What causes acidity?| Foods causing acid reflux

What-causes-acidity?-Foods-causing-acid-reflux

Lying down right after a meal or eating large meals or can cause acidity. You might experience heartburn, dry cough, or trouble in swallowing food. In this article, we will tell you about the top few acidic foods to avoid. 

Effects of eating too many acid-producing foods

Kidney Stones also known as Uric Acid Stones 

Bone and Muscle Deterioration  

Lower Bone Density

Esophageal Cancer

Liver Problems

Heart or Cardiovascular Disease

Various factors that might increase your risk of causing acid reflux disease are-

  1. Pregnancy – During the first time of pregnancy, several women experience acid reflux. The reason behind this is due to increasing levels of hormones coupled with pressure coming from the growing fetus. Generally, acid reflux occurs most during the third trimester, after delivery everything becomes normal.
  1. Alcohol- Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of esophageal cancer. The more you drink, the more is the risk. It’s even worse when you smoke and drink at a time.
Foods causing acid reflux
  1. Smoking- Smoking might result in acid reflux disease 
  • Causes reflexes in the throat
  • It harms mucus membranes
  • Lowers LES muscle function
  • Increases the risk of esophagus cancer
  • Increases acid secretion
  • Lower saliva excretion, which aids in neutralizing the effect of acid
  1. Stomach abnormalities (hiatal hernia)-  Hiatal hernia is a disease that occurs when the LES (lower esophageal sphincter)  and a top portion of the stomach shifts over the diaphragm. A study found that during acidity, muscle wall separates the stomach from the chest. If you suffer from hiatal hernia, it is easier for acid to move up into your esophagus.

Foods causing acid reflux 

These are some of the top few acidic foods to avoid:

Alcohol

Citrus fruits, such as oranges or lemons 

Sodas, Carbonated, and other sweetened beverages

Chocolate

Processed foods

Mint

Few dairy products

Fresh meats or processed meats

Fatty or Fried foods

Sugar

Fish

Coffee or tea (even decaffeinated)

Foods containing tomato

Spicy foods, especially food containing chili or curry 

Garlic and onions

Grains

• High-protein foods and supplements

What causes acidity?

Other causes 

Other common causes of acid reflux disease include:

• Being overweight

• Lying on your back or sleeping over at the stomach after a heavy meal

• Eating before bedtime 

• Taking blood pressure medications, aspirin, or some muscle relaxers.

Fruits high in acid

Some citrus is high in acid formation in our body which may cause gastrointestinal issues like an ulcer or Acid reflux. Here’s a list of fruits from high to low acidic level- 

Lemon Juice 

• Blue Plums 

• Grapes 

• Pomegranates 

• Grapefruits 

• Blueberries 

• Pineapples 

• Apples 

• Peaches 

• Mangoes 

• Oranges 

• Tomatoes

NOTE- Fruit juices are acidic, too. Therefore, you should use a straw while drinking fruit juices, so that the juice does not come in direct contact with your teeth.

Low-acid foods-

• Less acidic fruits

• Fresh vegetables, even fresh potatoes are less acidic

• Herbal teas

• Fats such as olive oil, seeds, nuts, and avocados

• Beans and lentils

• Soy, like soybeans, miso. 

• Whole grains, such as millet, quinoa, and amaranth

• Sugarless yogurt and milk