8 Things That Trigger Acid Reflux Or GERD

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As you get older, every organ in your body ages and can’t do the same job of processing foods as it once did.  This really is a fact of life.  Acid reflux and GERD are very common diseases that affect millions of people as they age. 

Acid Reflux is a backward flow of stomach acid into the espophagus (the tube that connects the throat and stomach).  Symptoms include tasting regurgitated food, sour liquid at the back of your throat and a burning sensation in the chest known as hearburn.

GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a more severe form of acid reflux.  Symptoms include frequent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, coughing and chest pain. in addition to the symptoms of acid reflux.

There are 8 things that you eat or drink that can have a significant impact on your health if you have acid reflux or GERD.

1.  Coffee/ Tea.  Any type of tea or coffee will exacerbate your acid problems.   If you can try cutting back on these and eventually elimininate them, you will notice a significant improvement in the way you feel.

2. Tomatos.   Forget those spaghetti dinners with rich marinara sauce, or ravioli mixed with red meat sauce.  Even the simple tomato soup can cause some serious problems.

3. Creamy foods.   Rich creamy foods are a major source of irritation for acid reflux sufferers.

4. Red meat.  Limit your intake of red meat every day.

5. Chocolate/sugar. 

6. Peppermint

7. Sodas – any type -diet, lo cal, no caffeine, etc.  

8. Lemons, lemonade

In short if you are experiencing the symptoms of acid reflux or gerd, try eliminating these 8 items from your diet and see if you feel any better.  I know that coffee and tea is a major source of irritation for me.  When I stop drinking coffee, I suddenly do not burp all day long.  Has to be a connection!

I woke up one morning and felt absolutely horrible.  I had major upper stomach pains and chest pains.  I looked back to what I had eaten the day before:  I was actually eating the diet to get acid reflux! 

Tons of coffee in morning

Huge bowl of cherry tomatoes

Tomato soup for lunch

Chips with tomato salsa

Diet coke for drink ( I almost never drink pop)

Macaroni and Cheese

Brownies

Hamburgers

Now I try to avoid eating too much of the above food –at least not all on the same day.  And if I do eat some of this food, I immediately try to counter-act it by drinking water mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda mixed in.