Reduce Acid Reflux & Heartburn with These 7 Home Remedies
Most of us are familiar with that burning sensation in the center of the chest that usually occurs after eating a meal and leaves a bad taste in your mouth - literally!
But don’t worry, this painful feeling or acid reflux can be treated by making some quick and easy changes to your day to day life that will provide some relief from that burning sensation.
Here are some home remedies for acid reflux and heartburn for you to try:
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Home Remedy |
Description |
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Add Ginger to Your Diet |
Ginger is alkaline and anti-inflammatory, helping to soothe the esophagus and reduce acid reflux. It can also alleviate nausea. |
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Eat Sparingly and Slowly |
Eating smaller, frequent meals instead of large ones can prevent acid build-up in the stomach. Take your time eating to avoid overburdening the digestive system. |
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Go Bananas! |
Ripe bananas are rich in potassium, which makes them alkaline and helps counteract stomach acid. Unripe bananas, however, can trigger acid reflux in some people. |
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Sleep Right! |
Elevating your head 6 to 8 inches while sleeping can prevent acid from traveling up the esophagus. Try to avoid meals right before bedtime. |
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An Apple a Day… |
Apples contain alkalizing minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which can reduce acidity in the stomach. Eating one after a meal may help with reflux. |
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Say No to the Cappuccino |
Caffeine in coffee can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to acid reflux. Limiting or avoiding coffee can prevent heartburn symptoms. |
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Break Up with Stress! |
Stress can worsen acid reflux symptoms. Finding ways to manage stress, such as through relaxation techniques, can help reduce discomfort. |
1. Add ginger to your diet
Adding ginger to your diet can be a gamechanger, not only is it alkaline, counteracting the acid reflux but it also soothes esophageal inflammation as it’s anti-inflammatory. Ginger can also help with the nausea for those who are vulnerable to vomiting when they suffer from heartburn.
2. Eat sparingly and slowly
When your stomach is too full,more acid can reflux into the oesophagus. If it is possible with your schedule, eat smaller meals more frequently rather than having two - three large meals daily. And don’t rush your meals, take your time to savour your meals and be mindful of what you eat.
3. Go bananas!
Eat a ripe banana, the high potassium content in it makes it an alkaline food which helps counterbalance the stomach acid irritating your oesophagus. Additionally bananas are rich in fibers helping good digestive movements.
However, unripe bananas are less alkaline, starch-heavy and may actually be an acid reflux trigger for some people. So be sure to choose a banana that's ripe.
4. Sleep right!
Changing your sleep position by elevating your head 6 to 8 inches higher than your feet, you can do this by using a foam support for your upper body. This can help reduce symptoms of heartburn and improve the quality of your sleep.
Also try to finish your meals three hours before bedtime. Yes, this means no naps after lunch!
5. An apple a day…
Can definitely keep the reflux away! Apples contain calcium, magnesium, and potassium, all alkalizing minerals which help relieve acid reflux. Eating an apple after a meal or before going to sleep can help create an alkaline environment in the stomach and counter the acidity.
6. Say no to the Cappuccino
Coffee drinkers often look for treatment for acid reflux, studies have found that caffeine relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, which could cause acid reflux. So if you are one of those who find coffee gives you heartburn, it’s best to simply avoid it or limit your intake.
7. Break up with stress!
Reducing stress is easier said than done but that doesn’t make it any less true. Stress can take a toll on your body and acid reflux is one of them. Taking steps to reduce stress levels can help ease the symptoms of acid reflux.
There are multiple remedies for heartburn to help relieve the uncomfortable feeling, try these treatments for heartburn.
It’s important to remember you are not what you eat, rather what you digest. There’s a difference between the two! Factors including diet, lifestyle, unique constitution, and even the season can all affect how well your body can digest your food, making simple and small changes in your day to day can make a huge impact and help you #BeBetterEveryday.