Many of us have been there and know the feeling all too well. It’s the burning in your esophagus after a spicy meal. It’s the burping after you’ve gone to bed right after dinner. It’s the nausea and bloating after overeating. Acid reflux is a condition that affects even the best of us, but thankfully, there are natural alternatives to antacids that work just as good, if not better, than conventional pills like Tums.
Instead of popping yet another antacid that could potentially do more damage than good, try these simple prevention tips.
7 Natural Alternatives To Antacids
1. Eat Food That Balances Acidity
Try fruit like apples, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon. Incorporate vegetables like potatoes, cabbage, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, celery and parsley in your meals. Cook with spices like cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and sage. These foods all contain low acidic levels to keep your digestive tract balanced.
2. Eat Small Meals
Stick to small meals throughout the day to avoid eating large meals that will overstuff you. Slowly adding food into your digestive system will ease digestion and save you a lot of discomfort.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Those who are overweight are twice as likely to suffer from acid reflux. Extra weight can put more pressure on the stomach causing backflow into the esophagus.
4. Avoid High Fat and Spicy Foods
Cutting out these types of food from your diet could dramatically help your acid reflux. High fat foods slow down the emptying of the stomach which can put more pressure on the esophageal sphincter. Spicy foods can irritate the stomach and produce an acidic environment. In addition, try cutting out all animal products entirely.
5. Watch the Caffeine and Alcohol
Overloading on caffeine can irritate the stomach causing a major trigger for acid reflux. Alcohol relaxes the esophageal sphincter which opens it up to allow more acid flow.
6. Wear Loose Clothing Around the Waist
Wearing tight clothing around your middle could put a significant amount of pressure on your stomach and create an environment that will push acid back up into your esophagus.
7. Relax
Stress can have a huge influence on acid reflux and is actually the cause in many cases. Try taking a couple 10 minute walks or meditation breaks during a stressful workday.
In addition to these tips, keep an acid reflux journal. Track the episodes, severity, occurrence, how your body reacts, what gives you relief and any contributing environmental influences you notice. This could help you identify patterns and find ways to stop them.
Acid reflux can ruin your day, if you let it. By utilizing these easy tips, you could be living life acid reflux free!
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