Heartburn is a chronic complaint among almost 60 million individuals across the U.S. A common symptom of acid reflux, heartburn results when stomach acids regurgitate back up into the esophagus due to a weakened esophageal sphincter muscle, causing a dull burning in the lower chest. Keep in mind that many foods trigger heartburn when they cause the esophageal sphincter to relax, which is what allows food and digestive juices to escape back up into the esophagus.

Here are a few common trigger foods that cause heartburn:

1. Chocolate
Chocolate is one food that many of us tend to overdo. I mean, how hard is it to have one small square of your favorite bar and put the rest away for another day? It’s torture, right? Chocolate, or more precisely cocoa, is also high in fat and a feel-good brain chemical known as serotonin, which has a relaxing effect on the esophageal sphincter muscle, causing heartburn.

2. Citrus fruit
Lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit juices are commonly tied to heartburn and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Food scientists speculate that consuming high acidity citrus fruits on an empty stomach may lead to heartburn when they’re are inadequate stomach acids present in order to properly and comfortably break down undigested food.

3. Onions and garlic
The raw forms of these allium foods, in addition to leeks, chives, and shallots, are common heartburn triggers. These foods are considered fermentable foods by nature, which means they are made of a type of fiber (that falls under FODMAP or Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols) foods and tends to cause heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach upset.

4. Sodas
Carbonated beverages, such as sodas and beer, are common heartburn culprits because they increase stomach acid acidity while causing the esophageal sphincter to relax and allow stomach acids to enter the esophagus. According to a Japanese study conducted by Seoul National University Hospital, almost 70% of adults who admitted to drinking a carbonated beverage before bed, suffered heartburn.

5. Spicy foods
Hot sauce, hot wings, pepperoni, or mom’s spicy marinara, if they contain a plant compound known as capsaicin (which is what gives food it’s spice) chances are you will probably suffer heartburn backlash. Foods rich in capsaicin naturally decrease the digestive process, which means undigested food may come back at you via the esophagus.