Diet and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reﬂux is a chronic disease that occurs when

stomach contents ﬂow back (reﬂux) into the food pipe (esophagus).

It is usually caused by failure of the muscle valve (called the lower

esophageal sphincter) between the stomach and the esophagus to

close properly. The backwash of stomach acid irritates the lining of

the lower esophagus and causes the symptom of heartburn.

Diet and Gastroesophageal

Reﬂux Disease (GERD)

SMALL INTESTINE

ESOPHAGUS

LOWER

ESOPHAGEAL

SPHINCTER

STOMACH

DUODENUM

Heartburn, which is the most common symptom of

GERD, usually feels like a burning sensation behind the

breastbone, moving up to the neck and throat.

TRIGGER FOODS

Some foods are known to trigger symptoms of GERD. By

keeping a food diary, you can identify your trigger foods

and change your diet to reduce discomfort. Below is a list

of some foods recognized to trigger symptoms of GERD

and how they affect the digestive tract:

• Coffee (with or without caffeine) and caffeinated

beverages relax the lower esophageal sphincter.

• Citrus fruits and juices such as orange, grapefruit and

pineapple have high acid content.

• Tomatoes and processed tomato-based products such as

tomato juice, and pasta and pizza sauces are highly acidic.

• Carbonated beverages (ﬁzzy drinks) cause gaseous

distension of the stomach (bloating) which increases

pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter causing

acid reﬂux.

• Chocolate contains a chemical called methylxanthine from

the cocoa tree, which is similar to caffeine. It relaxes the

lower esophageal sphincter, which causes acid reﬂux.

• Peppermint, garlic and onions relax the lower

esophageal sphincter causing acid reﬂux.

• Fatty, spicy or fried foods relax the lower esophageal

sphincter as well as delay stomach emptying and therefore

cause acid reﬂux.

Contact your health care provider if symptoms do not

improve with diet and lifestyle changes. Initial treatment

may start with over-the-counter (OTC) medications that

control stomach acid.

For more information, visit www.asge.org.