Heartburn is a common pain that adults throughout the United States experience every day. According to John Hopkins Medicine, about 20 percent of adults struggle with heartburn and acid reflux. Although there are drug treatments and surgery that can correct acid reflux, for most people simple lifestyle changes can reduce or stop symptoms.
Acid reflux is when stomach acid splashes up into the esophagus. This splashing results in someone feeling heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest. (Note: If you have acid reflux more than twice a week, you could have a more serious disease called gastroesophageal reflux disease.) Things that trigger acid reflux include smoking, drinking alcohol, being overweight, stress, acidic foods, fatty foods, and poor elimination. The are different ways you can prevent getting acid reflux by trying these easy tips before you eat.
- Drinking water before meals can dilute stomach acid and decrease the chances it will come back up.
- Eating almonds before meals can help relieve the symptoms of acid reflux.
- Cooking with coconut oil or drinking raw coconut milk can prevent stomach acid from splashing into the esophagus.
Eating smaller meals throughout the course of the day, eating before it’s late at night and not laying down immediately after meals are also ways to limit acid reflux. Chalky anti-acid pills may be making your acid reflux worse because they increase the alkalinity in your stomach, which causes your stomach to produce more acid. If you’re already experiencing heartburn, try these healthy remedies to soothe your pain.
- Eating pples and bananas after a meal have been shown to lessen heartburn
- Drinking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed in 4 ounces of water is a quick way to cut down acid reflux
- Drinking one ounce of Aloe Vera juice mixed with two ounces of water can reduce stomach inflammation
- Licorice root tea coats the esophagus preventing pain and damage from stomach acid
- Chewing a fresh basil leaf can soothe your esophagus and stomach
- Organic raw honey is known to neutralize the pH of stomach acid, making it less painful if it comes back up.
These tips can provide relief, but you should consult a medical professional to find out why you are getting acid reflux and if it is a sign of a more serious condition.
What other tips do you have for soothing acid reflux discomfort?
h/t: U.S. News and World Report, Web MD, and Kim Synder
I don’t suffer from this regularly, however, I do something suffer and it’s excruciating. Thanks for the tips, hopefully they help when and if I have another flare up. Coffee and tomatoes are two definite triggers!
I had ribcage injuries a while back, and was under a ton of stress, and started getting heartburn which was weird because i’m realatively healthy and young. I finally ended up seeing a doctor and had to take a course of prevacid…it worked though!
This is something I suffer from everyday. I have chronic acid reflux and a hiatal hernia and it is not fun. I take prescription drugs to keep it at bay but some other things that help prevent it are not drinking coffee on an empty stomach, avoiding spicy foods, and taking it easy on red wine (although that’s my drink of choice!). Besides the things mentioned above, other common triggers for acid reflux are onions, garlic, grapefruit, pineapple, chewing gum, tomato sauce, soda, and chocolate. Although I’ve never cut any of these things out of my diet, I try to limit them.
Thanks for the tips everyone! And I’m sorry for all of you who have dealt with acid reflux — I know it can’t be fun but I’m glad you don’t let it get in the way of enjoying your favorite foods 🙂
The best remedy is prevention. Stick to a low acid diet and avoid things that trigger acid reflux. Everyone is different so just pay attention and in most cases can be avoided.