Top 10 Best Home Remedies for Heartburn

 

 Best Home Remedies for Heartburn

 

Heartburn (gastric acid reflux/GERD) is a bothersome condition experienced by approximately 60% of adults daily. Most common risk factors include smoking; alcoholism; pregnancy (where the risk of GERD increases four-fold); obesity; consuming loads of spices, caffeine, fatty fried foods; starving for hours; esophagitis (inflammation of your esophagus/food-pipe); gastritis; and hiatal hernia (a disorder in which a part of the stomach protrudes upwards into the thoracic cavity/chest via an opening in the diaphragm). H.pylori, a bacterium is also a known cause of acid reflux.

The main mechanism involved behind heartburn or the gastric acid reflux disease is a “transient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter,” which leads to reflux of the acidic stomach contents back into the food-pipe. Lower esophageal sphincter is a muscle at the lower end of the esophagus, where the food-pipe connects with the stomach. In order to prevent the stomach contents from getting back into the esophagus, it is necessary for this muscle to contract and close periodically.

These symptoms are controllable through a variety of home remedies, in fact, I should mention, it is typically home remedies, which will cure these complaints.

Here are the top 10 best home remedies for heartburn:

 

1. Several Small Meals

To eliminate the bane for your existence (i.e. heartburn), it is a decent idea to adopt certain precautionary dietary and non-dietary measures, rather than making yourself suffer from the irksome symptoms. Part your meals into several small meals (at least six) during the day, instead of consuming three large meals.

2. Watch Your Diet

“You are what you eat!” Avoid the intake of fried fatty foods, caffeinated and carbonated beverages, and chocolates, any processed foods, all of which predispose to heartburn-like symptoms. Instead, replace your diet with fresh fruits and veggies.

3.  Avoid Laying Down Soon After Meals

Keep a check on the clock and attempt to have your meal approx 2-3 hours before hitting the bed. This will allow an ample of time for food digestion and will prevent the heartburn/acid reflux while you are sleeping. It is noteworthy to know that when a person is lying down, the lower esophageal sphincter is more relaxed than when you are upright. Hence, it is better for the stomach not be loaded with food when you finally want to sleep.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda, due to its alkaline nature neutralizes the stomach acid. In a glass of warm water, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda and drink it.

5. Probiotics

Your gut flora changes every 20 minutes and contributes to a strong immune system and a healthy gut. Probiotics are predominant in yoghurt/curd. So, make low-fat yoghurt an essential diet in your regular schedule.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

ACV is beneficial for treating thousands of ailments. ACV provides is a natural source of HCl. The new research is acid reflux is not because of excessive acid; rather it is due to a low stomach acid (HCl), as stomach HCl is required to digest the food. Achlorhydria (no HCl in the stomach causes the stomach enzymes to become functionless, aggravating the reflux symptoms). To use ACV, add 1 teaspoon of ACV in a glass of water, stirring it well and drink it approx 10 minutes before meals.

7. Aloe Vera Juice

This herb has tremendously miraculous anti-inflammatory, astringent, and healing attributes. It comprises of polysaccharides that accentuate the digestive mechanism. Drink around two ounces of fresh Aloe Vera juice daily.

8. Coconut Water

Coconut water is an incredible relief for people experiencing heartburn. It aids digestion and enhances metabolism. It has a rich fiber content and natural gut soothing enzymes. Incorporate this drink in your day-to-day dietary regime and experience the astounding benefits.

9. Exercise and Look After Your Weight

Regular exercise helps to reduce weight (obesity, as aforementioned is one of the contributing factors to GERD), accelerates the intestinal motility and assists keeping your heartburn at bay.

10. Prop Up While in Bed

When you lie down, try to elevate the head end of the by placing at least 2-3 pillows. This hinders the food from refluxing back into the esophagus and causing heartburn.