Joy Onuorah

• Foods that trigger heartburn include;

alcohol, particularly red wine

black pepper, garlic, raw onions, and other spicy foods

chocolate

citrus fruits and products, such as lemons, oranges and orange juice

coffee and caffeinated drinks, including tea and soda

peppermint

tomatoes

To prevent heartburn after meals;

Don’t overeat. Eat five or six small meals each day, instead of several large meals.

Don’t eat before bedtime. Allow 2 hours to digest your food before lying down. This allows time for the food to pass out of the stomach and into the small intestine, rather than having it back up into the oesophagus. Lying down makes digestion difficult and makes heartburn more likely.