Acid reflux occurs when the stomach contents move up into the esophagus and causes an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest. When a person has symptoms of acid reflux more than twice a week, it could be a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD can cause health complications, like difficulty swallowing, breathing problems including asthma or a chronic cough. The condition differs from person to person and so can its symptoms, but there are certain foods that are known to trigger GERD.

Trigger foods that experts and nutritionists consider as chief causes of GERD are:

1. Citrus fruits
Fruits like oranges, pineapples, and grapefruit should be avoided because they contain citric acid. It increases the acidity of an already upset stomach and esophagus.

2. Caffeinated drinks
We all love our tea and coffee. For many starting their day without caffeine is unheard of. But if you are prone to regular stomach issues, you need to avoid drinking caffeine. Experts suggest cutting down on the intake of caffeine gradually. Following their advice consistently, can help you avoid GERD effectively.

3. Garlic and onions
Garlic and onions are known as trigger foods for GERD and should be avoided if you easily are affected due to acidic digestion. These two easily open the valve between the stomach and esophagus, enabling the contents in the stomach to flow up to the esophagus.

4. Spicy food items
Consuming spicy food when suffering from GERD can be painful for some people when it comes to digestion. Experts advise people to avoid eating peppers and spicy food for good gut health. Spices increase the acid quantity, which causes trouble in the digestion process. This often leads to other problems, such as diarrhea.

It is recommended to eliminate spicy foods from your diet until your condition has completely cured. Once your gut health improves, you can gradually introduce spicy foods in small quantities. This will also help you understand how much spice your gut can handle.

5. Alcohol
Like pepper and spicy foods, consuming alcohol like red wine, especially on an empty stomach, opens up the sphincter, letting the acid reach the esophagus.

6. Carbonated drinks
These drinks are infamous trigger foods for GERD because of the gas present in them. If you are already going through a distended stomach, there are high chances of getting heartburn after consuming these beverages. As the consumption puts the esophageal sphincter under pressure, it causes the stomach’s acid to rise.

It is advised to consult a doctor about your diet. You should also consider clinical treatment if GERB doesn’t seem to get better, even with home remedies, as it could be a symptom of an underlying disease.