6 Products That Provoke Heartburn

When it comes to digestive disorders, like bloating, heartburn or nausea, certain food is the obvious culprit for these troubles. If you are periodically worried about abdominal pain and other discomforts, every gastroenterologist will advise you to reduce the amount of these products in the diet.

Sugar-Free Gum

There are two main reasons why sugarless chewing gum can cause abdominal pain and discomfort. First, in the process, you swallow a lot of air. Secondly, it contains sugar alcohols – a form of carbohydrates, which doesn’t get digested well or quickly and is a fairly common cause of indigestion.

Due to the fact that they are not completely absorbed, sugar alcohols contain fewer calories. To find them on a pack of chewing gum, it is useful to know that the most common sugar alcohols are: xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, maltitol, and erythritol.

Sparkling Water

Most people know that sugary fizzy drinks cause flatulence. However, few realize that the bubbles contained in carbonated mineral water can have the same effect on the digestive system. Sparkling water, even in the absence of sweeteners in it, is able to inflate the stomach like a balloon. So be extremely careful: and if you notice discomfort, give preference to plain water with lemon and honey, which will be no less tasty, but much more useful.

Garlic

Garlic is one of the brightest representatives of FODMAP (short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the human small intestine and lead to increased gas formation). Because of their poor absorption capacity, they accumulate water in the intestines, where, in turn, fermented bacteria are formed, responsible for gas, heartburn and bloating. However, some people are more sensitive to FODMAP products than others. So the next time you use garlic sauce, watch how you feel.

Popcorn

Popcorn can cause bloating simply because of its size. In this matter, the main thing is to know the measure. If you do not have plans for the evening, why not, and if you booked a table in a romantic restaurant, it is better to replace popcorn with something less active (for example, grilled salmon and vegetable salad).

A Large Plate of Salad

First, it is worth remembering about volume – a large plate of  “Caesar salad” will take a lot of space in your stomach and, therefore, expand it (so you eat more, even if the original calorie content of the dish is small). Another issue is that some vegetables also contain FODMAP, especially cabbage, mushrooms, and onions. The danger lies in the salad sauces from the supermarket: at least because it can also contain these ingredients.

Black Coffee

Obviously, if you suffer from lactose intolerance, then adding cream or milk to coffee will not be a good idea. But black coffee can also cause disorders in the digestive system. Coffee is an acidic environment, so if you have a sensitive stomach, caffeine can be a perfect irritant. As part of the experiment, try to reduce the amount of coffee consumed by half: this, by the way, will give positive changes not only in the digestion but your overall health.