Home remedies to cure your acidity and heartburn

Snehha Suresh | Apr 16, 2018, 12:05 IST
We all suffer from acidity sometimes due to our improper meal timings. Severe pain in the stomach, burning, bloating, hiccupping, flatulence and acid reflux is the common symptoms. While our immediate and natural response is to reach for that antacid when suffering from acidity, it will not give you long-term relief. Hence it is better to opt for home remedies to cure your pain. So these are things you should have while suffering from acidity.

Bananas are extremely beneficial for gut and stomach health because of their high fibre content which enhances the digestion process. They are rich in potassium and increase the production of mucus in the stomach which prevents excess acid formation and also fights the harmful effects of excessive acid production. A ripe banana is a perfect antidote to severe bouts of acidity.

Milk contains a high amount of calcium which makes it a superfood for bone health. Calcium helps to maintain the Ph balance and aids in proper digestion. This is the reason cold milk can provide you instant relief from the burning sensation one feels during acidity and acid reflux. The calcium in milk also curbs and prevents acid build up and also absorbs the excess acid produced.

This is why Indian meals are followed by buttermilk or chaas as it is known in Indian households. Cold buttermilk is another useful antidote to acidity. To get relief from heartburn, drink up a glass of cold buttermilk. Buttermilk contains lactic acid that neutralizes the acidity in the stomach. The lactic acid further soothes the stomach by coating the stomach lining and reducing the irritation and acid reflux symptoms. Besides, buttermilk is a naturally occurring probiotic. Probiotics are extremely important for good digestion process and that’s why many doctors recommend probiotic supplements on a daily basis. The good bacteria present in probiotics prevent the gas build-up and bloating that often causes acid reflux. It also allows the nutrients and foods to be digested and absorbed properly which ultimately eliminates and reduces the possibility of acidity occurrence and keeps your gastrointestinal health in good condition.

Fennel seeds contain a compound called Anethole which works as a soothing agent for the stomach and prevents spasm and flatulence. It is also loaded with vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre that aids the process of good digestion. As it also contains anti-ulcer properties it cools the lining of the stomach and helps in relieving constipation as well. Fennel seeds also come in very handy for tackling indigestion and acidity in pregnant women. A lot of pregnant women suffer from severe indigestion during pregnancy, but they are prohibited from taking a lot of food items and medicines. Fennel seeds function as an effective natural remedy to tackle indigestion, acidity and acid reflux. They are also beneficial for breastfeeding mothers as it is known to increase breast milk in nursing women. Chew a few fennel seeds to reduce the symptoms of acidity or soak a few fennel seeds in water and drink up the water and chew on the fennel seeds to get immediate relief.

Garlic is actually a powerhouse of antioxidants which obviously makes it a champion of heart health, but it is equally powerful as an antidote to acidity too. Raw garlic kills the pathogenic microorganism that is a major culprit in causing gastroenteritis. Including garlic in your everyday meals can actually stimulate your stomach health and prevent indigestion and consequently acidity. However, like most things, too much of garlic in rare cases can lead to minor heartburn. In that case, one or two cloves can reverse this kind of heartburn.

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