Eating too much food requires your organs to work harder. They secrete extra hormones and enzymes to break the food down. To break down food, the stomach produces hydrochloric acid. If you overeat, this acid may back up into the esophagus resulting in heartburn.

Can eating too much cause acid reflux?

Overeating. Overeating can trigger heartburn. That's because the stomach remains distended when there are large quantities of food in it. There is a muscle located between your esophagus and your stomach.

What helps acid reflux from overeating?

Don't Overeat

Increased pressure against the LES can cause heartburn. Instead of eating three large meals a day, try eating six small meals or three small meals and three snacks. 1 This will help keep your stomach from getting too full.