9 Ways To Effectively Treat Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux is a very common problem faced by a lot of people on a regular basis.It can completely ruin your whole lifestyle because of the chest burn, excessive belching and the discomfort caused by it throughout the day. Diet is often the major cause which leads to this problem of acid reflux.

However, this problem can be easily checked by correcting your diet and including the right kind of foods in your diet. It is also important to exclude foods which are deep-fried and those which contain a lot of fat. Given below are a list of foods which are very effective in combating this problem effectively.

Having Apples

Apples are effective in reducing the symptoms of acid reflux whether consumed in the form of applesauce, apple juice or as the fruit itself. This is because it neutralizes the acid levels in the stomach by altering the ph levels. Before bed, have a bowl of apple cut in slices or a bowl of applesauce, this is helpful in reducing the burning in the chest.

Consuming Honey

Honey is a very rich source of  potassium which makes it a good treatment for acid reflux pain. It is best to avoid all the processed forms of honey which may contain many added chemicals and impurities during processing.

Raw, organic honey is free from all impurities. Having a spoon of honey is known to effective in reducing the burning pains. Honey is also good as a natural sweetener which helps in controlling your blood sugar as well as neutralizing the acids of the stomach.

Including Lemons in your diet

Lemons help to neutralize stomach acids by creating a reaction in the stomach which is caused due to the high potassium content. It is helpful in reducing the symptoms of acid reflux in several cases due to it’s ability in altering the ph levels. Lemonade is best consumed without any sugar. If you must have it sweet, add some honey to the lemonade.

Around 45 minutes to one hour before meals, consume a glass of warm lemon juice . This  is known to be extremely helpful in the process of digestion. You can also consume a glass of warm lemon water between meals to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.

Having Yogurt

Yogurt is very helpful in treating acid reflux because of the presence of good bacteria which helps in the digestion process and helps in opposing the accumulation of acids  in the stomach. It is widely used in cooking, especially in Indian cuisine, as it helps in neutralizing the spices in the curries.

Having Licorice Root Tea

Drinking licorice tea is helpful is treating the pain associated with acid reflux. This is because the licorice forms a mucus covering over the digestive tissues, preventing them from being damaged by the acids of the stomach. You can reap the benefits of licorice by preparing a tea or by using tea bags.

To prepare the tea, take an ounce of licorice and place in boiling water for around 5 or 10 minutes and consume. A more simple way is to use a licorice tea bag. However, before consuming licorice tea, it is highly recommended to consult your doctor as it has been known to increase the blood pressure levels. Licorice tea can be easily found at any health or medical stores.

Using Baking soda

Baking soda is known to be one of the fastest and easiest ways in getting relief from acid reflux as it instantly neutralizes the stomach acids. To treat the symptoms of acid reflux using baking soda, mix half teaspoon of baking soda in one glass full of water. Drink the whole glass of water at once. This has been known to give relief from burning in the chest and symptoms of acid reflux. In this case as well, it is best to consult your doctor as baking soda causes a raise in the blood pressure.

Having Basil

Basil is helpful in controlling the stomach acids and reducing the symptoms of acid reflux. This is because it soothes the lining of the oesophagus thereby preventing it from getting damaged due to the presence of acids. You can prepare a tea by adding a few leaves of basil in a cup of water which is an effective remedy for acid reflux.

You can also add some raw honey to the tea. Avoid the use of milk as it can cause a stomach upset. You can also chew the basil leaves or chill the tea and have it. It does not matter how you consume the basil, it is only important to include it as a part of your everyday diet.

Consuming Whole grains

Whole grains are very important foods to include in your diet because of their thick structure as they help in the absorption of stomach acids. They are good sources of protein, minerals and vitamins. The amount of fibre present in whole grains aids in digestion, the mineral named selenium helps to create a lining on the oesophagus preventing it from the stomach acids.

If the stomach acids come in contact with the oesophagus too often, it can also lead to cancer. Whole grains are good for people who want to lose weight as well, as they help to feel full after eating them. They also help to treat gas and indigestion problems. The whole grains which are helpful in treating acid reflux are brown rice, oatmeal, pasta, crackers, brown rice, brown breads and popcorn.

Including Protein Rich Foods

Protein rich foods help in strengthening the muscles of the oesophagus. Avoid the sources of protein which contain a lot of fat as it causes acid reflux by slowing the process of digestion. This is because when the process of digestion is slow, the more acid is released causing acid reflux.

Choose low-fat sources of protein such as lean beef, skim milk, chicken, egg whites or fish. Cook the food by baking or grilling it, in order to lower fat content.

By including these foods in your diet, you should be able to experience tremendous relief from this problem of acid reflux.