Foods to avoid
Foods not to eat when you have AFib are just as important, if not more important than those you should eat. While AFib¬-friendly foods do not always improve your AFib, the foods discussed here can worsen your condition.
Alcohol
If you have atrial fibrillation, you should stay away from alcohol. Instead of simply limiting your consumption, it is better to eliminate it from your diet. Alcohol is a risk factor for AFib in people without the condition.
A 2014 study found [4] that consumption of moderate quantities of alcohol could contribute to the development of this condition. If you cannot eliminate it from your diet, a more recent study recommends [5] a daily limit of two drinks for men and one for women to remove the risk of AFib.
Alcohol worsens AFib in those already affected. Studies show [6] that alcohol consumption may trigger AFib episodes, especially in people who have diabetes or other cardiovascular diseases. It also worsens other AFib risk factors [7] like hypertension and sleep apnea.
As research is not concluded on this topic, cutting alcohol out is still your best option. A recent study [8] showed that AFib patients who were regular drinkers experienced much fewer episodes after quitting alcohol.