Why do peppers give me heartburn

Specific foods may aggravate and contribute to heartburn, but there is no research to indicate that any certain food is the underlying cause. The American College of Gastroenterology's clinical guidelines, published in the "American Journal of Gastroenterology," do not recommend eliminating entire groups of foods if they do not cause symptoms.

It is more important to identify the foods that personally trigger heartburn and eliminate those foods from the diet. Other recommendations that may help ease symptoms include weight loss, avoiding large meals, not lying down immediately after eating and smoking cessation.

If symptoms of heartburn are persistent, rather than occasional, are severe or are causing a fear of eating or weight loss, see a medical doctor as soon as possible.

Also see a doctor if you're experiencing heartburn with nausea or vomiting, bad breath, difficulty swallowing or abdominal pain, since this could indicate a more serious problem.

For persistent acid reflux, a doctor can recommend lifestyle changes, suggest medication to suppress stomach acid, or enlist the help of a registered dietitian who can evaluate the current diet and recommend modifications.

Health Digestive Conditions Heartburn. Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian nutritionist, writer, blogger, recipe developer, and college instructor. Spicy foods from takeaways or restaurants often also contain onions and fats that can cause heartburn. It may be preferable to prepare curries and chili dishes at home from scratch and use milder spices or fresh herbs instead.

People can also try adding coconut milk to curry to make it less spicy. Experts advise that fatty and fried foods take longer to digest, increasing the pressure on the esophageal sphincter. The sphincter then opens, and acid flows into the throat. According to the American College of Gastroenterology ACG , acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits can irritate the lining of a damaged esophagus.

People can try avoiding lemons, oranges, and grapefruits, opting for other fruits, such as berries, melons, and strawberries, instead. People should also limit their consumption of orange juice and other citrus juices. Either a pesto sauce or olive oil and fresh herbs can replace a tomato-based sauce to make a pasta dish less acidic.

Alternatively, adding a little baking soda to tomato-based sauces can help neutralize some of the acids. Sodas contain gas that can force open the lower esophageal sphincter and cause a person to burp. The sugar in sodas can ferment in the stomach and cause more gas and bloating.

In a pilot study , participants who ate vegetable protein had less acid reflux an hour after the meal than those who ate meat. According to the study, saturated fats and animal protein may negatively affect digestive acid and hormones, as well as the constriction of the esophageal sphincter.

People may experience more symptoms when eating fatty meat or meat fried in fats. However, they may be able to eat lean meats, such as turkey and chicken, as part of their diet. Research in indicated that alcoholic beverages relax the lower esophageal sphincter and stimulate gastric acid secretion. In the study, beer, red wine, and white wine all caused reflux.

Some people may experience symptoms after one alcoholic drink, but others may tolerate moderate amounts. A person will need to work out their own limits. Peppermint oil relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter and can cause reflux and heartburn. When doctors give people peppermint oil for symptoms of IBS, it is enteric coated, which allows it to bypass the esophagus and enter the stomach where the body breaks it down. According to the ACG , chocolate can be a trigger for heartburn.

If this is the case, a person may wish to avoid:. Herbs like basil, cilantro, oregano, rosemary, ginger, and thyme are flavorful substitutes for spices like cayenne, curry, cinnamon, and nutmeg, which can aggravate symptoms.

Spicy foods such as jalapeno peppers sometimes trigger heartburn in individuals. In addition, other foods such as garlic and onions may cause the same problems.

Even peppermint may cause heartburn in some individuals because mint relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter. Reduce sugar and processed junk food—Sugar is a common cause of heartburn , and eating large amounts of processed foods and sugars will exacerbate it.

Replace your carbohydrate sources—Eat lots of carbohydrates from vegetables and fruits instead of bread , pasta, cereal, crackers and baked goods. Why do peppers give me heartburn? Category: medical health digestive disorders. Is milk good for heartburn? Do peppers cause acid reflux? What foods neutralize stomach acid?

What are the best things to drink when you have acid reflux? What to Drink for Acid Reflux. Herbal tea. Do bell peppers give you gas? Does water help heartburn? What sweets can you eat with acid reflux? Sweets and desserts. Sugar, honey, jelly, jam, syrup, marshmallows. Is honey good for acid reflux? Can Salt and pepper cause acid reflux? What snacks are good for acid reflux? Non-citrus fruits. One study from Thailand suggested that regular consumption of hot peppers might help control symptoms of reflux Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility , April, More recently a paper presented at the Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association reviewed research on the cardiovascular effects of hot peppers.

Another Testimonial on Peppers for Heartburn: Q. Rate this article star-full star-empty star-full star-empty star-full star-empty star-full star-empty star-full star-empty star-full star-empty star-full star-empty star-full star-empty star-full star-empty star-full star-empty. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology.

She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies. Read Terry's Full Bio. Citations Gonlachanvit S, "Are rice and spicy diet good for functional gastrointestinal disorders? DOI: Join over , Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.

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