People who are suffering from acidity problems have to fight symptoms like heartburn and some severe stomach pain as well. Generally food gets transported from the oesophagus to the stomach followed by development of acid by the gastric glands to digest food. Whenever there is excess acid production it leads to heartburn which are the acidity signs. Acidity, also called acid reflux, is a health condition which shows its main symptoms in the lower chest.
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Foods causing heartburn
Heartburn is characterized by burning and painful sensation which takes place in the lower chest area. Following are the 7 foods which cause heartburn and should be eaten in moderate amount:
1. Onions
Onion is the most common food which causes heartburn in people. The raw onion consumed in food increases acid reflux in our body. They contain fermentable fibres which relaxes the sphincter in our oesophagus, thereby resulting in major heartburn issues.
2. Chocolate
Even chocolate contains various chemicals which are similar to coffee and tea which can cause heartburn. Acid reflux normally happens when sphincter is relaxed and juices further escape to oesophagus.
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3. Citrus juices
Citrus fruits including grapefruits, oranges and lemons are acidic in nature. Therefore it is advised to avoid them as they can cause heartburn, so add some water to the juice to avoid that.
4. Coffee
Coffee triggers acidity and heartburn when consumed in excess. It can even worsen the situation of the people who already have an acid reflux reaction. It increases acid levels which can lead to heartburn and heaviness in the stomach
5. Alcohol
Alcohol is very much responsible for heartburn. Under the alcohol influence our muscles relax and hence the acid moves upwards in the esophagus thereby causing acidity. Alcohol consumption triggers the development of Esophageal cancer.
6. Mint
Mints such as spearmint and peppermint irritate the esophagus lining. So it is best to avoid it altogether.
7. Spicy foods
Spicy foods increase heartburn in humans. Spicy foods contain capsaicin, which slows down the process of digestion in the gut. Hence it is best to avoid spicy foods.
Foods relieving heartburn
Foods which relieve symptoms of heartburn are:
1. Ginger
Ginger helps in providing relief to people suffering from gastrointestinal problems and further prevents stomach acid to move further in the esophagus. Ginger works well to treat heartburn. You can always drink hot ginger tea to get relief from heartburn symptoms thereby helping in preventing them to get the best results.
2. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is healthy for the body since it is an aid for weight loss. Further oatmeal is a rich fibre source which also means a reduced risk of heartburn and acid reflux. Thus Oatmeal helps in providing relief from heartburn.