22 Foods That Trigger Acid Reflux

16. Chocolate

Caffeine, like coffee, relaxes the LES in chocolate. Another acidic ingredient that might raise stomach acid is cocoa powder. When you consume chocolate, you release serotonin. Serotonin is a stress-relieving and mood-regulating hormone. Serotonin, on the other hand, might relax the LES, making acid reflux more likely. Chocolate contains acidic cocoa powder, which may exacerbate your symptoms. Cocoa can cause a spike of serotonin to be released from the intestine cells that relax the esophageal sphincter. Gastric contents can rise when this muscle relaxes. In the esophagus, this generates a burning sensation. Caffeine and theobromine, which are found in chocolate, can exacerbate symptoms.