Last updated: 15.01.2024, 04:52 a.m.
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
CommentsPrint Share
Occasional acid regurgitation after eating is unpleasant, but usually does not have serious consequences. It can become critical in the case of frequent heartburn.
The reflux of gastric juice leads to heartburn, a burning regurgitation – regular heartburn is considered a risk factor for esophageal cancer, along with obesity, smoking and regular and high alcohol consumption. In order to prevent heartburn from becoming chronic and subsequently developing diseases of the esophagus, it is recommended, especially for people who suffer from heartburn more often, to adjust their diet or to record what is eaten and drunk every day.
Diet promotes reflux – diseases of the esophagus can be the result
Some people prefer to avoid coffee because they notice that it triggers annoying heartburn. © AndreyPopov/Imago
Diet can promote the development of various diseases, including chronic reflux. Relatively minor adjustments in eating behavior, such as choosing small meals with little fat and sugar, and at best not eating after 19:00 p.m., can already have a big effect, as the NDR nutrition docs recommend. The stomach is relieved, the esophagus is protected from the consequences of heartburn.
Don't miss a thing: You can find everything you need to know about health in the regular newsletter of our partner 24vita.de.
If you suffer from heartburn on a regular basis, you should consult your family doctor or a nutritionist and discuss how to change your diet.
Recognising heartburn: keep a diary and deduce which foods promote reflux
In order to find out even more precisely which foods could trigger the heartburn, your doctor will advise you to keep a so-called heartburn diary. This allows you to write down all the foods you eat on a daily basis – including spices – and drink. You should keep the diary over a time frame of at least two weeks. It makes sense to assign the food to certain categories such as "baked goods", "sweets" or "drinks".
My news
"Respect": Mom was pregnant almost every year from 1993 to 2019
Intermittent Fasting Can Slow Down Aging: Three Factors That Help Keep the Body Youngread more
Do you always wake up at the same time? The Chinese Organ Clock Could Bring the Explanationread
Treating high blood pressure with micronutrients? Magnesium and vitamin D have antihypertensive effectsread
Vitamin D preparations at Ökotest – only five out of 20 remedies are convincingread
Possible sign of heart attack? What you need to know about heart palpitations at nightread
Foods that can promote heartburn include:
- Bread and bakery products:
Freshly baked bread, white bread, toast bread, pretzels, coarse, grainy wholemeal breads - Side dishes:
French fries, croquettes, potato pancakes, potato salad with mayonnaise - Sweets:
Ice cream, baked goods with a high fat and sugar content, chips, flips, crackers, pastries with a lot of salt - Fruit:
grapefruit, kiwi, pineapple, tangerine, nectarine, orange, sour cherries, fruit high in sugar - Vegetables:
leeks, garlic, horseradish, peppers, onions - Nuts, salted
- Oils and fats: fats, broths
, large amounts of spreadable and cooking fat, mayonnaise - Drinks:
Soda, cola, coffee, sparkling water, alcohol - Fish:
herring, eel, mackerel, breaded and smoked varieties - Sausage and meat:
fatty sausages such as salami, bratwurst, liver sausage, Mettwurst, meat loaf - Milk and dairy products:
milk and yoghurt with over 3.5 percent fat content, fatty cheese, pudding - Spices:
chili, curry, pepper, paprika, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder
Bloating, belching or heartburn are also influenced by individual eating habits. If you adapt your lifestyle, you can promote digestion and significantly increase well-being.
Three insider tips against heartburn
If you suffer from reflux from time to time, the following home remedies can bring relief in addition to heartburn tips from grandma:
Infuse loose chamomile flowers with hot water (250 ml) and leave to infuse for 20 minutes. Strain the infusion and drink tea on an empty stomach. Then lie comfortably on the floor / mat and relax for five minutes each in the supine position, side position and prone position.
Pour lightly ground flaxseed (approx. 1 tbsp) in a bag or tea strainer in a cup of hot water. Leave to soak for about 20 minutes. Take the flaxseed and drink tea in small sips.
caraway seeds or fennel seeds (2 tsp), 2 medium-sized, unpeeled potatoes cut into large pieces, unground flaxseeds (2–3 tsp) and water (2 L) in a saucepan for about 20 minutes. Then strain and collect the boiled broth and bottle it as a drink. Tip: in the morning, drink the warmed drink on an empty stomach about 20-30 minutes before breakfast, after dinner or before going to bed, and optionally also during the day. It is recommended to carry out the treatment for about four to six weeks to strengthen the mucous membrane of the esophagus. If you have symptoms, put the decoction back on and drink.
You can read about other home remedies that are often effective against heartburn under the following link: From teaspoons of mustard to potatoes: home remedies for heartburn
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It is in no way a substitute for a visit to the doctor. Individual questions about clinical pictures may not be answered by our editorial team.