10 Best Solutions for Acidity or Heartburn

November 16, 2024

10 Best Solutions for Acidity or Heartburn

As Bangladeshis, culturally we are passionate about our food, especially spicy or fried foods. It causes discomfort like acidity, indigestion, and a burning sensation in the chest. Are you suffering from high acidity and looking for the best solution for acidity?

Don't worry, you are in the right place, here we will talk about the 10 best home remedies for acidity. We have covered simple natural solutions like ginger and bananas to manage stress and avoid smoking or drinking.

So, let's explore these easy ways to get rid of an acidic stomach instantly and get relief from heartburn!

5 Common Causes of Acidity

5 Common Causes of Acidity in BD

Acidity, or heartburn, is a common discomfort caused by stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus ( 1 ). Here are 5 common causes of acidity that you can easily avoid for better digestive health :

1. Spicy and Oily Foods: These can stimulate acid production and irritate the esophagus and throat.

2. Overeating: Eating too much can pressure the lower esophageal sphincter ( LES), which might increase the risk of acid reflux.

3. Carbonated Soft Drinks: These drinks' carbonation and acidity can help relax the esophageal sphincter. Then it can increase the risk of heartburn and acidity in your stomach.

4. Stress and Anxiety: Emotional stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep can disrupt digestion and lead to acid reflux.

5. Smoking and Alcohol: These substances can irritate the esophagus and weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Which might cause higher acidity in your stomach.

Besides these five causes, there might be other causes, like obesity, pregnancy, citrus fruits, bacterial infections, and more things that might manipulate the acidity ( 2 ).

10 Best Solutions for Acidity

Generally, if you face acidity problems, you may take medications to get relief, right? While medication can help instantly, natural remedies and lifestyle changes are the best long-term solutions. Here are 10 best practices for reducing acidity using natural methods:

Generally, if you face acidity problems, you may take medications to get relief, right? While medication can help instantly, natural remedies and lifestyle changes are the best long-term solutions. Here are 10 best practices for reducing acidity using natural methods:

1. A mix of Lemon Water & Honey

A mix of Lemon Water & Honey

There is a bit of conflict about whether drinking water is good or bad for managing acidity. However, it is clear that drinking a combination of warm water, honey, and lemon juice can help reduce acidity ( 3 ). These 3 ingredients are available in your kitchen, just you need to put effort into making this natural remedy to get rid of a bloating stomach due to acidity.

2. Portion Control

Eating large meals in one sitting can trigger acidity by putting too much pressure on the stomach. So, you can prevent overeating and reduce the risk of acid reflux by practicing portion control ( 4 ).

Eating smaller, more frequent meals helps the digestive system process food more effectively. Also, it can lower the chances of excess acid production in your stomach. Additionally, chewing your food properly and eating slowly can further ease digestion and reduce acid reflux.

3. Avoid Spicy and Fatty Foods

Spicy and fatty foods can trigger excess acid production in the stomach, which may lead to heartburn and indigestion. Especially, fast foods, fried foods, chili powder, pepper, processed snacks, citrus fruits, pizza, etc can increase acidity ( 5 ).

So, if you avoid these foods from your diet, you can see a significant improvement in reducing acidity. Instead, focus on eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, which are easier to digest in the stomach.

4. Stress and Weight Management

Stress and overweight are both major contributors to acidity. High stress can be a factor in increasing stomach acid production, which may lead to acid reflux disease ( 6 ). If you have stress, you should manage it through activities like yoga, meditation, or exercise.

On the other hand, being overweight puts pressure on the abdomen, which forces stomach contents, including acid, into the esophagus. So, if you are overweight, you should focus on losing weight and becoming slim to have an acidity-free stomach.

5. Stop Alcohol and Smoking

Both alcohol and smoking relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and ease the reflux of foods into the esophagus. It allows stomach acid to rise into the esophagus, causing heartburn and GERD ( 7 ).

So, if you quit smoking and drinking alcohol consumption, it will significantly improve symptoms of acidity. Avoiding these habits not only helps reduce acidity but also improves overall health and well-being.

6. Drink Coconut Water

Coconut Water

Natural alkalizing properties are found in coconut water, which have many benefits, including neutralizing stomach acid. Drinking coconut water can calm the digestive system and reduce acidity symptoms like heartburn. It’s also rich in electrolytes like potassium, which can help balance the body’s pH levels and promote better digestion ( 8 ).

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the best solutions for acidity, heartburn, and other GERD problems. It is a very popular natural remedy for an acidic stomach because it can help balance stomach pH levels. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar helps reduce excess stomach acid and promotes digestion smoothly. But remember that it is not scientifically proven yet that it is safe or not ( 9 ).

8. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural antacid that can provide quick relief from acidity. It works by reducing stomach acid and offers immediate relief from heartburn and indigestion. So you can mix half a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it. But consult your personal doctor before using baking soda for acidity ( 10 ) to stay safe.

9. Ginger

Ginger is a powerful natural remedy for acidity. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce stomach acid and soothe the digestive system. Drinking ginger tea or adding fresh ginger to meals can help prevent acid reflux and promote better digestion ( 11 ).

Ginger is also known to improve stomach contractions, making it easier for food to move through the digestive tract. So, incorporating ginger into your diet can help reduce acidity and improve overall digestive health.

10. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera juice is the last but not least solution for acidity and is well-known for its soothing properties. It can help to reduce inflammation in the stomach and neutralize excess stomach acid. Drinking a small amount of aloe vera juice before meals can prevent acid reflux and soothe the digestive system.

Aloe vera also promotes healing in the digestive tract, making it beneficial for those with chronic acidity, or GERD. However, you should find natural aloe vera juice to ensure it does not have any added sugar or chemicals. And remember, it might not be the perfect solution for everyone because of its side effects ( 12 ).

These 10 best solutions and natural home remedies can help you to manage your acidity. So, using these remedies based on your health and consulting with your doctor can be the way to get rid of acidity and heartburn.

Conclusion

At the end of this blog, we found the best solution for acidity is a mix of natural remedies, healthy eating, and lifestyle changes. If you want to get rid of these digestive issues like acidity, or heartburn, you need to take a wide approach.

We have discussed 10 different tips to enhance your digestive health and solve acidity problems. You can use natural remedies like drinking lemon-honey water, ginger tea, coconut water, etc. Then you need to avoid bad habits like smoking or alcohol and manage stress, ensuring proper sleep.

Also, you need to avoid a few fatty or oily foods, which may increase your stomach acidity. And incorporate daily exercise, and maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle for the quick relief of acidity.

But, don't forget to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice based on your health condition. By understanding the causes and implementing the right strategies, you can enjoy a more comfortable life!

FAQs

How Do You Stop Acidity Quickly?

You can try bananas, yogurt, almonds, ginger tea, or coconut water to stop acidity quickly. You can also chew gum, as it increases saliva production, which helps clear acid from the esophagus. By following these methods, you may get rid of stomach acidity quickly.

Which Drink is Best for Acidity?

Coconut water is one of the best drinks for acidity. It has natural alkalizing properties that help balance stomach acid. Other good options include cold milk, ginger tea, or aloe vera juice. These drinks can also help soothe the stomach and reduce heartburn.

What Are the 10 Most Acidic Foods?

Here are 10 foods that are high in acidity:

  1. Citrus fruits (like oranges and lemons)
  2. Tomatoes
  3. Vinegar
  4. Soda and carbonated drinks
  5. Coffee
  6. Chocolate
  7. Spicy foods
  8. Fried foods
  9. Alcohol
  10. Processed meats (like sausages)

What Foods Reduce Acid?

Foods like bananas, oatmeal, ginger, leafy greens (like spinach), whole grains, almonds, etc. can reduce the acid in the stomach. So, incorporate these foods into your diet to have a healthy digestive system, that is free of acid.

References:

  1. https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/what-is-acid-reflux-disease
  2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17019-acid-reflux-gerd
  3. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/gerd-diet-foods-that-help-with-acid-reflux-heartburn
  4. https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd-acid-reflux/diet-restrictions#avoid
  5. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/gerd-diet-foods-that-help-with-acid-reflux-heartburn
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499926/
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2880354/
  8. https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/beverages
  9. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324034  
  10. https://badgut.org/information-centre/a-z-digestive-topics/baking-soda-for-heartburn/
  11. https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/ginger-for-acid-reflux#benefits
  12. https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/aloe-vera-juice-acid-reflux

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