15 Best Home Remedies For Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a common medical condition in which the content of the stomach moves back to the esophagus.

Home remedies for acid reflux are the easiest and cheapest method for reducing acid reflux symptoms.

Acid reflux is called heartburn. When you experience heartburn more than two times a week then, it is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

In North America, 28% of adults experience gastroesophageal disease (GERD). GERD happens when stomach juice is pushed into a food pipe and produces a heartburn sensation.

Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease include:

• Nausea
• Coughing
• Bloating
• Swallowing problem
• Regurgitation
• Chest pain
• Burning sensation in the throat and middle of the chest
• Vomiting in some cases

People are using medications and changing their lifestyles to treat heartburn. If you experience acid reflux symptoms talk to your doctor. 

There are lots of foods good for acid reflux and foods bad for acid reflux. Along with foods certain lifestyles also affect acid reflux symptoms.

In this article, we explain 10 home remedies for acid reflux.

Home remedies for acid reflux

The common and most proven home remedies for acid reflux are:

Avoid trigger foods

To reduce heartburn symptoms avoid bad foods for acid reflux. Triggering foods either increasing the production of acid or decreasing the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle (LES). LES prevents the flow of stomach juice from stomach to esophagus.

Avoiding trigger foods from your diet may relieve acid reflux symptoms drastically.

The most common trigger foods are:

• Potato chips
• Fast food
• Pizza
• Pepper
• Cheese
• Fatty meat
• Citrus fruits
• Pineapple
• Salsa
• Limes
• tomatoes sauce
• alcohol
• fried and spicy foods
• Peppermint,
• tea and coffee
• chocolate
• carbonated beverages
• orange and lemon
• tomatoes

These are the foods that weaken the LES and some of them increase acid production. Avoid these food items if you are experiencing heartburn.

Stop Smoking

Smoking will not only affect your stomach but your whole life. Smoking reduces pressure on LES and increases acid production in the stomach.

As a result of acid production and the weak ability of LES, acid reflux occurs. LES is a valve between stomach and esophagus that prevent the flow of acid from stomach into esophagus.

Ginger

Besides treating vomiting and nausea, Ginger also reduces the symptoms of heartburn. The daily intake of ginger is 1500 mg per day.

To reduce acid reflux symptoms make ginger tea and take it. You can also use ginger in soup, salads or cereals for heartburn.

Sugar free chew gum

Chew gum contains bicarbonate that neutralizes the acid of the stomach to prevent acid reflux.

Scientific studies tell us that chewing gum increases the rate of swallowing and thus reduces reflux in the esophagus.

Chew gum also increases the saliva which reduces acid in the stomach. But the most important thing is to avoid chewing gum that contains sugar. Sugar will worsen reflux symptoms and cause tooth decay.

Healthy body weight

Moderate body weight is key to a healthy life. According to one research, approximately 74% of adults are overweight or obese.

Studies suggest that there is a strong link between acid reflux and obesity. The reason is that excess fat around the abdominal area put pressure on the stomach which weakens the LES.

People who were overweight and acid reflux symptoms, they had got relief from acid reflux by losing weight.

It is important that maintain proper body weight. Losing too much weight will create other health problems.

Use high fiber foods

High fiber foods are a part of a balanced diet. A high fiber diet not only reduces your acid reflux symptoms but also improves digestion and health problems.

High fiber rich foods include:

• cereals
• granary bread
• whole wheat pasta
• porridge oats
• lentils
• beans
• broccoli
• brown rice
• potato skin
• bulgur wheat
• potato

Herbal tea

Herbal tea or decaffeinated tea will improve digestion, vomiting, and nausea and reduce symptoms of acid reflux.

Common herbal teas are:

• fennel tea
• licorice tea
• fruit teas
• chamomile tea
• lemon grass tea
• Green tea

Don’t try mint tea because it worsens acid reflux symptoms.

Aloe vera juice

Besides the many health benefits of aloe vera, it also reduces the symptoms of acid reflux. Aloe vera juice neutralizes acid in the stomach and soothes heartburn symptoms.

Ripe banana

Ripe banana is a natural antacid that neutralizes stomach acidity. It is a rich source of potassium which is alkaline in nature.

Ripe banana is the cheapest remedy for heartburn. Other alkaline foods are cauliflower, nuts, fennel, melons etc.

Reduce stress

Stress and anxiety increase acid production in stomach and also decrease the rate of digestion. Use calming techniques to reduce stress and anxiety.

You will get relief from acid reflux symptoms when you get calm.

Baking soda

Baking soda is a natural and inexpensive home remedy for acid reflux. It neutralizes stomach acid. If you are hypertensive or on a low sodium diet, talk to your doctor about the use of baking soda.

Add half a teaspoon of baking soda into one glass of water and thoroughly dissolve it and then drink it. It will neutralize your stomach acid.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a surprising remedy for acid reflux. Apple cider vinegar neutralizes of acid of stomach.

Add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into a cup of water and drink it before meal or bedtime.

Healthy fats

Healthy fats in moderation reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.

Common healthy fat foods include:

• walnuts
• sesame oil
• sunflower oil
• Olive oil
• Nut butter
• Avocado oil
• Fatty fish
• Flaxseed

Diet plan for heartburn

To reduce heartburn symptoms, dieticians have designed diet plans for GERD patients.

The common diet plans include:

• Tuna and grilled vegetables with whole grain bread sandwich
• Vegetables, low fat cheese and pesto sauce with whole grain pizza
• Berries with oatmeal
• Grilled vegetables with baked skinless chicken
• Salad and hummus dip with grilled vegetable skewers
• Green salad mixed with hummus and whole grain pita bread
• Whole grain toast with poached eggs
• Whole grain toast with avocado
• Salmon and vegetables with brown rice

Lifestyle tips that reduce acid reflux symptoms

To reduce the symptoms of heartburn, adopt these habits in your life. These lifestyle tips will not reduce heartburn symptoms but make you healthy and strong.

• Maintain proper body weight. Being overweight will not affect your stomach but all body functions.
• Stop smoking because smoking increases the acid production in the stomach
• Eat slowly and don’t overeat
• Avoid chew gum or use sugar-free chew gum
• Do at least 5 minute walk after eating
• Raise the head portion of your bed to 4-6 inches to reduce acid reflux symptoms during sleeping.
• Do not use tight cloths
• Use antacids and other medications such as proton pump inhibitors that reduce the production of acid in the stomach.

Summary

Acid reflux is an uncomfortable situation and it creates lots of problems in people’s lives. Several factors are involved in heartburn.

Lots of natural and home remedies for acid reflux are available that treat heartburn. Home remedies are easy and inexpensive.

Making a small change in life, play important role in treating heartburn.

If your symptoms are not getting better then consult a doctor immediately.

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