴ acts quickly to form a protective barrier in the stomach. This barrier prevents stomach acid from entering the esophagus, protecting the lining of the esophagus from irritation. The drug thus reduces irritation of the mucous membrane. Gaviscon ^® Dual Action also has a fairly long-lasting effect of over four hours ⁵ to help alleviate the discomfort of heartburn and indigestion.

In conclusion, let’s say – eat with pleasure. However, if your diet often includes spicy foods, do not forget about the possible consequences, be careful about the composition of the food.

Method of administration and doses

Suspension: Adults and children over 12 years: 10-20 ml after meals and at bedtime up to 4 times a day

Maximum daily dose – 80 ml

Tablets: Adults and children over 12 years old: 2-4 tablets after meals and at bedtime up to 4 times a day

Maximum daily dose – 16 tablets 002 All information provided not intended for diagnosis or prescription of medications. For more information about Gaviscon ^® , read the instructions for use. In case of complications or prolonged course of the disease, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

¹ Maev I.V., Samsonov A.A., Dicheva D.T., Andreev D.N., Andreev N.G., Buragina T.A. Current approaches to diet therapy for diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract // “Medical Bulletin of the Ministry of Internal Affairs” No. 4 (59). 2012. pp. 57–61.

² Rohof W.