Acidity home remedies: Acidity is a very common problem and can happen at any time of the day (or night). You might have eaten something loaded with spices or oil and the next thing you know, you have a burning sensation in your stomach. If you eat foods rich in fat like pizza, pasta, chips, or fries, chances are, you might suffer from the problem of acidity more often. Your daily habits like excessive caffeine intake, sugar consumption, and drinking less water might also be making you a victim of acidity.
All these have the tendency to disturb the body’s natural pH levels and make the stomach acids overflow. If you encounter this problem more than twice a week, chances are that you might have a serious acidity problem – acid reflux, which is known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, commonly known as GERD. The pain can be so bad for some people that it feels like a cardiac problem. Hence, acidity is also recognized as heartburn.
Symptoms of Acidity Are
- Pain and burning sensation in the chest, stomach, or throat
- Flatulence or Gas
- Indigestion
- Bad Breath
- Constipation
- Nausea or feeling of vomiting
- Heaviness in the stomach after eating
- Frequent burps
- Regurgitation of undigested food coming back in our mouth
Acidity Home Remedies
1. Basil Leaves
The soothing and carminative properties of basil leaves can give you instant relief from acidity. At the first sign of gas, eat a few basil leaves or boil 3-4 basil leaves in a cup of water and let it simmer for a few minutes. Sip on it frequently. This is one of the best home remedies for acidity.
2. Black Cumin Seeds
Chew cumin seeds directly or boil 1 teaspoon of them in a glass of water and drink it to relieve acidity.
Black cumin seeds are gastro-protective. They are effective in reducing and preventing acidity and its symptoms like heartburn, pain, nausea, bloating, constipation, etc.
3. Cold milk
Cold milk is one of the most simple home remedies to combat acidity. If you’re not lactose-intolerant, the richness of calcium in milk controls excess secretion of hydrochloric acids, thereby absorbing the acids in the stomach. Cold milk is the perfect antidote for acidity, as it offers instant relief from a burning sensation in the stomach.
4. Ajwain
Ajwain is good to treat any kind of abdominal discomfort that usually occurs, due to indigestion. It is a natural remedy for problems like acid reflux. The active enzymes in ajwain, and the biochemical thymol helps to relieve any kind of gastric problem.
5. Buttermilk
Cold buttermilk is another useful antidote to acidity. To get relief from heartburn, drink up a glass of cold buttermilk. Buttermilk contains lactic acid that neutralizes the acidity in the stomach. The lactic acid further soothes the stomach by coating the stomach lining and reducing the irritation and acid reflux symptoms.
Besides, buttermilk is a naturally occurring probiotic. Probiotics are extremely important for a good digestion process and that’s why many doctors recommend probiotic supplements on a daily basis. The good bacteria present in probiotics prevent the gas build-up and bloating that often causes acid reflux. It also allows the nutrients and foods to be digested and absorbed properly which ultimately eliminates and reduces the possibility of acidity occurrence and keeps your gastrointestinal health in good condition.
6. Pineapple juice
Pineapple juice is another natural remedy to provide relief from acidity and heartburn. Drink a glass of pineapple juice if you have had a spicy meal and detect symptoms of acidity. Pineapple juice is a tried and tested remedy to prevent as well as reduce hyperacidity and heartburn.
Pineapples also contain bromelain, which is an enzyme that helps controls levels of hydrochloric acid in your stomach and works to prevent severe acid reflux. Besides pineapple juice, edible aloe vera juice is also known to be a coolant and a natural remedy to relieve heartburn. (Acidity home remedies)
7. Baking soda
Baking soda has numerous properties and one of them is providing relief from acid reflux. Add 1/4th teaspoon of baking soda in half a glass of water and mix the liquid nicely. Drink the concoction and get relief from stomach issues for a while.
8. Cardamom
Chewing 1 cardamom pod every day helps to prevent acidity, flatulence and improves digestion.
9. Banana
Consuming bananas neutralizes acidity and gives relief from heartburn. A mixture of milk and banana helps to suppress excess acid secretion.
10. Cloves
Suck a piece of clove to get rid of acidity and its symptoms like flatulence, indigestion, nausea, gastric irritability, etc.
11. Raw almonds
Raw almonds are simply natural almonds that have not been soaked or tampered with in any way. In ancient times in the middle eastern countries, almonds were regarded as a natural remedy for ulcers and heartburn. (Acidity home remedies)
Today, medical and natural therapy practitioners advocate the benefits of the nut in curing acidity. Almonds are rich in natural oils which soothe and neutralize the acid in the stomach. The high fiber content of the nut also helps in the digestion process. Besides raw almonds, you can also have almond milk to keep your stomach in good health. Almonds and bananas, when taken together, can be a perfect antidote to acidity. Next time you are suffering from severe heartburn, pop in a handful of almonds rather than over-the-counter pills.
12. Mint leaves
Mint leaves or pudina can also help when suffering from indigestion or acidity. They are one of the best coolants available in nature and thus this property makes them reduce the burning and pain that often accompanies acidity and indigestion. Mint helps lower the acid content of the stomach and improves digestion. Chop on some mint leaves to control and soothe acidity or boil a few leaves and drink the water once it cools to boost stomach and intestine health.
What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux occurs when the contents of your stomach move up into your esophagus. When this happens, you may feel a burning sensation in your chest, which can move into your throat. This is known as heartburn. If you experience acid reflux more than twice a week, you may have a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition that affects about 20% of people in the United States.
Common causes of Acidity
- Over-eating
- Eating at odd times or skipping meals
- Unhealthy eating habits like having too much tea, coffee, cold- drinks, junk, spicy, oily food, etc.
- Stomach ailments like Ulcers, Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), etc.
- A bad lifestyle like taking too much stress, sleeping less, smoking, drinking alcohol, etc.
What to Drink for Acid Reflux
1. Chocolate
Chocolate contains both caffeine and cocoa, and both of these increase the symptoms of acid reflux. Hot cocoa or chocolate milk can, therefore, act as a trigger.
2. Herbal Tea
Green and black teas contain caffeine, which, like coffee, can trigger acid reflux symptoms. Certain types of herbal teas, on the other hand, can help alleviate your discomfort. These teas include chamomile, ginger, and licorice.
3. Kefir
Kefir is a fermented drink that is a little bit like a slightly fizzy drinkable yogurt. It often has a slight tanginess, which can be stronger if the drink hasn’t been sweetened first.
The probiotics in kefir are an important reason for choosing this drink. Probiotics are a way to improve the bacteria in your gut, creating a better balance of healthy microbes. This can be critical for anyone whose gut bacteria is compromised in some way, such as if you have been taking antibiotics for an infection. (Acidity home remedies)
4. Almond Milk
If you’re sensitive to dairy, then plant-based milk may be a better choice for acid reflux. While any type of plant-based milk could do the trick, almond milk is the most recommended choice.
Almond milk is notable because it is alkaline. This may help to neutralize your acid reflux and calm symptoms down faster.
5. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is another herbal tea option. The tea is most well-known for its calming effects, which is why many people drink it as a sleep aid. The calming nature of chamomile could be highly relevant for acid reflux, as there is a link between acid reflux and stress.
There isn’t much evidence that chamomile tea will decrease acid reflux, but that scarcely matters. The tea isn’t likely to make your symptoms any worse. It also happens to be delicious and perfect at the end of the day.
Also read: Treating An Ear Infection During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms & Remedies
Can some drinks help acid reflux?
GERD symptoms can be enhanced or reduced based on what we eat or drink. Acidic foods and drinks should be eliminated from the diet as they enhance the symptoms of GERD, which are heartburn and acid reflux. Researchers suggest the use of functional foods and beverages to be included in the diet to prevent heartburn and acid reflux. Functional foods and beverages are those sources of food that are included in the diet, which help in treating the symptoms of numerous diseases.
According to several studies, there are many drinks for heartburn and acid reflux that can soothe the symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux. Studies suggest that consumption of these beverages at night help in the prevention of heartburn in the morning. Many people complain that they feel discomfort due to heartburn early in the morning.
Also read: Science-Backed Health Benefits of Meditation, According to Experts