Tomatoes and tomato-based products are known to exacerbate GERD symptoms due to their acidic nature. The high acidity can relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing stomach acid to flow into the esophagus, leading to heartburn and acid reflux. Additionally, tomatoes contain compounds like citric acid and malic acid, which can contribute to increased acidity in the stomach.
Reference:
Dibley LB, Norton C, Jones R. Don't eat tomatoes: patient's self-reported experiences of causes of symptoms in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Fam Pract. 2010 Aug;27(4):410-7. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmq020. Epub 2010 Apr 20. PMID: 20406788.
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