Chocolate and heartburn: evidence of increased esophageal acid exposure after chocolate ingestion
Murphy, D.W.; Castell, D.O.
American Journal of Gastroenterology 83(6): 633-636
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9270 PMID: 3376917 Document Number: 325438
Chocolate has been shown to decrease mean basal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, providing a rationale for the pathogenesis of chocolate-induced reflux symptoms. We assessed the relationship between chocolate ingestion and increased esophageal acid exposure using intraesophageal pH monitoring. Compared with ingestion of a dextrose control solution of similar volume, osmolality, and calories, postprandial ingestion of chocolate resulted in a significant increase in acid exposure in the first postprandial hour in patients with esophagitis. We conclude that this finding supports recommendations that patients with reflux esophagitis abstain from chocolate.