Tips for Tackling Heartburn Naturally

That feeling that creeps up after a meal – it burns, sizzles, with a sour taste.

Heartburn is a digestive issue that occurs when stomach acid comes into contact with the lining of the esophagus, causing irritation. About 20% of the population, perhaps more, suffers from heartburn.

The treatment involves consuming simple, easy-to-digest foods. It’s crucial to eat small meals and avoid overwhelming the stomach. This way, the acids won’t rise.

It’s recommended not to drink during meals. Liquids increase stomach volume and can cause the acids to rise, resulting in a burning sensation.

Chewing food well aids digestion and strengthens the stomach.

Coffee, caffeine, chocolate, fried or spicy foods, carbonated drinks, and solid fats – all of these can weaken the stomach and promote heartburn.

Conversely, it’s recommended to consume home-cooked, unprocessed foods, including grains and legumes, with a moderate amount of animal protein.

Adding alkaline foods that are easy to digest and high in dietary fiber to your diet is advisable, such as leafy vegetables like lettuce and cilantro. It’s also recommended to include apples, pears, melons, orange vegetables, cucumbers, and almonds in your diet.

During acute heartburn, it’s advisable to drink cool water to reduce the burning sensation and decrease the acidity in the stomach.

Drinking milk may alleviate heartburn symptoms short-term since milk is alkaline. The calcium in milk neutralizes the stomach acids that rise up the esophagus. However, after a short time, the stomach responds by increasing acid secretion, which will rise again. Eventually, milk creates acidity, exacerbating heartburn.

Almonds that haven’t been roasted, soaked in room temperature water for at least half an hour and peeled, reduce heartburn. You can make almond milk in a blender: half a cup of soaked almonds with one-and-a-half cups of water, and drink in small sips.

Baking soda – a readily available solution, not for long-term use, can assist in acute situations. It’s an antacid – mix half a teaspoon in a quarter cup of water and drink. It’s not recommended to do this frequently.

Cucumber is a cooling vegetable, hence it helps with heartburn. You can also prepare cucumber juice or blend cucumber with a bit of water to drink.

Eating an apple or natural applesauce can also help and ease heartburn situations.

On the other hand, chewing gum may exacerbate heartburn (and not only that). While chewing gum, air is swallowed. When released, the air rises to the esophagus with stomach acid.

Zohara Sharvit is a naturopath (N.D) and iris diagnostician with many years of experience in treatment, counseling, and workshop facilitation. To book a free workshop, call 073-2221290