20 Foods That Help Heartburn

Millions of people experience acid reflux and/or heartburn. Approximately 20% of the U.S. population has been diagnosed with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

There is a mechanism in our esophagus called the esophageal sphincter whose job it is to let food pass into the stomach and to protect the esophagus. Once the food passes through to the stomach, the sphincter then closes to block food and fluids from coming back up.

When and if that sphincter relaxes food can push back up into the throat and cause that feeling of heartburn. Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux disease.

Diet plays a major role in the prevention of and controlling acid reflux. As a matter of fact, one of the first things your doctor will do once you've been diagnosed is prescribe a new diet to control your symptoms of GERD. For example, foods that are fried, high in saturated fats, and spicy foods are some of the usual suspects known to cause heartburn.

However, instead of a list full of foods you should avoid, we've compiled this list of 20 foods you can add to your diet in order to control and avoid future acid reflux symptoms.