3 Simple, Natural Home Remedies For Effective Acid Reflux Prevention

Do you feel your stomach and chest burning after eating late-night snacks? Are you frequently troubled by acidity due to irregular meal times? If yes, here are some simple lifestyle tips to help you avoid acid reflux and keep this condition at bay.

What you need to know:

Understanding acid reflux
Causes and symptoms
Dietary management of acid reflux in summer

Understanding acid reflux

Acid reflux is a prevalent health issue caused by the excessive production of stomach acid, which causes a burning sensation. The esophagus, the tube that links the mouth to the stomach, is protected by the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This sphincter opens to allow food and liquid into the stomach and shuts to prevent the backflow of stomach acid. However, if the LES is weakened or relaxes inappropriately, it can cause stomach acid to rise to your esophagus, resulting in acid reflux.

Causes and symptoms

Here are some common causes of acid reflux:

Stomach abnormalities: One common cause of acid reflux disease is a hiatal hernia, which can occur in people of any age. A hiatal hernia happens when the upper part of the stomach and LES move above the diaphragm, the muscle wall separating your stomach from your chest. When it works correctly, the diaphragm typically prevents acid from rising into the esophagus. But if you have a hiatal hernia, acid can more easily move up into the esophagus.
Pregnancy: Many women experience acid reflux for the first time during pregnancy. This is caused by increasing levels of hormones combined with pressure from the growing fetus. The symptoms almost always go away after delivery.
Smoking: Smoking contributes to acid reflux disease in the following manner:

Damaging mucus membranes
Impairing muscle reflexes in the throat
Increasing acid secretion
Reducing salivation, which neutralizes the effect of acid

Other causes: Here are some common causes that can lead to acid reflux:

Consuming excessive amounts of any food, mainly if it’s oily, processed, or spicy.
Eating food and then immediately lying down.
Insufficient physical activity and sleep.
Experiencing stress and anxiety.

Here are some common acid reflux symptoms that you can experience:

Feeling a sharp burning sensation in your chest, throat, and stomach.
Experiencing nausea accompanied by sour-tasting belches, also known as regurgitation.
Bloating and abdominal pain.
Experiencing pain in the chest that could sometimes be confused with heart attack symptoms.

Dietary management of acid reflux in summer

Here are some standard dietary management techniques for acid reflux that you can follow this summer:

Foods to avoid

The following food items can trigger acid reflux. Therefore, avoid including them in your diet:

Processed snacks that are high in sodium and spices
Chips, pizzas, nachos
Fried fast foods like burgers and fries
Excess caffeine intake
Street food items like samosa or oily chinese food
Processed meats like sausages or bacon
Carbonated drinks like soda or energy drinks with high dietary fat

Foods to embrace

Here are some food types that you can consume to prevent acid reflux:

Alkaline foods

Incorporating alkaline foods into your diet can help maintain your blood’s pH balance and reduce the risk of acid reflux. Items such as apples, bananas, various melons, nuts, cucumbers, lettuce, whole grains, coconut water, and infused water contribute to healthy blood pH levels and serve as indirect remedies for acidity. Add seasonal fruits to your diet as they are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Sabja seeds and mint leaves

Buttermilk combined with mint leaves and sabja seeds offers quick relief from acid reflux. The lactic acid in buttermilk aids in breaking down complex foods, while the coolness of mint leaves soothes the burning sensation associated with heartburn. Mint leaves, known for their healing properties, can significantly alleviate discomfort. Eat foods rich in omega-3 and omega-6 for prostaglandin production, which helps in mucous secretion.

While some food items can help you manage acid reflux, you should also make lifestyle changes to stay healthy and realize your fullest potential. If you want a personalized fitness plan, visit a healthcare expert and stave off acid reflux forever.

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