An annoying ailment known as heartburn (also known as stomach acid reflux disease, or GERD) affects over 60% of adults daily. The top 10 best home remedies for heartburn.
- The most common risk factors include smoking,
- Alcoholism,
- Pregnancy (where the risk of GERD increases fourfold),
- Obesity,
- Consuming loads of spices,
- Caffeine and fatty fried foods,
- Starving for hours,
- Esophagitis (inflammation of your esophagus or food pipe),
- Gastritis and hiatal hernia.
A disorder in which a part of the stomach protrudes upwards into the thoracic cavity or chest via an opening in the diaphragm. H. pylori, a bacterium, is also a known cause of acid reflux.
Heartburn results from lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, allowing acidic stomach contents to reflux into the food pipe, causing discomfort.
Top 10 Home Remedies for Heartburn
The lower esophageal sphincter is a muscle at the lower end of the esophagus, where the food pipe connects with the stomach.
To prevent the stomach contents from getting back into the esophagus, this muscle must contract and close periodically.
These symptoms are controllable through a variety of natural remedies; in fact, we should mention that it is typically home remedies for heartburn that will cure these complaints.
Here are the top 10 best home remedies for heartburn:
1. Several Small Meals
Combat heartburn by embracing preventive dietary and non-dietary measures instead of enduring the irritating symptoms that can plague your well-being.
Part your meals into several small meals (at least six) during the day instead of consuming three large meals.
This approach helps prevent overloading your stomach, reducing the likelihood of excess acid production, and minimizing the chances of heartburn discomfort throughout the day.
2. Watch Your Diet
“You are what you eat!” Avoid the intake of fried fatty foods, caffeinated and carbonated beverages, chocolates, and any processed foods.
All of which predispose to heartburn-like symptoms. Instead, replace your diet with fresh fruits and veggies. Read to reframe dietary rules.
Choose a diet abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables for essential nutrients, limit trigger foods, promote digestive health, and minimize heartburn risks.
3. Avoid Laying Down Soon After Meals
Keep a check on the clock and attempt to have your meal approximately 2-3 hours before hitting the bed. This will allow ample time for food digestion and will prevent heartburn and acid reflux while you are sleeping.
It is noteworthy to know that when a person is lying down, the lower esophageal sphincter is more relaxed than when they are upright.
Hence, the stomach shouldn't be loaded with food when you finally want to sleep.
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda, due to its alkaline nature, neutralizes stomach acid. In a glass of warm water, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda and drink it.
However, it's essential to use baking soda sparingly, as excessive consumption may lead to imbalances in the body's pH levels.
Consult with a healthcare professional before regularly incorporating baking soda into your routine to address heartburn.
5. Probiotics
Your gut flora changes every 20 minutes and contributes to a strong immune system and a healthy gut. Probiotics are predominant in yogurt and curd.
So, make low-fat yogurt an essential part of your regular diet. These beneficial bacteria in yogurt and curd can help maintain a balanced digestive system and alleviate heartburn symptoms.
Incorporating a variety of probiotic-rich foods into your diet, such as fermented vegetables and kefir, can further support a diverse and resilient gut microbiome.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
ACV is beneficial for treating thousands of ailments. ACV provides a natural source of HCl.
The new research shows acid reflux is not because of excessive acid; rather, it is due to a low stomach acid (HCl), as stomach HCl is required to digest the food.
Achlorhydria (no HCl in the stomach causes the stomach enzymes to become functionless, aggravating the reflux symptoms).
To use ACV, add 1 teaspoon of ACV to a glass of water, stir it well, and drink it approximately 10 minutes before meals.
7. Aloe Vera Juice
This herb has tremendously miraculous anti-inflammatory, astringent, and healing attributes. It comprises polysaccharides that accentuate the digestive mechanism.
Drink around two ounces of fresh aloe vera juice daily. Aloe vera's anti-inflammatory properties may provide relief from irritation in the esophagus, making it one of the potential home remedies for heartburn.
Prioritize aloin-free aloe vera juice. Consult a healthcare professional before adding it to your routine, particularly during pregnancy or with underlying health conditions.
8. Coconut Water
Coconut water is an incredible relief for people experiencing heartburn. It aids digestion and enhances metabolism.
It has a rich fiber content and natural gut-soothing enzymes. Incorporate this drink into your day-to-day dietary regime and experience the astounding benefits.
Additionally, coconut water helps maintain hydration and may neutralize excess stomach acid, providing a soothing effect on the digestive system.
Opt for coconut water as a low-calorie, refreshing alternative to sugary drinks to naturally manage and alleviate heartburn symptoms effectively.
9. Exercise and Look After Your Weight
Regular exercise helps to reduce weight (obesity, as aforementioned, is one of the contributing factors to GERD), accelerates intestinal motility, and assists in keeping your heartburn at bay.
Furthermore, maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise not only reduces the risk of GERD but also promotes overall well-being.
Aim for a combination of cardiovascular activities and strength training to enhance digestive processes and minimize the likelihood of experiencing heartburn symptoms.
10. Prop Up While in Bed
When you lie down, try to elevate the head end of the bed by placing at least 2–3 pillows. This hinders the food from refluxing back into the esophagus and causing heartburn.
Additionally, sleeping with your upper body elevated can help gravity keep stomach acid in its place, reducing the likelihood of acid reflux during the night.
Consider using specially designed wedge-shaped pillows or bed risers to create a more comfortable and effective elevation for preventing nighttime heartburn.
In Conclusion
These top 10 home remedies for heartburn offer a diverse and natural approach to managing and preventing heartburn.
These tactics range from straightforward dietary changes to including foods high in probiotics and drinking coconut water.
Lifestyle modifications, like working out and raising the head of the bed, are meant to treat the underlying causes of heartburn.
It's important to remember that individual responses may vary, and consulting with a healthcare professional is advisable, especially if symptoms persist or worsen.
Embrace a holistic approach to managing heartburn, exploring remedies for personalized relief, fostering improved digestive health, and enhancing overall well-being.
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