Esophagus is a tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an immune system disorder where the stomach acid backs up into one’s esophagus and inflames the organ’s sensitive tissues. Research shows that EoE is likely to affect men more than women. Recognized as a leading cause of digestive system illness, EoE is usually triggered by certain foods. Patients are thus recommended to tailor their meals to avoid flare-ups.

Foods to avoid to ease EoE symptoms

Symptoms of EoE

In addition to acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), patients with EoE may exhibit other symptoms like vomiting, pain, and difficulty swallowing solid foods. Children and infants may experience stunted growth and body mass loss. Adults may have chest pain and heartburn, while older children may experience lower appetite and gastrointestinal pain.

Foods to avoid for EoE

The therapy for EoE patients usually involves eliminating all foods that trigger the condition and gradually reintroducing them into the meal plan to determine the main cause. Once a healthcare professional recognizes which food is causing the reflux, they may suggest long-term alternatives for those foods.

Milk and other dairy products

According to research, one of the main variables that inflame the body and worsen EoE is milk. An EoE patient’s immune system may identify milk proteins as dangerous and cause an allergic response. So, it is advised to cut out dairy items like cheese, buttermilk, ice cream, condensed milk, mayonnaise, yogurt, cream, and butter from one’s daily food intake until the cause of the illness has been recognized. One can choose dairy-free options until then, like vegan cheese made of tapioca starch and nutritional yeast, or coconut or almond milk.

Foods and beverages with added sugar

Fructose-rich drinks like regular soda, energy drinks, sweetened fruit drinks, and sweetened tea or coffee are best avoided until the source of one’s flare-ups is recognized. Sugary drinks lack fiber, protein, and other minerals and are easily absorbed by the body. These items raise the body’s uric acid levels and cause weight and metabolic problems while also worsening the symptoms of EoE. Similarly, foods that contain artificial sweeteners, refined sugar, and corn syrup are also best avoided. Those with a sweet craving can replace these items with fresh fruits like apples, pears, and cherries.

Purine-rich foods

Certain foods like dry beans, red meat, seafood, turkey, mushrooms, cauliflower, and sardines naturally contain purines. The body produces uric acid while digesting these foods. One may experience a spike in one’s uric acid levels after consuming them. So, it’s best to avoid them.

Chili and hot pepper

Hot and spicy meal ingredients like peppers and chilies contain high levels of capsaicin, which, according to research, may lead to heartburn in some people.

Coffee

The body produces gastric secretions when one consumes coffee. These secretions are very acidic in nature and can cause heartburn. One can substitute coffee with herbal teas, fresh fruit juices, or plain water until the condition is managed.

Chocolate and other high-fat foods

It’s best to avoid high-fat foods like chocolate, potato chips, bacon, cheese, and fried foods. The valve-like muscles that prevent the stomach contents from going back into the esophagus loosen or relax after eating them. The stomach also takes longer to digest and eliminate them from the body, making the esophagus tissues more vulnerable.

Apart from food, environmental variables like pollen inhalation may also cause allergic EoE responses in some people. Some EoE patients may notice that their symptoms worsen during the common allergy seasons of spring and summer. Other risk factors for the condition include an extremely cold and dry environment, a family history of EoE, and chronic respiratory diseases like asthma.