How to Cure Acidity Permanently?
Acidity is a common problem faced by almost 20% or more adults. The term ‘acidity’ refers to a certain set of symptoms that are caused by inequity. Acidity or acid reflux is one of the most common health issues that cause heartburn in the upper part of our body. It is that uncomfortable and burning feeling that we experience in the center of our chest, especially after we have eaten a heavy meal. The symptoms of acidity could be very uncomfortable and unpleasant and could occur at the most unexpected of moments, and we keep tying to know, how to cure acidity permanently?
Acidity represents a set of symptoms that happens by the excessive production of acid in our gastric glands in the stomach. Under normal functionality, our stomach secretes an acid, called hydrochloric acid, that breaks down the foods we eat and helps in their digestion. When too much of this acid is secreted by the gastric glands, it causes acidity.
There could be several reasons for acidity, like consumption of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, citrus or acidic foods, over-eating, eating fatty and fried foods, medication, lack of physical activity, and also being overweight, but above all, and in the quest to find the solution of- how to cure acidity permanently, you must know that inappropriate dietary regime and stress are the two major factors that can be attributed to the cause of acidity.
None of us are born with acidity. There could be varying reasons why some of us get heartburn and some don’t. There are also some, for whom the problem could be severe, and becomes a persistent problem leading to some chronic conditions. But, one thing is clear of what happens when acid reflux occurs, and for which we need an acid reflux diet, to firstly avoid and then eliminate it.
What is an acid reflux diet ?
Acid reflux is the term used to describe the condition when the acid from our stomach flows back into the esophagus., which results in an uncomfortable and troublesome symptom known as heartburn. The foods that we eat impact the amount of acid the stomach produces. A diet with the right kind of foods is the key to an acid reflux diet.
Four majors Causes of acidity
Some of the reasons that are responsible for causing acidity are given below:
1. Diet:
Consuming foods that are high in fat, spice, or acid. They can irritate the stomach and trigger acidity. Some common trigger foods include spicy foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, and caffeine.
2. Lifestyle:
Certain lifestyle factors can cause acidity. These are smoking, drinking alcohol, and being overweight.
3. Medical conditions:
Many medical conditions can cause acidity in the body. They are hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and pregnancy.
4. Medications:
Various medicines can cause acidity in the stomach. Medicines like aspirin and other Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are responsible for this.
Foods that help reduce acidity
If your stomach is producing too many acids, some foods can cure such conditions and soothe the symptoms. These foods are:
1. Vegetables
Naturally low in sugar and fat, are a must in an acidity diet. The best of all are the green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, leafy greens, asparagus, potatoes, and cucumber.
2. Non-citrus fruits
These are fruits that are less likely to trigger acid reflux than all other fruits. They are apples, pears, melons, and bananas.
3. Oatmeal
Being a whole grain, oatmeal has lots of fibers, and fibers are considered the best for lowering the chances of acid reflux.
4. Ginger
Ginger is one of the first food that is considered as a topline home remedy for gas. It is naturally anti-inflammatory and acts as a natural treatment for acid reflux, heartburn, and other gastrointestinal issues.
5. Healthy fats
Avocados, walnuts, flaxseeds, olive oil, and sunflower oil are some of the examples of healthy fats that help in controlling acidity problems, and replace the bad saturated and trans fats with good unsaturated fats.
6. Egg Whites
Limit the consumption of eggs with their yolk, and opt for egg whites instead. You will find a reduction in episodes of acidity for sure.
7. Seafood and Lean meats
Both seafood and lean meats like fish, chicken, and turkey are low in fat and can help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.
8. Acid reflux foods to avoid
However, it might be debatable on which foods to avoid that causes acid reflux, and how to cure acidity permanently, there are certain foods that for sure have shown to prove problematic for people with consistent problems of acid reflux. The best is to start with avoiding these foods by eliminating them from your regular diet and as a cure for acidity.
Foods to Avoid in Acidity :
Food high in fat:
Eating more of high-fat foods like French fries, full-fat dairy products, butter, whole milk, sour cream, cheeses, fried meats, desserts like ice creams, chips, creamy sauces, gravies, and salad dressings, and other oily and greasy foods put us at a greater risk of acid reflux and hyperacidity.
Citrus fruits and tomatoes:
Oranges, lime, lemons, grapefruits, pineapple, and tomatoes are fruits and vegetables that are otherwise important for our health, but these foods can worsen our acidity problems and develop GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).
Onions, garlic, and spicy foods:
Tangy and spicy foods like garlic and onions can trigger heartburn in many. Though these foods may not be as troublesome for others, eating a lot of them can certainly cause acid reflux.
Chocolate & mint:
Chocolates contain an element called methylxanthine, which is considered to trigger acid reflux.
Mint and mint-flavored foods and drinks can also trigger acidity.
Some quick & effective home remedies for gas in the stomach
Acidity and other gastric problems like having a bloated stomach can happen to anyone and anytime. In a desperate effort to know how to cure acidity permanently, skipping meals, not eating on time, eating fried and spicy foods, obesity, anxiety, stress, smoking, drinking alcohol, and even wearing tight clothes could lead to heartburns and hyperacidity.
Here is a list of some best home remedies for gas in the stomach, that you can try anytime you feel uncomfortable because of acidity:
- One of the easiest and convenient home remedies for stomach acidity relief is dinking a glass of cold milk or eating a cup of vanilla ice cream.
- Homemade raita prepared with fresh curd, fresh coriander, grated cucumber, and chopped tomatoes is a sure-shot home remedy for acidity.
- Chewing a few fresh basil leaves can relieve acidity and flatulence.
- Drinking half a glass of freshly squeezed pineapple juice after meals can prevent and treat acidity.
- Eating some ‘gur’ of jaggery after meals can help prevent acidity.
- Another very simple home remedy against acidity and bloating is drinking thin buttermilk with some added crushed black pepper powder.
- Onion juice is considered one of the best home remedies for acidity and acid reflux.
- Lemon rinds are good to eat to prevent heartburn.
- Eating almonds are good to get relief from acidity.
- Watermelon, bananas, and cucumber provide protective action against acidity and heartburns.
- Drink plenty of water and other fluids to prevent acidity to occur.
- If you are regularly suffering from acidity, drinking five to six glasses of coconut water every day can help a lot.
How to cure acidity & heartburn permanently ?
Heartburns can be very unpleasant. You can feel a small furnace burning in your chest and burning way up to your neck. Medications can help, but here are some home remedies for heartburn that can be a very effective way to get relief.
1. Drink a glass of cold milk
Cold milk can temporarily give you relief from heartburn as it buffers stomach acid, and the nutrients in milk, mainly the fat, stimulate the stomach to produce more acid.
2. Chewing gum
Chewing gum stimulates the production of more saliva, which works as an acid buffer. Moreover, the more you chew, the more you swallow, pushing the nasty acids back into the esophagus.
3. Apple cider vinegar
A small amount of apple cider vinegar diluted in water can help in heartburn treatment.
4. Probiotics
Probiotics are great for all types of gastrointestinal issues, including providing relief from heartburn.
5. Baking soda
Some baking soda mixed in water can reduce the stomach’s acidity levels and provide relief from heartburns. A good cure for acidity.
6. Eating bananas
Bananas are low acid fruits that are very gentle and soothing to our digestive system. The vitamins and other nutrients help stop gastrointestinal spasms.
How to cure Gerd permanently
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is acid reflux that can be caused by a weaker LES (Lower Esophagus Sphincter). The LES works as a trapdoor – opens to let food in when our stomach is empty. Our stomach is full, it is closed to stop bile and the acid from leaving the stomach.
When you have GERD, your LES is weak. This means that either it does not open or closes properly or opens or closes at the appropriate time. This may cause acids and bile to flow out back into the esophagus, especially while you are lying.
Indigestion and heartburn are the most common symptoms of GERD. But, if the symptoms are occurring to happen, it may be so, that you have a more serious degree of the problem. GERD causes high degrees of discomfort for the sufferer, allowing with having difficulties in swallowing food, chest pains, and wheezing. In the long run, GERD can cause serious health hazards.
How to cure acidity permanently – The Gerd Diet
GERD treatment is best done with diet. Diet has a major role to play in controlling the symptoms of GERD like acid reflux and also serves as the first line of treatment. The GERD Diet is more of a lifestyle modification than merely a diet. You may immediately start having a burning sensation in your chest and stomach after having food or certain foods, and may experience vomiting if you are suffering from GERD. Some other symptoms might include stomach bloating, sore throat, bumps and cramps in the stomach, dry cough, and a lump in the throat.
Gerd treatment includes tracking of:
- Foods that you eat
- When you eat, and
- The symptoms you experience
As you keep following the GERD diet, you maintain a dairy to see how each food affects you. Keep following the foods that you should eat (as mentioned above) and the foods that you avoid (as mentioned above). Follow the same GERD home remedies, as you have for getting relief from heartburn and acid reflux. The Ph for stomach is maintained and you get back to normal eating and living.
In addition to following the diet, manage the symptoms with certain lifestyle changes, as mentioned and know how to cure acidity permanently:
- Continue taking medications and antacids as prescribed by your doctor.
- Lose and maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol.
- Quit smoking.
- Eat slowly, and do not overeat.
- Stay upright for at least two hours after you have eaten.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes.
- Don’t go to bed immediately after eating. Wait for at least 3 to 4 hours.
- While lying, keep your head raised 4 to 6 inches to reduce acid reflux while you are sleeping.
At Diet2Nourish, under the mentorship of award-winning nutritionist and dietician, Priyanka Jaiswal. We have been helping patients with gastric and GERD issues with individualized nutritional plans for their complex dietary needs. We understand that the right foods and nutrition are of paramount importance in providing you with strength and promoting your overall wellness and for you to know how to cure acidity permanently? Priyanka advocates that adopting particular eating habits and patterns can also go a long way in achieving the best results with your health and let you live a life free of acidity.
Diet chart for acidity
The diet chart for acidity is as follows-
| TIME | SUNDAY |
| Breakfast 8:00 AM | 2 Ragi or nachni bhakris + Hummus |
| Mid meal 11:00 AM | 1 fruit preferably apple |
| Lunch 2PM | Rice + rotis +sabzi + salad + fresh curd |
| Evening Meal 4PM | Poha + Green tea |
| Dinner 8 PM | Green veggie and rice |
| TIME | MONDAY |
| Breakfast 8:00 AM | 1 cup oatmeal + dry fruits |
| Mid meal 11:00 AM | 1 fruit preferably banana |
| Lunch 2PM | Rice + bhakri +sabzi + salad + fresh curd |
| Evening Meal 4PM | Idli + Green tea |
| Dinner 8 PM | Green veggie and ragi or nachni bhakri |
| TIME | TUESDAY |
| Breakfast 8:00 AM | 1 cup Poha + 7- 8 Almonds |
| Mid meal 11:00 AM | Fruit salad |
| Lunch 2PM | Rice + bhakri +sabzi + salad + fresh curd |
| Evening Meal 4PM | Roasted flakes + Green tea |
| Dinner 8 PM | Green veggie + lentils + ragi or nachni bhakri |
| TIME | THURSDAY |
| Breakfast 8:00 AM | 2 freshly prepared dosas with green chutney |
| Mid meal 11:00 AM | Dry fruits and grapes |
| Lunch 2PM | Dal Khichadi |
| Evening Meal 4PM | Poha + Green tea |
| Dinner 8 PM | Green veggie and ragi or nachni bhakri |
| TIME | FRIDAY |
| Breakfast 8:00 AM | Vegetable oats upma |
| Mid meal 11:00 AM | Dry fruits + blueberries +cranberries |
| Lunch 2PM | Ragi or nachni bhakri +sabzi |
| Evening Meal 4PM | Boiled chana + Green tea |
| Dinner 8 PM | Green veggie and ragi or nachni bhakri |
| TIME | SATURDAY |
| Breakfast 8:00 AM | 2 slices brown bread + cheese |
| Mid meal 11:00 AM | Dry fruits + Vegetable juice |
| Lunch 2PM | Ragi or nachni bhakri +sabzi +Rice & dal |
| Evening Meal 4PM | Sprout salad + Green tea |
| Dinner 8 PM | Green veggie and ragi or nachni bhakri |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the symptoms of acidity?
Answer:
The symptoms of acidity can vary from person to person. Some common cases include a burning sensation in the chest and throat. People can also feel the regurgitation of food or sour liquid in their mouth. Moreover, there is difficulty swallowing food. Sometimes, you may feel a persistent cough in case of acidity.
What are some of the natural remedies for acidity?
Answer:
Some people find relief from acidity by using natural remedies. The most common one is drinking ginger tea. In some cases taking apple cider vinegar also helps. Moreover, eating bananas is also known to help with acidity and its symptoms.
Can acidity lead to complications?
Answer:
In some cases, untreated acidity can lead to complications. It can be in the form of esophagitis, and ulcers. This can also lead to esophageal cancer. Therefore, it is important to manage acidity in the beginning. It can lead to such problems too.
What happens if acidity is untreated?
Answer :
Neglected cases of acidity may cause the formation of unwanted stomach acid which may result in discomfort, heartburn, and acid reflux. This may lead to many complications causing GERD, peptic ulcers, oesophagitis, and indigestion. Minor acidity cases should also be addressed with healthy lifestyle changes to prevent further complications.
Is acidity curable?
Answer :
Yes, early detection helps in curing acidity. However, it is important that acidity concern should be addressed at an early stage to prevent any further complications. Using antacids for a long time can cause more drug dependency damaging the stomach and gut lining.
Can stress cause acidity?
Answer:
Yes, excessive and chronic stress can cause severe acidity with burning and indigestion problems. Hence, it is recommended to reduce stress levels. Some amount of stress is considered normal. It is important to deal with stress in the right manner to take it positively without harming any system of your body.
Is it safe to drink milk in case of acidity?
Answer:
It is advisable to avoid milk and milk products in any form during acidity. It has been considered that cold milk relieves acidity which is not true. It is recommended to eat healthy meals and drink water to avoid any acidity episodes.
