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Cutting spicy, acidic foods doesn't stop heartburn, study says
Anahad O'Connor
New York Times
Sept. 12, 2006 12:00 AM
The facts: People with heartburn have long been advised to steer clear of certain foods out of fear that they may aggravate their condition.
Coffee? Too acidic. Hot sauce? Out of the question. But what if the claim that simply limiting such foods can reduce heartburn - a claim quoted by doctors everywhere - is wrong?
The study: In a study published in May in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers at Stanford's medical school analyzed hundreds of studies on heartburn dating to the 1970s. They found that cutting caffeine, citrus fruits and spicy foods did not eliminate heartburn symptoms or lower pH levels in the esophagus.
That may have something to do with the nature of heartburn, which is most commonly caused when the esophageal sphincter, which acts something like a control valve, relaxes more than it should and allows fluids in the stomach to flow toward the mouth. There is some evidence that tobacco and alcohol can reduce the pressure exerted by the esophageal sphincter, but most foods traditionally thought to exacerbate heartburn do not seem to have this effect.
In the May study, only two changes in behavior appeared to reduce heartburn. The first was eating less, because extra weight increases pressure in the abdomen. And elevating the head of the bed can prevent stomach acid from surging into the esophagus while you sleep.
The bottom line: Despite anecdotal evidence, research suggests that avoiding spicy or acidic foods does not ease symptoms of heartburn.
Anahad O'Connor
New York Times
Sept. 12, 2006 12:00 AM
The facts: People with heartburn have long been advised to steer clear of certain foods out of fear that they may aggravate their condition.
Coffee? Too acidic. Hot sauce? Out of the question. But what if the claim that simply limiting such foods can reduce heartburn - a claim quoted by doctors everywhere - is wrong?
The study: In a study published in May in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers at Stanford's medical school analyzed hundreds of studies on heartburn dating to the 1970s. They found that cutting caffeine, citrus fruits and spicy foods did not eliminate heartburn symptoms or lower pH levels in the esophagus.
That may have something to do with the nature of heartburn, which is most commonly caused when the esophageal sphincter, which acts something like a control valve, relaxes more than it should and allows fluids in the stomach to flow toward the mouth. There is some evidence that tobacco and alcohol can reduce the pressure exerted by the esophageal sphincter, but most foods traditionally thought to exacerbate heartburn do not seem to have this effect.
In the May study, only two changes in behavior appeared to reduce heartburn. The first was eating less, because extra weight increases pressure in the abdomen. And elevating the head of the bed can prevent stomach acid from surging into the esophagus while you sleep.
The bottom line: Despite anecdotal evidence, research suggests that avoiding spicy or acidic foods does not ease symptoms of heartburn.
