Mint: Although it may seem digestive, mint can relax the sphincter. Avoid mint tea after meals if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux.
Chocolate: I’m sorry to tell you this. Chocolate contains theobromine and fats, and this combination can relax our esophageal valve. A good tip is to reintroduce it gradually later to determine your tolerance level. But to start, it’s best to eliminate it completely and observe the results.
Alcohol: It irritates the mucous membrane and relaxes muscle tone. A glass in the evening makes it easier for the valve to open in the morning. It is best to avoid it.
Tobacco: Smoking reduces sphincter tone. The more you smoke, the worse it gets. Each cigarette weakens the barrier, so it’s essential to quit.
What about coffee and tomatoes? Reactions vary greatly. For some people, they worsen symptoms through irritation or by stimulating acid production. For others, they have no effect. My advice: if you have a sore throat, avoid them at first. You can then reintroduce them gradually, one at a time, to observe your body’s reaction.
5. Your 3-step repair protocol for a more toned digestive system
So how do we fix this? It’s not necessary to be perfect from the start, but a system is needed. I propose a three-level approach.
Level 1: Engineering Control (Nutrition and Mechanism). Eat dinner 3 to 4 hours before bedtime. The stomach should empty while standing, thanks to gravity. Also, avoid any external pressure. If you are overweight, losing
