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If you’re a lover of cookies, but you’ve been wondering if chocolate chip cookies can cause heartburn, you’ve come to the right place. Donal Castell, a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has spent the last twenty years researching foods that cause heartburn.
In his study of chocolate, he found that it works like a tranquilizer on the sphincter muscle. This is because chocolate contains three different chemicals known as methylxanthines, which have the ability to lull the sphincter into relaxing.
Caffeine
Chocolate contains caffeine, and it can make you have heartburn. To avoid heartburn, you should cut back on chocolate. However, if you do enjoy chocolate, make sure you avoid eating it after a heavy meal or on an empty stomach. Caffeine can also be found in coffee, so it is best to switch to decaf versions. Avoid alcohol and coffee when you are pregnant. You may also want to eat only low-fat, whole-wheat-based products.
Experts believe chocolate is a heartburn trigger. It contains theobromine and methylxanthines, two compounds that relax the sphincter and let stomach acid flow. Chocolate has been linked to heartburn because it also contains a lot of fat, which can relax the sphincter muscle. If you have heartburn, avoid chocolate and cookies altogether. Instead, try to opt for low-fat chocolate-free cookies.
If you have chronic heartburn, avoid drinking coffee, soda, and soft drinks. Caffeine relaxes the LES, which in turn allows stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. In addition, some fancy drinks contain caffeine. But, these beverages typically contain milk, which is slow to digest and can worsen heartburn. So, drink tea and water instead. Make sure to take smaller sips of these beverages throughout the day to help you avoid heartburn.
Fried foods
Eating fried foods can trigger heartburn and can also make the condition worse. These foods contain high levels of saturated fat and are difficult to digest. Additionally, they can cause the valves to relax, allowing the stomach acids to leak into the esophagus. The culprits include fried foods such as chicken, bacon, and french fries. You can find many ways to avoid fried foods to relieve heartburn, including avoiding them completely or limiting their consumption.
Eating fried foods during pregnancy is especially risky. It not only affects the mother, but also the unborn baby. Deep-frying foods are not nutritious and are not good for the unborn child. In addition to the potential risk of acid reflux, fried foods are also associated with pale, waxy stools. The excess fat in these foods can cause heartburn and even steatorrhea, a condition where the feces look white and smell bad.
Fatty meats are another risk factor for GERD. Avoid eating fatty meats, such as bacon and ham. You should also avoid lying down for at least three hours after eating to prevent acid reflux. A recliner, especially a high-back chair, can also trigger acid reflux. You should pay attention to what foods trigger heartburn to avoid recurring episodes. If you have heartburn or GERD, it’s essential to reduce fatty or fried foods.
Alcohol
It is not uncommon to find alcoholic chocolate chip cookies on the menu of a restaurant, but if you’re prone to GERD or acid reflux, avoid them as much as possible. Cacao is a common culprit in both cases, but other ingredients may also contribute to the condition. Caffeine and chocolate both trigger the release of serotonin, a chemical in the brain that relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, which is responsible for holding down the contents of the stomach. Peppermint is another ingredient in some chocolate chip cookies that is thought to relax the LES, and may even be a culprit for triggering acid reflux.
Although this may seem unlikely, a prominent gastroenterologist claims that he can bring on heartburn after eating four slices of pepperoni pizza. Although these foods are not directly responsible for causing heartburn, a recent study showed that drinking alcohol prior to eating a meal can lead to increased risk of a heartburn attack. Alcohol relaxes the sphincter muscle during the night, which allows acid to leak into the esophagus without anyone knowing it.
Mint
Did you know that eating chocolate can trigger acid reflux? It’s a common condition with many causes, from spicy foods to citrus fruits. According to Donal Castell, professor of medicine at Bowman Gray School of Medicine, nearly ten percent of Americans suffer from heartburn almost daily. In another study, 44 percent of Americans reported suffering from heartburn at least once a month. And while some foods are known to cause heartburn, chocolate seems to be the top culprit. Chocolate contains theobromine, which acts as a muscle relaxant, so eating it too often can trigger heartburn. However, the problem with this association is that theobromine is often combined with fat, which is a major contributor to heartburn.
Peppermint, a common flavor in cookies, may cause heartburn. This is because the herb has a cooling effect on the stomach, making it easier for the acid to creep up. Peppermint is also one of the most surprising heartburn triggers. Peppermint’s menthol content relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.
Dairy products
While dairy products are a staple food group, they can also contribute to acid reflux. Dairy products have high amounts of fat and are known to make the stomach work harder, resulting in higher amounts of gastric acid that can travel up the esophagus. While dairy is beneficial for the body, eating too much of it can lead to heartburn and acid reflux symptoms. However, some people experience relief after replacing high-fat dairy products with lower-fat varieties.
Some people suffer from acid reflux after eating dairy products, but the symptoms of this condition are not common. You can try to eat lower-fat dairy products and look for alternatives that don’t contain dairy. A dairy alternative may be a more effective option for those with acid reflux, as it doesn’t contain the same amount of fat and cholesterol as regular dairy products. If you have dairy intolerance, however, you should avoid these products.
In addition to avoiding dairy, you can also try using plant-based alternatives. Some people who have a dairy allergy should limit the amount they eat, and those who experience heartburn may want to consider kefir, a fermented dairy product that is alkaline-forming and gut-friendly. Kefir, for example, feeds good gut bacteria and helps the digestion process. However, you should not completely cut out dairy products from your diet if you have acid reflux.
High-fat desserts
There are many options for people who suffer from acid reflux. While there are plenty of recipes for cakes, brownies, and cookies, avoiding high-fat desserts may be a good way to relieve heartburn and GERD symptoms. A general search for dessert recipes will turn up an abundance of chocolate, peppermint, orange, and lemon desserts. Instead, try a specific recipe that is designed for people with GERD.
A healthier diet includes eating small, frequent meals rather than large, heavy meals. Large meals cause your stomach to produce more acid and digest food slower, putting pressure on your lower esophagus. Eat five to six small meals throughout the day. In addition to this, try cooking with less fat or calories. Air fryers use very little oil, and they are also very low-calorie. Eat healthy desserts, too.
Certain types of high-fat desserts can also aggravate heartburn symptoms. Tomatoes, citrus fruits, and vinegar are all acidic foods and should be avoided. For better results, try eating other fruits instead. Avoid spicy and peppery foods, as well as hot sauces. Peppermint can relax the gateway valve, thereby decreasing heartburn. Garlic and onions are also heartburn triggers, so you’ll want to avoid these as much as possible.
Dark chocolate
Whether or not dark chocolate chip cookies can cause heartburn is an old question. The answer, of course, is a resounding yes. Studies have shown that chocolate has a strong effect on the esophagus. During the period of exposure to chocolate, the amount of acid in the esophagus increases, triggering reflux. Other foods, such as coffee and tea, have a smaller impact on acid production, and chocolate is no exception.
People who have an intolerance to chocolate should cut back on their intake. It is not related to the immune system, but can still be irritating. Foods that are difficult to digest, like chocolate, are known to trigger heartburn. Foods high in caffeine, spicy foods, and hot sauces are all possible culprits. Several other foods, such as pepper, onion, and garlic, can exacerbate heartburn symptoms.
For those with mild cases of reflux, avoiding dark chocolate may be enough to ease symptoms. However, for those who suffer from more severe cases, limiting or avoiding these foods may be the only option. Some studies have shown that dark chocolate decreases the release of chemicals that are released in response to stress. This may have a direct effect on how much chocolate a person can eat without experiencing symptoms. If a specific food trigger is triggering heartburn, cutting back or eliminating it altogether is important.