These days, it is common to see several people, both young and old, complain about acidity. While you may try everything from antacids to the ‘desi butter milk’ to placate the fire raging in your heart and tummy, sometimes, nothing helps.
The acid in the stomach is vital for the digestion of food. Overproduction of this acid can sometimes make you feel uncomfortable and cause acidity. Too much intake of heavy and oily food is a common cause of acidity. Formation of gas, burning sensation and chest congestion are just few of the many common symptoms. Many people also complain of respiratory problems, heartburn, vomiting and nausea. Excess of acid may also cause ulcers in the stomach and the upper part of the intestine.
Acidity is a universal problem and one of the most common ailments that people suffer from. However, it can be easily regulated and controlled by exercising a proper diet regimen.
Controlling your craving for oily food is a great way to overcome the extra acid. Give yourself a break from heavy, oil-rich food. Fried food not only elevates the acid secretion but can also be the reason for fat deposits in your body. Cutting down on oily food will help you lose weight and will also increase your metabolism which, in turn, will help control acidity.
The benefits associated with eating bananas are simply boundless. Banana is an antacid and cures heartburn. It also makes your bowel movements smooth and provides a great deal of relief from constipation. Banana helps in alleviating acid reflux, if you have one after each meal. It has potassium which prevents the formation of acid. Apart from relieving acidity, bananas also help in preventing the formation of ulcers.
It is said that milk helps in calming down the heat produced in the body due to medication. Similarly, drinking cold milk when you suffer from acidity provides instant relief to the agitated stomach. Milk contains calcium, which absorbs the excess acid produced in the stomach. Those who refrain from drinking white milk can opt for flavoured cold milk.
Baking soda is an acidic salt which, when dissolved in water and sipped, can provide instant, but temporary relief. Add a spoon of baking soda and allow it to fizz, this will expel carbon-di-oxide. Once the fizz ceases, drink up the concoction. You may have the urge to burp, this is natural.
Alcohol intake can aggravate the symptoms of acidity and heartburn. You will be surprised to know that red wine triggers a heartburn the most!
LES, a band of muscles around the esophagus, prevents the upward flow of acid and over-consumption of alcohol weakens the LES muscles. Besides this, alcohol utilizes all the water content of the body, makes you feel dehydrated and worsens acidity. Drinking even a limited amount of alcohol can throw your body off balance by the secretion of more acid! It also causes inflammation of the stomach wall and irritates your digestive system that can make you feel queasy and also nauseous.
Acidity is caused when the pH levels in your body fall. Almond is alkaline and helps in normalizing the pH value. Having 4-5 almonds after every meal is a safe and effective way to combat acidity. It provides a lasting effect and prevents the burning sensation and discomfort in your stomach and heart. Eating organic almonds work the best. Beware of overconsumption of almonds as it might cause a headache and other similar symptoms.
Ginger facilitates a mucous secretion which decreases the level of acid in the stomach and hence, prevents acidity and heartburn. To cure acidity, ginger can be used in many ways.
Chew a piece of ginger to allay the intensity of burning. If you find it tastes too pungent, keep some water handy. Alternatively, extract the juice of a ginger and add a teaspoon of honey to it to improve the taste of the concoction.
The production of hydrochloric acid can be inhibited by the consumption of aloe vera. Aloe vera has healing properties and acts as a soothing home remedy for acidity. Make sure you consume only unprocessed aloe vera juice which doesn’t contain any latex in it. Aloe vera forms a coat in the stomach and prevents the acid from causing heartburn. Drinking 2 ounces of aloe vera juice daily assuages acidity and lessens the burning sensation. It works on the LES and prevents the backward flow of the acid in the stomach.
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