5 common foods to stay away from if you have heartburn often

Usually a symptom of acid reflux, heartburn can be painful and very uncomfortable. It is characterized by a painful burning feeling in the throat or chest. Heartburns happen when the acid in the stomach goes up into the esophagus (this is a tube that carries the food from the mouth into the stomach)

Heartburn can get worse due to lifestyle habits especially through foods taken in. Some food can help ease the discomfort and some can make it unbearable! If you constantly have heartburn, stay away or considerably reduce intake of these foods:

1. Coffee

Coffee contains caffeine that disrupts the entire stomach system. It also interferes with the acidity of the stomach which results in heartburn.

2. Carbonated drinks

Carbonated drinks/sodas cause/aggravate heartburn because they are highly acidic, interfering with the acid in the stomach causing it to rise thereby creating intense reaction and heartburn which causes discomfort.

3. Alcohol

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages cause heartburn/acid reflux. Alcohol relaxes the valve at the end of the oesophagus causing heartburn.

4. Chocolates

Chocolates are also a major cause of heartburn. Because they come primarily with cocoa they cause intestinal cells to relax which eventually causes heartburn.

5. Orange/Citrus fruits

Citrus acid reacts with stomach acid causing heartburn