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Best foods and home remedies for heartburn

Best foods and home remedies for heartburn

GERD is a digestive disorder where stomach acids travel upwards into the food pipe. While this can lead to chest pain and difficulty swallowing, heartburn is the most common symptom. It is characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, which can also be felt in the neck and throat. Thankfully, patients can control heartburn to a large extent at home by eating certain foods and following particular home remedies listed below.

Chew gum
Although unusual, chewing gum 30 minutes after a meal reduces heartburn and other GERD symptoms. When a person chews gum, the production of saliva increases and the excess saliva passes down the esophagus to cancel out the effect of stomach acid, the main culprit for GERD. Reduced stomach acid, in turn, decreases heartburn and other associated problems.

Drink pineapple juice
Since GERD is caused by excess stomach acid production, controlling the amount of acid can manage the problem. Pineapple juice helps do that. It has a group of valuable enzymes called bromelain that reduces stomach acid, preventing heartburn and other symptoms. Hence, patients can drink small amounts of pineapple juice every day.

Eat peppermint
Peppermint is a flexible herb that can relieve digestive stress. It can also reduce the length, severity, and frequency of abdominal pain. While drinking peppermint tea is the simplest way to add peppermint to the anti-heartburn nutrition plan, the herb can also be found in mints and candies.

Wear comfortable clothes
Clothes play a vital role in making a fashion statement. However, they can also contribute to heartburn. Tight outfits put pressure on the stomach. This causes the stomach acids to move towards the esophagus, leading to heartburn. Therefore, it is best to wear loose-fitting clothes.

Maintain a proper posture
Maintaining a proper posture is essential for the spine. But many do not know that it can also help relieve heartburn. Sitting and standing in an upright posture can reduce the pressure on the stomach. It can also lower the strain on the esophageal sphincter responsible for stopping the stomach acid from reaching the esophagus.

Sleep with an elevated upper body
Lying down makes heartburn worse because the acids from the stomach can easily flow back into the esophagus, leading to inflammation of the esophageal tissue. Therefore, it is best to lie down with the upper body elevated. Patients can use a wedge pillow to elevate the body above the waist.

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