How to enjoy holiday feasts without the heartburn: tips from an expert

Heartburn is the food version of a hangover. Experienced as a pain in the chest, it is caused by acidic stomach content flowing back up into the gullet

Advancing age, stress and anxiety can be triggers; to avoid it, a gastroenterologist says, don’t overeat, or eat near bedtime, and limit your alcohol intake

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It is easy to overindulge during the holiday season - and you risk getting heartburn if you do. A doctor advises practising portion control and watching how much alcohol you drink. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 6:45pm, 22 Dec 2021

Special foods are among the pleasures of holiday celebrations. On the negative side, for people with digestive diseases or those who overindulge, holiday feasting can quickly produce heartburn – the food version of a hangover.

Dr James East, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, explains why this sometimes happens and how we can enjoy the menu while also making holidays happy for our digestive systems.

Indigestion, or an upset stomach, can be caused by overeating; eating fatty, greasy or spicy foods; consuming too much caffeine, chocolate, alcohol or carbonated beverages; smoking; anxiety and certain medications, such as some antibiotics, pain relievers and iron supplements.

It also can be a symptom of an underlying digestive disease, such as pancreatitis, coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome or gastritis.

For people with digestive diseases or those who overindulge, holiday feasting can produce the food version of a hangover. Photo: Getty Images

While indigestion involves discomfort in the upper abdomen, heartburn is a pain in the chest behind the breastbone.