Smoking takes a toll on nearly every major organ in the body, including the stomach. Both smoking and exposure to cigarette smoke can exacerbate gastric issues like heartburn. One reason for this is that smoking encourages inflammation throughout the body, including the throat and stomach. The main reason behind this, however, is that smoking weakens the muscles of the sphincter that protect the esophagus from stomach fluids, allowing them to flow upward into the throat. Though it may be difficult, abstaining from smoking boosts gut health and stops reflux symptoms.

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