eating certain foods including onions peppermint and high-fat foods as well as drinking alcohol can cause the lower esophageal sphincter muscle which controls the opening between the esophagus and the stomach to relax. when this muscle fails to close the acid-containing contents of the stomach can travel back up into the esophagus producing heartburn. caffeinated beverages and foods (such as coffee tea colas and chocolate) can also aggravate heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (gerd). tomatoes citrus fruits or juices also contribute additional acid that can irritate the esophagus. in addition smoking relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter contributing to heartburn and gerd.
what foods should a person avoid if he or she has heartburn gerd or barrett's esophagus?