The Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) is responsible for separating the gullet and the stomach, this muscle works as a valve. If the LES relaxes then this makes it possible for the acids to move into the oesophagus, this is one of the main causes for heartburn.

There are some foods and drinks that can increase the risk of you suffering from heartburn, these include any caffeine containing drinks, which relax the LES which allows acid to flow into the oesophagus.

Theobromine is found in chocolate, and caffeine, this chemical causes the LES to relax. Fatty foods take longer to digest, and so slow the process down. If food is kept inside our stomachs for a long time there is increased pressure on the stomach muscles, this weakens the LES muscle and so causes a reflux. Again, one of the causes for heartburn.

There are some foods that increase the production of stomach acid, an example of such a food includes anything that contains tomatoes. This increase of acid increases the risk of heartburn quite simply because there is more acid in your stomach than normal.

If you smoke, then you are weakening your LES, chemicals pass into your blood stream when you smoke resulting in a weaker LES.

You should eat smaller meals if possible, eating a big meal especially just before you go to bed can result in increased pressure pushing against your LES muscle. Therefore there is a chance that some digested food will ultimately end up in the gullet.

Another less obvious cause for heartburn is if you wear too tight clothes. If clothes press heavily against your stomach then they force food up against the LES.

The best way to cure your heartburn is to change your lifestyle. Avoid many of the foods and drinks which make the condition worse.