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Do Spicy Foods Cause Barrett's Esophagus?

Barrett's esophagus is a digestive disorder that affects an estimated 1.6 to 6.8 percent of the population, primarily Caucasian men. In this condition, cells in the tissue lining the esophagus change to resemble intestinal tissue. People with Barrett's esophagus may have chest pain, trouble swallowing, dry cough and frequent heartburn. They also have a slightly higher risk of developing a cancer known as esophageal adenocarcinoma. One way to prevent Barrett's esophagus is to promptly treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which is linked to a greater incidence of the disorder. Eliminating spicy foods from your diet may not help.

  1. Spicy Foods and Barrett's Esophagus

    • The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse notes that scientists aren't certain what causes Barrett's esophagus. Still, 5 to 10 percent of people who've had GERD for years go on to develop Barrett's esophagus. Not all people who have the condition experience heartburn or acid reflux though, points out MayoClinic.com. While some people may experience throat soreness after eating lots of spicy food, evidence does not suggest that spicy foods directly cause Barrett's esophagus.

    Spicy Foods and GERD

    • For some people, certain things, such as spicy foods, seem to cause bouts of heartburn or acid reflux, when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach doesn't close entirely, allowing acid from the stomach to flow up into the esophagus. If this regularly happens more than twice a week, you may have GERD. Like Barrett's esophagus, GERD isn't directly caused by one thing; common risk factors include smoking, obesity, diabetes, asthma and medical disorders, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or scleroderma.

    Expert Insight

    • People with GERD often are told to avoid some foods, including alcohol, chocolate and spicy dishes, in order to help control their symptoms and decrease their risk of complications, such as Barrett's esophagus. However, a review study published in the "Archives of Internal Medicine" in 2006 suggests that these dietary restrictions might not be useful at controlling GERD or preventing Barrett's esophagus. The study, which was led by Stanford gastroenterologist Dr. Lauren Gerson, examined more than 2,000 studies about GERD, published between 1975 and 2004. Gerson and her colleagues reported that no dietary changes -- including eliminating spicy foods -- proved to be consistently effective at helping treat or prevent GERD.

    Recommendations

    • Gerson's study, however, did determine two factors that decreased the symptoms of GERD and the risk of Barrett's esophagus: losing weight and sleeping with the head of your bed elevated. Gerson told the "Stanford Report" that instead of telling her patients to stop eating certain foods that may potentially cause heartburn and acid reflux, she advises keeping track of what they eat and whether specific items seem to trigger symptoms. If certain foods do, she recommends they try eliminating only that food. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may also help you avoid GERD and Barrett's esophagus.

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