Excessive stomach acid can easily cause acid reflux, which not only makes people feel nauseous and want to vomit but is also harmful to the stomach. Therefore, when you have too much stomach acid, you must not eat the following foods anymore.
Foods to avoid with excessive stomach acid Dietary principles for excessive stomach acid
What foods should you avoid with excessive stomach acid?
1. Gas-producing foods
If you have excessive stomach acid and then consume gas-producing foods, the damaged gastric mucosa can encounter these foods, leading to a stomach perforation, which is a very serious condition. Common gas-producing foods in daily life include citrus fruits, potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, onions, legumes, etc.
2. Carbonated drinks and alcohol
Carbonated drinks are highly acidic, and alcohol is also harmful to the stomach. Some alcoholic beverages are acidic, especially white liquor, whose acidity can even be compared to that of carbonated drinks.
3. Strong tea
Chinese people love drinking tea, often brewing a cup after meals or in their leisure time. However, people with excessive stomach acid should avoid drinking tea, especially strong tea. Tea affects the gastric mucosa, causing our stomach acid secretion to increase. For patients with gastric ulcers or duodenal ulcers, drinking tea will undoubtedly worsen the symptoms of acid reflux, leading to stomach pain. Drinking tea after taking medication can also reduce the drug's effectiveness.
4. Raw and cold foods
Regardless of whether you have a stomach condition, raw and cold foods are irritating to the stomach. Every doctor will advise patients with stomach problems to eat less of these foods. The same applies to excessive stomach acid; patients should eat more gentle foods and eat less ice cream, popsicles, raw fish, etc.
5. Greasy foods
Greasy foods are high in fat. Consuming too much fat can stimulate the gallbladder to contract and secrete, delay gastric emptying, and worsen stomach acid. Therefore, a light diet is recommended in daily life.
6. Acidic foods
This is a straightforward concept. People with excessive stomach acid know that the fluid that comes up during reflux is very acidic. To alleviate stomach acid, one should obviously not eat more acidic things. Most acidic foods can be identified by their sour taste when eaten, such as oranges, tangerines, vinegar, apples, etc.
7. Sweets
Sweets also make gastric juice secretion more vigorous, so they should be eaten less in daily life. Chocolate and cream cakes, which many women love, should be consumed in moderation when you have excessive stomach acid.
8. Mint
Mint relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, which is a major cause of acid reflux. Mint is harmful to the stomach, so you should not only eat less mint but also consume fewer foods containing mint, such as drinking less mint tea, chewing less mint candy, and less mint gum.
9. Beans and coffee
Beans and coffee are foods that people trying to nourish their stomach should not eat in excess. Beans contain oligosaccharides, which are not easy to digest and can easily cause gas in the intestines. Coffee can irritate the stomach, causing excessive secretion of stomach acid, leading to indigestion and acid reflux, and is also harmful to the stomach.
10. Broccoli and tomatoes
Broccoli and tomatoes are also foods that people with poor stomach health should eat less of. Broccoli contains soluble dietary fiber, which can only be broken down in the large intestine, producing a large amount of gas, which is not good for the stomach. Tomato is a highly acidic food that can stimulate the stomach to produce excess stomach acid and is a food that people with symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn should avoid or eat as little as possible.
11. Chocolate and chili peppers
Chocolate contains a large amount of theobromine, which, like mint, can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, causing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus and affecting stomach health. Chili peppers are very irritating and can easily irritate the stomach, causing problems like stomach pain, especially for people in southern regions.
12. Citrus juice
Acidic drinks can irritate the esophagus, stimulating the sensory nerves and causing the affected area to become red and swollen.
13. Raw onions
Onions, garlic, and chives are full of various nutrients that are very beneficial to health, such as protecting the heart. However, they can also cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as gas and abdominal cramps. However, cooking seems to neutralize the compounds in these vegetables that cause gastrointestinal problems.
Dietary principles for excessive stomach acid
1. It is advisable to eat foods containing alkaline components, such as dairy products, blood, soy sauce, and fresh vegetables and fruits like spinach, rapeseed, and cabbage. Eat less acidic foods, such as legumes, peanuts, vinegar, and fatty foods.
2. Eat low-fat and low-sugar foods, as both high-fat and sweet foods can increase stomach acid secretion. Avoid seasonings that can stimulate an increase in stomach acid, such as chili, coffee, and mustard.
3. For excessive stomach acid, the diet should be mainly based on staple foods like flour products. Flour can dilute stomach acid, and the alkali in it can neutralize stomach acid. Foods like soy milk and congee can also dilute stomach acid and protect the gastric mucosa.
4. Eat at regular times; snacks can stimulate an increase in stomach acid. Do not eat too much to avoid stimulating the gastric antrum and causing an increase in stomach acid secretion.