Andy Montoya
Heartburn is a painful condition caused by digestive acids rising from the stomach into the oesophagus. While certain foods are more likely to trigger heartburn than others, it's important to remember that everyone's tolerance level is different. One food group that is commonly thought to cause heartburn is dairy products, specifically cheese. So, does cheddar cheese cause heartburn? Well, it's a little more complicated than a simple yes or no.
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What You'll Learn
Cheddar cheese is high in fat
Cheddar cheese is a dairy product that is high in fat. While dairy products like yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk are excellent sources of calcium, which helps to neutralize stomach acid, full-fat cheese is a no-no on the list of foods to eat if you have acid reflux. This is because fat slows down the emptying of the stomach, increasing the risk of heartburn by putting more pressure on the stomach and pushing acid into the esophagus.
High-fat foods like cheddar cheese take longer to digest, which in turn puts pressure on the stomach and esophagus. This is why fatty foods such as butter can also cause heartburn. The longer the stomach stays full, the higher the risk of heartburn.
Overeating can also add pressure to the stomach, forcing acid into the esophagus and leading to heartburn. Eating smaller meals more frequently can help to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Eating fewer, larger meals can cause the stomach to produce more acid, which can lead to an increase in symptoms.
Low-fat dairy products are a great option for people suffering from acid reflux. They also contain probiotics, which help to keep the digestive system healthy and functioning properly.
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Fat slows stomach emptying
Cheddar cheese is a hard cheese that generally contains less than a gram of lactose per serving. While it is a good source of calcium, which helps to neutralize stomach acid, it is also a high-fat food. High-fat foods can cause heartburn because fat slows down the emptying of the stomach, increasing pressure and pushing acid into the oesophagus. This is not only true for cheddar cheese but also for other high-fat cheeses such as Swiss cheese and Parmesan.
When the stomach takes longer to empty, it stays full for longer, increasing the risk of heartburn. This is not only true for cheese but also for other high-fat foods such as red meat and nuts. Fatty foods such as butter can also cause heartburn for the same reason.
In addition to high-fat foods, other foods that can trigger acid reflux and heartburn include fried foods, spicy foods, citrus fruits, alcohol, caffeine, and overeating. Overeating adds pressure to the stomach, which can force acid into the oesophagus and cause heartburn.
To reduce the risk of heartburn, it is recommended to opt for low-fat dairy products and whole grains, which help to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. Eating smaller meals more frequently can also help to keep stomach acid levels consistent and reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.
It is important to note that while certain foods can trigger heartburn, individual tolerance varies. For example, some people find that eating spicy foods helps to calm chronic heartburn, while others experience heartburn after consuming spicy foods. Understanding which foods trigger heartburn for you is essential to making informed dietary choices and managing symptoms effectively.
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This increases pressure in the stomach
Cheddar cheese is a hard cheese that generally contains less than a gram of lactose per serving. While it is a good source of calcium, which helps to neutralise stomach acid, it is also a high-fat food. High-fat foods can cause heartburn because fat slows down the rate at which the stomach is emptied. This increases pressure in the stomach, which in turn pushes acid into the oesophagus, causing the burning sensation associated with heartburn.
Overeating can also add pressure to the stomach, which can force acid into the oesophagus and lead to heartburn. Eating smaller meals more frequently can help to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Eating fewer, larger meals can cause the stomach to produce more acid, which can lead to an increase in symptoms. Eating smaller meals throughout the day can help to keep stomach acid levels more consistent.
In addition to eating smaller meals, it is important to limit other foods that can trigger acid reflux, such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy and acidic foods. Acidic foods, however, have been shown to have no effect on LES pressure (or pressure on the lower oesophageal sphincter, a valve that acts as the doorway between the oesophagus and the stomach) and do not cause heartburn symptoms. Nevertheless, if you have severe acid reflux that hasn't been treated and has irritated your oesophagus, acidic foods can make the condition worse.
Smoking is another cause of increased pressure on the oesophageal valve, as cigarette smoke and nicotine delay stomach emptying. If you smoke, you are guaranteed to develop acid reflux disease throughout the length of your aerodigestive tract.
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Pressure forces acid into the oesophagus
Cheddar cheese is a high-fat food, and foods with high-fat content can cause heartburn. This is because fat slows down the rate at which food leaves the stomach, increasing the pressure in the stomach and forcing acid into the oesophagus.
The oesophagus is a muscular tube that carries food and liquid from the throat to the stomach. At the bottom of the oesophagus is a ring-shaped muscle called the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). The LES senses when food or liquid is passing through the oesophagus and relaxes to let it pass into the stomach. When there is no food or liquid, the LES remains closed to prevent stomach acid from entering the oesophagus. However, when there is increased pressure in the stomach, the LES can open when it is not supposed to, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the oesophagus and causing heartburn.
Overeating is a common cause of increased pressure in the stomach, as it takes longer for the stomach to empty when it is full. This increased pressure can force acid into the oesophagus, leading to heartburn. High-fat foods, such as cheddar cheese, can also cause increased pressure in the stomach because they take longer to digest. This is why high-fat foods are often associated with heartburn.
In addition to high-fat foods, other factors can contribute to increased pressure in the stomach and the development of heartburn. For example, fried foods are high in oil content, which can increase the time it takes for the stomach to empty and put pressure on the oesophagus. Similarly, spicy foods can affect acid levels in the stomach, creating an environment that promotes acid reflux. Alcohol consumption can also relax the muscles in the body, including the LES, making it easier for stomach acid to flow back into the oesophagus.
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Acid in the oesophagus causes heartburn
Acid reflux, which causes heartburn, occurs when stomach acid rises into the oesophagus. This can happen after a large, rich meal or when you lie down too soon after eating. The stomach acid can damage the oesophageal tissues, causing a burning sensation, discomfort, and pain. This is often felt in the chest, close to the sternum, but can also be felt in the throat, causing a sore throat.
Overeating can also add pressure to the stomach, forcing acid into the oesophagus and leading to heartburn. Fatty foods, such as cheese, butter, and fried foods, can cause heartburn because they slow down the emptying of the stomach, increasing pressure and pushing acid into the oesophagus. Alcohol can also relax the muscles in the body, including the oesophageal sphincter, which keeps acids out.
Certain foods are more likely to trigger heartburn than others. For example, citrus fruits are high in acid content, and candy, especially those with Vitamin C for flavour, can be very acidic. Spicy foods can affect the acid levels in the stomach, creating an environment that promotes acid reflux. Additionally, peppers (sweet or hot) are inflammatory, triggering the body to create more acid for digestion.
Simple lifestyle changes can help stop or reduce heartburn. For example, it is recommended to wait longer after eating before lying down and to raise the head of the bed to prevent stomach acid from travelling up towards the throat. Antacids can provide temporary relief from symptoms, but they do not cure heartburn. If heartburn is frequent and disruptive, it is recommended to speak to a healthcare provider, as it may be a sign of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
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Frequently asked questions
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest caused by digestive acids rising from the stomach into the oesophagus.
Yes, full-fat cheddar cheese can cause heartburn. This is because fat slows down the rate at which the stomach empties, increasing pressure in the stomach and pushing acid into the oesophagus. However, low-fat dairy products can help to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.
Fried food, spicy food, fatty foods, citrus fruits, alcohol, caffeine, and fermented foods are all common triggers of heartburn.
Yes, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, most fruits, and herbal teas can all help to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.
Yes, frequent acid reflux can lead to throat-related issues such as difficulty swallowing, a chronic cough, and hoarseness. In some cases, long-term exposure to stomach acid can lead to oesophageal cancer.
