Acidity or heartburn is a problem that we all may face in our lives, depending on the type of food we eat and how much we eat. Acidity happens as a result excess consumption of heavy food. The feeling that acidity causes in you is not at all pleasant. First, let’s check out the causes of acidity:
- Consuming a lot of food at a time.
- Being overweight.
- Snacking frequently.
- Pregnancy.
- Eating highly acidic foods
- Consuming alcohol.
- Taking certain medicines.
- Smoking regularly.
- Lying down right after having a heavy meal.
- Bending for a long time after meals.
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Now to the symptoms of acidity:
- Burning feeling in your stomach and heart.
- Bloating.
- Bitter taste in your mouth.
- Black or bloody stools.
- Frequent and untimely hiccups.
- Feeling of nausea.
- Loss of weight.
- Aching of throat.
- Loss of weight.
- Dysphagia, i.e., difficulty in swallowing.
Here are some solutions:
1. Chewing gum
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Would you believe if someone said that the gum that you chew on just to pass your time can also prove to be a great remedy for acidity? Recent researches have accurately revealed the many advantages of chewing gums, and one of these benefits is that it can relieve acidity. We already know that chewing a little gum can make bad breath go away and make your breath smell fresh and cool. However, chewing some gum right after your meal has other benefits too. In a recent study, some people suffering from acidity or gastroesphageal reflex disease were given a small piece of chewing gum to chew on after their meal, and amazingly enough, chewing it for 30 minutes made their acidity go away. Rebecca Moazzez, who is a clinical researcher in the department of dentistry in King’s College, conducted some research and found that when we chew gum, our saliva flow rate is stimulated. When and if acid gets stored in our guts, chewing gum helps in clearing and washing it all away more quickly.
2. Baking soda
This is more of a traditional solution, and our grandmothers will definitely vouch for this, and it is an effective remedy no doubt. An easy ingredient that is always available in our kitchens, this is by far one of the best home remedies for heartburn. So for instant heartburn relief, mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it up. Jacqueline Wolf, who is the associate professor at Harvard Medical School and specializes in medicines, says that the reason that baking soda is an excellent remedy for heartburn is that it is a base, and thus naturally neutralizes the acid that is present in the stomach. But she also warns against consuming baking soda on a regular basis, the reason being that it may have other side effects as it contains a high amount of salt. You may face swelling and nausea if you consume too much baking soda.
3. Raw almonds
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Dr. Millie Lytle who is a doctor of naturopathy in New York advises her patients to eat raw almonds regularly if they are suffering from acidity or heartburn. The reason for this is that almonds produce a lot of alkaline and thus will be able to balance out the pH present in your body. Almonds can have this wonderful effect on your system because they are very rich in calcium.
4. Licorice
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Susan Blum, who is the director and founder of Blum Center of Health, located in Rye Brook, New York, has given the verdict that licorice can be a wonderful solution to acidity in your stomach. She says that because our stomach has acidic properties in it, antacids cannot be the solution to heartburns and indigestion. So if you want to know how to get rid of acidity, Susan suggests you try out licorice, as licorice has properties that can naturally heal your stomach conditions. But then, be careful when you are consuming licorice as a remedy for heartburn as excessive consumption of licorice can have a lot of side effects. Too much licorice can increase your blood pressure. When looking for licorice that can solve your heartburn and acidity problems, be sure to choose the deglycyrrhizinated (DGL) licorice, as this does not have the dangerous form of glycyrrhzic acid in it.
5. Aloe
We all know that aloe is always used to naturally soothe the burns we accidentally get. But Victor Sierpina, who specializes in the study of family medicine at Texas Medical Branch University has said that aloe, in addition to cooling burns can also cool heartburns and improve our stomach’s acidity levels. Aloe vera juice cools down the inflammation that is caused in our stomach or the esophagus. If you want to know how to get rid of acidity with the help of aloe vera, then here’s expert advice on how to drink aloe vera juice to get rid of acidity in your stomach. Just drink half a cup of aloe vera juice before having your meals and you will instantly feel the comfort that it will bring to your digestive system. However, as a warning, you should know that aloe vera juice can also be a laxative, and thus, while choosing aloe vera for relieving acidity, check out the brands before purchasing them, and choose only those that have labels that clearly state that the laxative component has already been removed.
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6. Slippery elm
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Though research about slippery elm is not all that extensive, this is quite a traditional and trustworthy natural element that is used to treat many kinds of diseases and health problems. Slippery elm has thus widely been used in herbal products of various kinds for many years. Furthermore, this particular ingredient is also used to cure gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. This extract has the effect of thickening the lining of mucous that exists in the stomach. As a result of this, a strong barrier is created against the acidity that could afflict the stomach.
7. Warm water and lemon juice
When you wake up in the morning and your stomach is still empty, squeeze some lemon juice into a glass of water after warming it a bit and gulp the drink down. If you do this regularly before you have eaten anything at all, then this drink can help your body in balancing all the acids present in your system in the most natural fashion. What’s more, this drink is even known to be a great digestive help and anyone can drink it.
8. Apple cider vinegar
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Christina. K. Major, who is a nutritionist in Trevorton has said that indigestion is caused by a lack of production of acid, though most of us believe that it is the excessive production of acid that causes all kinds of indigestion and stomach problems. So the correct way to combat acidity is by consuming one or two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar on a daily basis. You can have apple cider vinegar by either mixing it with honey in tea or by drinking it with a cup of warm lemon tea. Christina further suggests that sauerkraut, pickles, and other various kinds of acidic foods help in creating acid in your stomach.
9. Chamomile
Experts say that chamomile or fenugreek or mint tea can help a great deal in reducing acidity and relieving heartburn.
10. Jaggery
This may seem a little too weird, but you will know how effective it is only once you have tried it. So after every meal of yours, take some jaggery, even if it is a small piece, and pop it in your mouth. Sucking on jaggery everyday will help you get rid of acidity.
11. Aniseed
We all know that taking aniseed or saunf after meals helps in digestion, but experts have suggested a concoction that includes aniseed which will better help you in digesting food, and even prevents acidity from forming in your stomach. To prepare this home remedy that will give you instant heartburn relief, all you need to do is boil a cup of water and then add one teaspoon of saunf in it. Next, cover this water and leave it like that overnight. In the morning, just strain this water and add a teaspoon of honey to it. As this is one of the most trusted and popularly used home remedies for heartburn, we can assure you that this will cure all your acidity problems in no time.
12. Cardamom
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Make a powder of one cardamom and one clove and consume this after having your meal. This is one of the handy remedies for relieving acidity.
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13. Caraway seeds
Mix a teaspoon of caraway seeds to one and a half liters of water. Let it boil and then sip on it while it is still warm.
14. Lemon balm
Lemon balm is another natural remedy for any kind of problems of your stomach, including acidity.
With these effective tips on how to get rid of acidity, you won’t ever have heartburn.
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