While our immediate and natural response is to reach for that
Symptoms
Acidity is a medical condition that refers to the excess production of stomach acid. This acid is produced by the stomach glands and helps in digesting food. Excess acid can cause acidity or acid reflux, ie acid rising up from the stomach into the throat. Acid reflux can also cause heartburn, which is a burning sensation or pain in the lower chest area.
Tip: Acidity and its symptoms shouldn’t be taken lightly as they can cause serious problems over time.
Causes
Eating a heavy meal and lying on your back immediately after that or bending over at the waist or even snacking close to your bedtime can cause acidity. Additionally, certain foods such as citrus, tomato, garlic or spicy food and certain beverages like
Healthy Habits
Acidity and heartburn can be prevented by indulging in some healthy habits as listed below.
Don’t Overeat: A large meal often triggers acidity more often than not. What happens if when your stomach is full, there is a greater chance that the stomach acids can be pushed back up the esophagus which will trigger reflux, indigestion, stomach spasms and discomfort. Instead, eat smaller portions but at regular intervals to prevent acidity. This is a good tip also because staying hungry for too long or having long-time gaps between your meals can also cause acidity.
Alcohol Intake: Drinking alcohol is associated with acid reflux. Alcohol and alcoholic drinks can also make the stomach produce more acid than usual. Over time, this can cause the stomach lining to wear away, leading to pain and inflammation, also called gastritis.
Chew Gum: It’s really that simple! The digestive process actually begins in our mouth. Gum stimulates the flow of saliva, which in turn keeps the acid levels down and balances your pH levels. After your meal, chew on some gum for ten minutes as one of the home remedies for indigestion.
Don’t Sleep on Your Right Side: When you hit the bed, turn onto your left side and sleep. This position prevents acid reflux as it does not allow corrosive stomach acids to enter the esophagus.
Tip: Turn to healthy eating and lifestyle habits and you’ll see the results.
Low-Carb Diet
Eating the right foods helps keep acidity in check. Add the below foods to your daily diet and see the difference for yourself.
Banana: Bananas are extremely beneficial for gut and stomach health because of their high fiber content which enhances the digestion process. They are rich in potassium and increase the production of mucus in the stomach which prevents the excess acid formation and also fights the harmful effects of excessive acid production. A ripe banana is a perfect antidote to severe bouts of acidity.
Cold Milk: It is a known fact that milk contains a high amount of calcium which makes it a superfood for bone health. But did you know that calcium is also one of the main ingredients in your over-the-counter antacids? Calcium helps to maintain the pH balance and aids in proper digestion.
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. 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.
Almonds: Another home remedy that works well to relieve acidity is raw almonds. Raw almonds are simply natural almonds that have not been soaked or tampered with in any way. In ancient times in middle eastern countries, almonds were regarded as a natural remedy for ulcers and heartburn. 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.
Tip: Eat and drink the right things to prevent acidity in the first place.
How To Treat
If the acidity and heartburn symptoms are too much to bear, you can turn to some common kitchen and pantry ingredients for relief.
Peppermint Tea: Peppermint tea can help with digestion and stomach pain. However, if you have acid reflux or GERD, avoid ingesting peppermint tea as it can worsen the problem.
Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea is well known for its soothing properties and for decreasing inflammation. Studies show that it can calm and soothe the nervous system, and be one of the home remedies for acidity and heartburn.
Fennel Seeds: Fennel seeds contain a compound called anethole which works as a soothing agent for the stomach and prevents spasms and flatulence. It is also loaded with vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber that aids the process of good digestion. As it also contains anti-ulcer properties it cools the lining of the stomach and helps in relieving constipation as well. Fennel seeds are one of the effective home remedies for acid reflux in pregnant women. A lot of pregnant women suffer from severe indigestion during pregnancy, but they are prohibited from taking a lot of food items and medicines. Fennel seeds function as one of the home remedies for acidity and heartburn.
Lemon Water: Although lemon juice is acidic, ingesting small amounts of it mixed with water can have an alkalizing effect, thus helping in acidity.
Tip: So, now that we have told you some super accessible kitchen ingredients to beat the acidity blues, try to opt for these natural remedies rather than the closest bottle of antacid available when you experience discomfort, nausea or burning due to acidity.
-Kankana Roy Jain (Femina) medies for acidity, heartburn