Think hot honey everything and cold brew are harmless treats? Well, think again. They look amazing, they taste delicious, but they could also be secretly making your acid reflux worse. A bunch of trending foods are blowing up your acid levels and here are 10 of them.
10. Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew coffee has taken the world of TikTok by storm and you can see this drink in almost every coffeehouse. The problem is cold brew is still coffee, and while it’s less acidic than hot coffee, it’s not completely acid-free. Cold brew also has more caffeine than a regular cup of joe, which is a known reflux trigger.
9. Spicy Chicken Sandwiches
Spicy chicken sandwiches are a threat to your acid reflux. The spicy seasonings stimulate acid production, which can lead to reflux. The fried chicken, a high-fat food, can also weaken the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), which opens and closes to keep acid and food where they belong (in the stomach). When LES is weak, stomach acid leaks up into your esophagus.
8. Sriracha on Everything
Sriracha is becoming a fast favorite today but adding it to almost everything isn’t ideal if you have acid reflux. One of its main ingredients is chili pepper, which is a major irritant for people with acid reflux. Sriracha also has a low pH level (acidic) and it could increase the burning sensation you feel after meals.
7. Tini’s Mac and Cheese
If you’re already on TikTok in 2024, you’ve probably seen Tini’s mac and cheese that garnered almost 90 million views. Many called it “immaculate” but for people suffering from acid reflux, it wouldn’t be a great option. The mac and cheese is super rich, containing two and a half pounds of cheese, plus heavy cream, butter, and evaporated milk. These are high-fat foods that could weaken your LES.
6. Energy Drinks
Energy drinks can bring you, well, energy and also discomfort if you already have acid reflux. Why? These drinks are highly acidic. When reflux happens, it burns your esophageal lining. Energy drinks are also loaded with caffeine, and this too, could relax or weaken the LES.
5. Tajin-Infused Food
Tajin is a Mexican seasoning blend that carries the addictive chili-lime flavor profile. You often find this flavor in chips, popcorn, and even ice cream. Now, here’s the kicker: tajin is made with chili peppers, which is bad news for your LES. The lime component and its acidity can also lower stomach pH, leading to more intense reflux symptoms.
4. Hot Honey on Everything
The swicy takeover is here and we’re seeing hot honey on almost everything from chicken and pizza to almonds and chips. But for those with acid reflux, these are spicy-sweet traps. Hot honey is often infused with chili peppers that could stimulate stomach acid production. Also, hot honey is usually paired with fried, fatty foods, and eating them would slow digestion and give more time for acid to rise.
3. Pickle Sandwich
It’s pickle season and if you’re adding lots of pickles to your sandwich, think twice about it. Pickles are soaked in brine or vinegar, making them highly acidic. Pickles are also very salty. When this triggers bloating, your LES could weaken and send stomach acid back up as a result. It gets worse when the pickles are paired with spicy sauces and fried foods.
2. Dirty Soda
Dirty soda is another TikTok favorite, and in case you haven’t noticed, almost every fast food chain has their own take. It’s fizzy and creamy, and these “delightful” features are actually threats to your acid reflux. Carbonation increases pressure in your stomach, pushing acid up. Also, cream = high fat, especially if your dirty soda is made with half and half.
1. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Sadly, this romantic treat won’t leave people with acid reflux feeling warm and fuzzy. While strawberries are less acidic than citrus fruits, they’re still acidic enough to trigger acid reflux symptoms. When the berries are combined with other triggers like chocolate, it gets even worse. Chocolate contains caffeine and fat, a combo that weakens the LES.