Acid reflux is when bile causes a burning sensation known as heartburn because it flows back to your food pipe. There are various reasons why acid reflux occurs including certain foods.

Here are some foods to avoid acid reflux:

Chocolate
Chocolate contains cocoa which enables the acid in the stomach to easily flow back, thereby increasing the risk of acid reflux. It also contains caffeine and theobromine which can make your symptoms worse.

Coffee and tea
Coffee and tea can pose a problem if you have acid reflux. Since both of these increase the acidity levels in your stomach, they can lead to heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms. Coffee and tea can promote the backflow of bile which is why you should avoid consuming these or limit their intake to once or twice a week.

High-fat foods
High-fat foods to avoid for acid reflux include fried and fast. High-fat foods including meat have higher fat content which takes time to digest. These can cause stomach problems leading to worsening of acid-reflux related problems.

Spicy foods
While you might love to eat spicy foods, it is best if you avoid them if you suffer from acid reflux. Spicy foods can cause stomach issues that can lead to an onset of acid reflux symptoms.

Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits are high on acidic levels. This can make your acid reflux symptoms worse as they affect your digestive tract. This is particularly true if you have them on an empty stomach. Instead of consuming citrus fruits, you can consume other foods such as bananas which are healthy and which won’t make your symptoms worse.

Carbonated drinks
Carbonated drinks are one of the foods to avoid for acid reflux. They have bubbles that expand when they are in your stomach. This process leads to pain and pressure in your stomach which is not good if you already have acid reflux. They increase the acid in your stomach which can cause acid reflux symptoms.

Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain citric acid, ascorbic acid, and malic acid which are not good for people with acid reflux. Consuming them can lead to heartburn as they boost the production of gastric acid in your body. It is best if you avoid them.

Cheese
Cheese is not that good for you especially if you are prone to acid reflux symptoms. It can lead to heartburn because when your stomach digests cheese it releases a range of acids. These make it simpler for the acids to go back up. High-fat cheese such as parmesan and cheddar should be completely avoided.

Garlic
Garlic is one of the foods to avoid for acid reflux. Garlic slows down the rate at which your stomach empties and can contribute to acid reflux symptoms. Consuming garlic in small quantities won’t do much harm but you want to make sure you are keeping a tab on how much garlic you are consuming daily.

Alcohol
Research shows that alcohol consumption can damage your body including your esophagus and stomach. Alcohol prevents the proper functioning of your organs. It can even lead to acid reflux. You should consider quitting alcohol or limiting your intake of alcohol to at least a drink or two per week.