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In today's times, due to wrong eating habits and spoiled lifestyle, Acid Reflux and Heartburn have become common diseases. Whenever a person has the problem of gas in the stomach or heartburn, it is immediately assumed that he must have eaten too much spicy, fried or chilli food. People generally think that spices are the only villains of acidity. But have you ever wondered why you get acidity despite not eating spicy food? Can consumption of sweet things or sugar also be responsible for this? This is a question that very few people pay attention to. According to gastroenterologists and dieticians, sugar and sweet foods can also be a major cause of heartburn. In this article we will understand in detail how sugar affects our stomach and digestive system and what is the science behind it. Scientific connection between sugar and acidity, what do doctors say? According to scientific and medical research, sugar can directly trigger the production of acid in the stomach. When we consume excessive amounts of refined sugar, sweets, cold drinks, pastries or packaged foods, our body's digestive system struggles to digest them. Consuming too much sugar disrupts the balance of the gut microbiome in the stomach. Compared to the good bacteria present in the stomach, harmful bacteria and yeast (Candida) make sugar their main diet and start growing faster. When these bad bacteria ferment sugar, excessive amounts of gas and acid are produced in the stomach. This extra gas creates pressure inside the stomach, due to which the stomach acid is pushed upwards i.e. towards the esophagus, and this causes heartburn or acid reflux. Bad effect of sugar on Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) There is a valve between our stomach and food pipe which is called Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). The main function of this valve is to prevent the food from coming back up after entering the stomach. But doctors say that when a person eats excessive sugar or sweet things, it leads to inflammation and hormonal imbalance in the body. Apart from this, excessive consumption of sugar causes obesity and weight gain, which increases intra-abdominal pressure within the stomach. This increased pressure weakens or loosens the LES valve. When this valve becomes weak, stomach acid easily starts leaking upwards, causing sour mouth, sour belching and a burning sensation in the chest. Hidden Sugars and Packaged Foods People often think that because they drink less sugar in tea or coffee, they are safe from the ill effects of sugar. But the reality is completely opposite. Today, most of the packaged and processed foods available in the market contain 'Hidden Sugars' in abundance. High Fructose Corn Syrup is used in sauces, ketchup, salad dressings, bread, breakfast cereals, fruit juices and energy drinks. The liver has to work harder to digest fructose, and this immediately increases the problem of gas and bloating in the intestines. When you consume these things unknowingly, you continue to complain of acidity and you are not able to understand what is the real reason for it. The Dangerous Cycle of Sugar and Inflammation Excessive sugar consumption promotes systemic inflammation in our body. When swelling increases in the internal organs of the body, the efficiency of the digestive system starts getting affected. A weak digestive system is unable to digest food on time, due to which the food remains rotting in the stomach for a long time. During this process of decomposition, various types of harmful acids and gases are formed. Apart from this, eating sweet things suddenly increases the acid secretion in the stomach. If your stomach is empty and you have eaten something sweet, then that acid directly damages the sensitive walls of the stomach, due to which the problem of gastritis and heartburn can become severe. Necessary changes in lifestyle and diet to get relief from acidity: If you want to get permanent relief from frequent acidity and heartburn, then first of all you will have to reduce the amount of refined sugar and sweets in your diet. Natural alternatives like stevia, jaggery (in moderation) or honey can be used in place of sugar, although their consumption should also be limited. Include fiber-rich items like green vegetables, whole grains and fresh fruits in your diet so that the digestive system remains strong. Instead of eating a lot of food at once, eat small meals 4 to 5 times a day. Avoid the habit of lying down immediately after eating and keep a gap of at least two to three hours between dinner and sleeping. Drink adequate amount of water so that toxins are flushed out from the body and acid levels remain balanced. If the problem persists, consult a qualified gastroenterologist.