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Home » Acidic Foods

Why Does Avocado Give Me Heartburn?

aaron l gravelyMedically Reviewed by Aaron Gravely, MD · Written by Rizza Joyce Mira, MD · Updated on February 19, 2023

Although they're high in calories and fat, avocados are highly nutritious. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for cardiovascular health. Whether eaten on their own or as part of a dip, avocados are delicious and a great addition to a healthy, balanced diet. 

Why Does Avocado Give Me Heartburn?

However, many people nowadays suffer from acid reflux and its unpleasant symptom, heartburn. These people may need to limit their intake of acidic foods to avoid triggering heartburn; some are especially sensitive to certain foods.

Avocados don't taste acidic, so why would they cause heartburn in some?

Table of Contents
  • Why Does Avocado Cause Heartburn?
  • Is Avocado Acidic?
  • How Does Avocado Cause Heartburn?
  • Is Avocado Healthy?
  • Can You Make Avocado Easier for Your Digestive System?
  • Conclusion

Why Does Avocado Cause Heartburn?

Avocados are high in fat, which stays in your stomach longer, stimulating gastric acid production. If you produce too much acid, it may reflux up your esophagus and cause heartburn. 

However, as they're healthy and nutritious, including some avocado in your diet benefits your health if you tolerate the fat content.

Is Avocado Acidic?

Avocados have a pH of between 6.27 and 6.58, so they are slightly acidic. However, they also have alkaline-forming properties and a mild taste, which makes them easier on your digestion. 

Avocado contains 975 mg of potassium
  • 10 Once Popular Foods and Drinks No One Is Buying Anymore

Avocados don't cause heartburn in everyone but do in some, occasionally severe. Everyone may experience heartburn, so it's not necessarily a sign of acid reflux or GERD. 

How Does Avocado Cause Heartburn?

Most calories in avocado are from fat, which is difficult to digest. 

Avocados also contain compounds that relax the muscles between your esophagus and stomach, making it easier for gastric acid to reflux up the esophagus and cause heartburn. 

  • Top 15 Alkaline Foods You Should Include in Your Diet 
Eggs And Avocado On Toasted Bread
Eggs And Avocado On Toast

Avocados are also high in vitamin C, which may irritate your stomach and esophagus. 

  • Ask an Expert: Alkaline Diet – Best Practices

Is Avocado Healthy?

Avocados are nutritionally balanced, containing carbohydrates, protein, and fat. 

They also contain vitamins C, E, and K, folate, pantothenic acid, potassium, and copper. 

Avocados are a great source of fiber and other compounds that keep your gut healthy. 

Avocados are very nutritionally balanced
Avocados are very nutritionally balanced

Fiber stimulates gut bacteria's growth, reducing inflammation in your digestive tract. 

Other compounds in avocados may reduce your risk of stomach and colon cancer by preventing the growth of cancerous cells.

Eating avocados can also lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. 

  • Why Does Water Give Me Heartburn?

The healthy fats and other compounds in avocados lower bad cholesterol levels while increasing the good, preventing arterial plaque buildup and reducing blood pressure.

Avocados contain antioxidants, which flush out harmful free radicals, reducing your risk of chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer. 

They also contain lutein, a compound that improves eye health and prevents age-related macular degeneration. 

Although they're high in calories and fat, avocados contain healthy fat and fiber that may help you lose weight.  

Avocados contain healthy fat and fiber
Avocados contain healthy fat and fiber

The fiber and healthy fat in avocados keep you feeling full longer after eating, and those of a healthy weight are less likely to suffer from GERD. 

  • Why Do Bananas Give Me Heartburn?

Can You Make Avocado Easier for Your Digestive System?

If avocados give you heartburn, try eating just a little with some high-fiber foods. Fiber soaks up excess stomach acid, preventing it from rising up your esophagus and causing heartburn. 

You can use avocado to make green smoothies with spinach, kale, cucumber, and other alkaline-forming vegetables. A diet rich in these can help you manage your acid reflux symptoms.

Avocados on bruschetta
Avocados on bruschetta

Conclusion

Avocados are only slightly acidic, but as they're high in fat, they can cause heartburn in some people. 

Don't know what to drink? Check out these articles: 20 Most and Least Acidic Juices and 20+ Alcoholic Drinks Ranked by Acidity Level

Related posts:

  1. Does Eating Avocado Have Health Benefits? 20 Research Papers Examined
  2. Are Avocados Acidic?
  3. What to Drink for Acid Reflux? Here's Everything You Need to Know
  4. Is Avocado High in Oxalates?
  5. Top 10 Ways to Get Rid of Acid Reflux Fast
  6. Best Natural Juices to Relieve Acid Reflux and GERD

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aaron l gravely

Aaron L. Gravely, MD earned his MD from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and BA in Neurobiology from Harvard College.

Aaron has over 5 years of experience revising medical content and scientific language for usage, flow, and clarity in accordance with the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and the American Medical Association (AMA).

More about us →

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  • Are Avocados Acidic?Are Avocados Acidic?
  • What to Drink for Acid Reflux? Here's Everything You Need to KnowWhat to Drink for Acid Reflux? Here's Everything You Need to Know
  • Is Avocado High in Oxalates?Is Avocado High in Oxalates?

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