Table of contents:
- Side effects of eating chocolate on the stomach
- 1. Chocolate causes the esophageal sphincter muscles to relax
- 2. Fat contained in chocolate can also cause reflux
- Avoid everything that can trigger acid reflux
Chocolate is one of the foods that almost everyone likes. The taste is sweet and distinctive, making many people love this one food. However, for those of you who may have stomach problems, it is not recommended to eat chocolate often. Why is that? Find out the answer in this article.
Side effects of eating chocolate on the stomach
At first glance, chocolate is tempting. However, some of these reasons make chocolate not the right food for those who do have problems in their digestive system.
1. Chocolate causes the esophageal sphincter muscles to relax
In fact, chocolate has long been used as one of the foods that should be avoided for people who have digestive problems, such as stomach acid reflux (GERD). The reason is, eating chocolate can trigger discomfort symptoms from the disease.
Under normal circumstances, stomach acid is prevented from leaking into the esophagus from the stomach by a group of muscles known as the lower esophageal sphincter. This sphincter muscle functions like an anti-reflux valve that closes tightly to keep the stomach contents in place.
When the sphincter muscles are weakened, or they don't work properly, stomach acid is pushed into the esophagus, causing a sensation heart burn or sore in the esophagus, chest, and stomach. Well, chocolate is among the foods that are believed to trigger an increase in stomach acid by causing the sphincter muscles to relax and stomach acid to rise.
Quoted from the Healthline page, besides eating chocolate, there are several other things that can also cause the sphincter muscles to relax, causing a sensation. heart burn, that is:
- Citrus fruits (mandarin oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, etc.)
- Red onion
- Garlic
- Tomato
- Coffee
- Alcohol
- Smoke
2. Fat contained in chocolate can also cause reflux
Basically, chocolate contains different amounts of fat, depending on the type. Including foods that contain some percent chocolate in them can also contain fat.
This fat content can slow down stomach emptying, which can cause stomach contents to back up into the esophagus. In addition, digesting foods that are high in fat can also cause the stomach to produce more acid which in turn can cause stomach acid to rise.
Milk chocolate contains more fat than the type dark chocolate or dark chocolate. Unfortunately, dark chocolate has a much higher caffeine content than that milk chocolate. Dark chocolate maybe not that bad milk chocolate which is high in fat, but two other things can still trigger stomach acid because caffeine is an intestinal stimulant that can exacerbate digestive problems for those who do have sensitive digestion.
Avoid everything that can trigger acid reflux
Acid reflux can often be easily treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and drug therapy. However, if this condition is not treated and is allowed to continue, it will cause serious complications. Be sure to tell your doctor if you experience severe symptoms such as chest pain, chronic sore throat, or difficulty swallowing after eating chocolate.
Many doctors have advised their patients to avoid anything that can trigger acid reflux. So, basically, this increase in stomach acid will not get worse if you can control everything that can trigger these symptoms.
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