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Foods That Cause Heartburn

Heartburn is often triggered by eating certain foods. Foods that can cause heartburn include chocolate, tomato products, onions, and fried and fatty foods. In addition to avoiding foods that cause heartburn, it's also important to be aware of when and how much you eat. These factors can also contribute to heartburn.

 

Foods That Cause Heartburn: An Overview

There is a relatively long list of foods that cause heartburn. For people who suffer from heartburn, this list should be a starting point. However, keep in mind that foods that cause heartburn in one person do not necessarily cause heartburn in another. So, for anyone with heartburn, the first step is knowing the foods that can increase the chances for developing heartburn or making the symptoms worse. The next step is knowing which foods cause problems in you specifically. If you love pasta with tomato sauce, see if this meal makes your heartburn symptoms worse. If it does not, then this may be a food that you can continue to have as part of your "heartburn diet."
 

List of Foods That Cause Heartburn

Certain foods can either increase your likelihood of developing heartburn, or they can make your existing symptoms worse. These include:
 
  • Chocolate
  • Peppermint
  • Fried and fatty foods
  • Tomato products
  • Foods and drinks that contain caffeine
  • Alcoholic beverages.
     
Other foods that can cause heartburn include:
 
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Mustard
  • Certain spices
  • Vinegar
  • Carbonated beverages (such as soda)
  • Citrus fruits and juices.
     
Some of these foods cause your lower esophageal sphincter to become weaker, and some cause your stomach to make more acid than usual. Both of these problems can increase acid reflux. Other foods can further irritate the lining of the esophagus after it's been damaged by reflux.
 
Eating at the wrong time or eating too much can also cause problems. If your lower esophageal sphincter isn't working properly and you eat large meals, the level of food and acid in your stomach may be high enough for juices to back up into your esophagus. Finally, if your esophageal sphincter doesn't stay closed when it should, and you eat too close to bedtime, lying down can cause acid reflux.
 
(Click Heartburn Diet if you are interested in more information about diet and heartburn.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD