Today I’m sharing nine natural remedies for heartburn, a condition that many people are familiar with and has experienced at some point. Even though the word “heart” features in the name, the condition has nothing to do with the heart. Heartburn can be highly unpleasant and is a burning sensation felt in the chest that happens due to stomach acid that backs up in the esophagus. It can last for a few minutes or in some cases several hours. If you are looking for natural ways to find relief, keep reading.
Common Symptoms of Heartburn
- Burning sensation behind the breastbone in the chest
- A sour or bitter taste in the mouth
- Burning pain running up towards the throat
9 Natural Remedies For Heartburn Relief
Banana
The high potassium content in a ripe banana makes it a relatively alkaline food which means it can help to counteract the unpleasant effects of stomach acid in the esophagus. Be sure to eat a ripe banana because an unripe one can have the opposite effect, triggering reflux or heartburn. Other foods that can help for heartburn relief includes cauliflower, nuts, melons, and fennel.
Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing gum promotes saliva production which means it could help combat heartburn because saliva encourage swallowing which in turn assists with keeping acid down and neutralising reflux and stomach acid that pushes up into the esophagus.
Avoid Wearing Tight-Fitting Clothes
If you are prone to getting heartburn, wearing tight-fitting clothes or belts might exacerbate your symptoms when it squeezes on your belly.
Eat Slower and Try Not To Overeat
A great way to avoid heartburn is by keeping tabs on portion sizes. Large amounts of food in the belly places added pressure on the valve that prevents stomach acid from entering the esophagus. If you get heartburn regularly, stick to regular smaller meals. Also eat slowly and chew food properly before swallowing.
Losing Weight
Being overweight places added pressure on your stomach, boosting the risk of heartburn or acid reflux. Try to include at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week and eat a well-balanced, healthy diet.
Avoid Eating Before Bedtime or Exercising
Trying to lie down with a belly stuffed with food can trigger heartburn or acid reflux, making it hard to fall asleep. Try not to eat meals within three hours before bedtime to give your belly a chance to empty. Wait at least two hours before doing a workout after a meal.
Change Your Sleep Position
To prevent the discomfort of heartburn or acid reflux, elevate your head and chest so that it’s higher than your feet when you sleep. Sleeping on your side can also help digestion and lessen stomach acid reflux.
Stop Smoking
If you are a smoker it can make you more prone to heartburn since it lessens the amount of saliva generated which influences the effectiveness of the valve that prevents acid from going into the esophagus. When you quit smoking, you can lower the regularity and severity of acid reflux, and, in some instances, eliminate it all together.
Lower Your Stress Levels
Chronic stress has a negative impact on your body which slows digestion and make you more sensitive to pain. The longer food remains in your stomach, the more like stomach acid will reflux. In addition, having a higher sensitivity to pain can make you experience the discomfort of heartburn more severely.
Commonplace Triggers of Heartburn
- Eating too quickly or overindulging
- Lying down soon after a meal
- Smoking
- Drinking or eating certain foods and drinks, including chocolate, carbonated drinks, caffeine, citrus, alcohol, fatty foods, tomato-based dishes, peppermint, and spicy foods.
- Being obese or overweight
- Anxiety and high stress levels
When To See a Doctor?
For occasional, mild heartburn, over the counter histamines and antacids and the tips mentioned here should do the trick. Always read the medicine labels and never exceed the recommended doses. However, if you suffer from constant and frequent heartburn, it’s best to see your doctor to determine if it is caused by an underlying medical issue or is maybe a side effect of certain medications that you’re taking.
I hope you have enjoyed this post about 9 natural remedies for heartburn relief.
Sending you much love, light, and reflux-free vibes!
Anthea