Regurgitation (digestion)

Regurgitation is when food that has already been swallowed comes back up into your mouth. This might happen if you eat too much, eat too fast, or eat foods that are hard to digest. It's like when you take a bite of food and don't chew it well enough, and then you have to spit it out because it's not easy to swallow.

Your body has a special muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that controls the flow of food from your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach) to your stomach. When you swallow, your LES opens to let the food go through and then closes to keep your stomach acid from coming up into your throat.

But sometimes, the LES doesn't close properly or opens at the wrong time, which can cause food to come back up into your mouth. This is called regurgitation. It feels like a big burp, and sometimes there's a sour or bitter taste in your mouth.

Regurgitation isn't usually a big problem, but it can be uncomfortable and unpleasant. To help prevent it, try eating slowly and chewing your food well. Avoid foods that are hard to digest or that give you heartburn. And if you feel like you're going to regurgitate, take a deep breath and try to relax.