Q. Several years ago I was experiencing serious heartburn. I had always enjoyed chewing mint gum, and as the symptoms got worse I chewed more and more. I thought that chewing gum was helping the problem.
When I went in to see the doctor, I was shocked to learn the mint was making things worse. I went “cold turkey” on mint and my symptoms disappeared completely in less than two months. I hope you can let people know that mint can contribute to this common problem.
A. Heartburn is caused by acid from the stomach splashing up into the esophagus. Normally, a ring of muscle (the lower esophageal sphincter) keeps acid where it belongs. When the muscle relaxes, it can lead to acid reflux.
Mint, chocolate, alcohol, tobacco, fatty food and prescription drugs such as Valium (diazepam), progesterone and nitroglycerin can all relax the sphincter. Avoiding such triggers can help control heartburn.
Although mint is problematic, chewing gum actually can help heartburn symptoms. It stimulates saliva, which can help wash acid back down into the stomach.
