Contents:
- Medical Video: How To Stop Acid Reflux | How To Treat Acid Reflux (2018)
- Side effects of eating chocolate against the stomach
- 1. Chocolate causes the esophageal sphincter muscles to relax
- 2. The fat contained in chocolate can also cause reflux
- Avoid anything that can trigger an increase in stomach acid
Medical Video: How To Stop Acid Reflux | How To Treat Acid Reflux (2018)
Chocolate is one of the foods that almost everyone likes. It tastes sweet and distinctive, making many people like this one food. However, for those of you who may have stomach problems, it is not recommended to eat chocolate chocolates. Why is that? Find out the answers in this article.
Side effects of eating chocolate against the stomach
At first glance, chocolate is tempting. However, some of these reasons make chocolate not the right food for those who do have problems in their digestive system.
1. Chocolate causes the esophageal sphincter muscles to relax
Actually, chocolate has long been one of the foods that should be avoided for people who have digestive problems, such as gastric acid reflux (GERD). Because, eating chocolate can trigger symptoms of discomfort from the disease.
Under normal circumstances, stomach acid is prevented from leaking into the esophagus from the stomach by a group of muscles known as the lower esophageal sphincter. This sphincter muscle functions like an anti-reflux valve that closes tightly so that the contents of the stomach remain in place.
If the sphincter muscle weakens, or does not function properly, stomach acid will be pushed into the esophagus which causes a sensation heart burn or sore in the esophagus, chest and stomach. Well, chocolate is among the foods that are believed to trigger an increase in stomach acid by causing sphincter muscles to relax and stomach acid to rise.
Quoted from the Healthline page, besides eating chocolate, there are several other things that can also cause the sphincter muscle to relax and cause a sensation heart burn, that is:
- Citrus fruits (mandarin oranges, lemons, lime, grapefruit, etc.)
- Red onion
- Garlic
- Tomato
- Coffee
- Alcohol
- Smoke
2. The fat contained in chocolate can also cause reflux
Chocolate basically contains different amounts of fat, depending on the type. Foods that contain a few percent chocolate can also contain fat.
This fat content can slow emptying of the stomach, which can cause stomach contents to return to the esophagus. In addition, digesting foods that contain high fat can also cause the stomach to produce more acid which in turn can cause stomach acid to rise.
Milk chocolate contains more fat than the type dark chocolate or dark chocolate. Unfortunately, dark chocolate has a much higher caffeine content than milk chocolate. Dark chocolate maybe not as bad milk chocolate high in fat, but two other things can still trigger stomach acid because caffeine is an intestinal stimulant that can worsen digestive problems for those who do have sensitive digestion.
Avoid anything that can trigger an increase in stomach acid
Gastric reflux can often be easily overcome by a combination of lifestyle changes and drug therapy. However, if this condition is not treated and allowed to continue it will cause serious complications. Be sure to tell your doctor if you experience severe symptoms such as chest pain, chronic sore throat, or difficulty swallowing after eating chocolate.
Many doctors have advised patients to avoid anything that can trigger an increase in stomach acid. So, basically this increase in stomach acid will not get worse if you can control everything that can trigger these symptoms.
