Cooked Onions
Onions are among the worst foods that can trigger an immediate acid reflux attack. Research has shown a link between eating raw onions and acid reflux as onions seem to stimulate gastric juices. Onions also prolong the motility of food being digested, exacerbating the possibility of acid reflux and uncontrollable, and sometimes painful, belching.
Research also has established that raw onions contain fructooligosaccharides, a fermentable fiber that directly affects the esophageal sphincter. As a result, they tend to relax the esophageal sphincter, which can lead to immediate reflux symptoms. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that onions are a potent source of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) which are nondigestible carbohydrates that also relax the esophageal sphincter. Although onions are generally categorized as healthy food, they can trigger acid reflux symptoms, so doctors recommend eating them in moderation.
Doctors recommend people susceptible to acid reflux symptoms observe themselves when they eat onions. If they see that onions serve as a trigger, they advise refraining from eating them or replacing them with other alternative ingredients.
