10 Foods To Avoid for Acid Reflux
Acid Reflux Food To Avoid #6: Tobacco
Smoking is associated with an increase in acid reflux through decreased LES pressure and increased gastric acid secretion. The nicotine in tobacco is responsible for relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to go back into the esophagus. Smoking also interacts with medication to prevent certain drugs from lower overnight acid secretion.
A research study done on comparing tobacco usage to acid reflux incidence showed that all smokers have a lower LES pressure than non-smokers. Habitually smoking creates a cycle of increased reflux that reduces LES pressure resulting in a further increase in acid reflux3https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1378332/. Unfortunately, tobacco worsens the condition and makes it difficult to effectively treat.
Advertisement
