It seems that alcohol is one of the main things that cause acid reflux. Not good news for those of us who like to drink. But don't worry, it's probably just too much drinking that's to blame. It's thought that a couple of glasses of wine with dinner won't hurt you, but people disagree about whether red or white wine is better. I think white wine is more acidic than red wine, so I thought it was more likely to cause acid reflux. But the acidity of the alcohol may not matter if it stops the oesophageal sphincter from working properly and lets stomach acid back up into the oesophagus. Even so, if you drink alcohol, don't drink too much and dilute spirits with water or a mixer. Water or lemonade can also be used to water down wine. Champagne and beer are both gassy drinks that you should try to avoid if you can.
Alcohol isn't the only thing that can stop the oesophageal sphincter from working properly. Chocolate, peppermint, coffee, tea, caffeinated soft drinks like colas, and citrus fruit juices can all do the same thing. If you can't give up these things completely, limit them as much as possible.
When you chew gum or eat hard candies, you swallow a lot of air, which can cause gas and reflux.
Fatty and fried foods also take longer for the stomach to empty, so avoid fatty meats like salamis, sausages, and pates that you might find at a delicatessen. Full-fat milk and other dairy products are called "fatty" (cheese, cream, butter, margarine). Tomatoes and spices like fresh, dried, or powdered chilies, as well as their derivatives like Tabasco, can make the condition worse in some people. Care should also be taken with Worcestershire and soy sauces, as well as any kind of horseradish or mustard.
The good news is that you can eat fruits, vegetables (except tomatoes), chicken and turkey (without the skin), fish, apples, peaches, melons, pears, and berries with some freedom. You can eat skim or semi-skim milk, low-fat spreads, and cottage cheese in moderation. You can also drink so much water that you float!
You can also do the following to avoid or treat acid reflux:
Don't eat big meals; it's better to eat little meals often.
Don't eat too late in the evening.
Don't lay down or bend over right after eating.
Put wood blocks under the bed's head to raise it about six inches.
Try not to wear clothes that are too tight around your stomach and stomach area.
The lower oesophageal muscle gets weaker when you smoke, so stop! It's not good for you anyway.
If you need to, lose weight. Not only does eating all the foods you should avoid lead to obesity, but it also makes acid reflux worse.
In the end, everyone is different, and foods that some people can eat but others can't cause terrible stomach pain. Only you can tell, so be smart and stay away from foods that make things worse.
