While everyone enjoys eating a delicious meal, no one enjoys the heartburn or acid reflux that can sometimes accompany it.
Heartburn can be extremely uncomfortable, but is actually very common nowadays. WebMD writes, "The prevalence of weekly heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux rose nearly 50 percent over the last decade."
For those of us who regularly deal with heartburn, we may be used to a burning sensation in the chest and throat. But severe and prolonged cases can actually have longterm negative effects such as esophageal cancer.
Fortunately, just as there are easy ways to battle kidney stones, there are quite a few simple at-home methods for getting rid of uncomfortable and painful heartburn.
Scroll through the exclusive list below to see how easy it is to stop heartburn in its tracks. I found most of these quite surprising, but I will definitely be giving them a try — anything to eliminate the heartburn!
Which of these simple heartburn-fighting methods will you be trying? Let us know in the comments!
1. Eat Black Licorice
It might sound bizarre, but you can easily combat terrible heartburn by munching on a little bit of black licorice.
According to WebMD, "Licorice is used for various digestive system complaints including stomach ulcers, heartburn, colic, and ongoing inflammation of the lining of the stomach."
2. Drink Aloe Vera Juice
While you can purchase aloe vera juice at a health food store, you can also drink the gel from an aloe plant mixed with water or a fruit juice. This can go a long way to help soothe those heartburn pains.
According to Home Remedies for Life, "The natural healing property of aloe vera soothes the entire esophagus track and provides relief from irritation."
3. Don't Lay Down After Eating
Many people have the urge to lay down after a large meal. However, laying down too soon can actually make your heartburn worse.
WebMD writes, "Eat meals at least 2 hours to 3 hours before lying down. This will give food time to digest and empty from your stomach, and acid levels a chance to decrease."
4. Add Baking Soda To Water
This baking soda method is great for helping with heartburn, but it should only be used in moderation, as baking soda can lead to nausea if taken too often.
Simply mix a little bit of baking soda in a full glass of water, and drink up. This will help battle acid in the stomach and esophagus.
5. Pop A Stick Of Gum
Most people love gum already, but did you know that a piece of sugarless gum can actually cut down on your heartburn levels?
According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, "Chewing gum could induce increased swallowing frequency, thus improving the clearance rate of reflex within the esophagus."
They continue, "Chewing sugar-free gum for half an hour after a meal can reduce acidic postprandial esophageal reflux."
6. Wait On The Workout
While a big meal might inspire you to work out, you shouldn't work out too soon after a meal, as it can lead to heartburn.
WebMD writes, "Don't exercise within two hours of eating. If you have a full stomach, the pressure on the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach can lead to acid reflux."
7. Raise The Head Of Your Bed
Strange as it may sound, sleeping at a more elevated angle can be helpful for your heartburn. However, WebMD recommends raising the head of your bed and not simply adding more pillows.
They write, "Raise the head of your bed so that your head and chest are higher than your feet. Don't use piles of pillows… You will put your body at an angle that can add pressure on your stomach and make your heartburn worse."
8. Add A Little Ginger
There are so many ways to enjoy fresh ginger, either in tea or added to food. And, it turns out, ginger is great for battling heartburn.
Health.com writes, "In moderation, ginger is one of the best foods for acid reflux. It has been used throughout history as an anti-inflammatory and as a treatment for gastrointestinal conditions."
9. Avoid Trigger Foods
One of the best ways to ease heartburn is by eliminating or cutting back on trigger foods.
Foods that cause heartburn include:
- Citrus fruits
- Cola, coffee, and other caffeinated beverages
- Wine, beer, and liquor
- Carbonated beverages
- Fatty foods
- Spicy foods
- Tomatoes, garlic, and onions
- Peppermint
- Chocolate
Not every food will cause a problem for everyone. It is best to pay attention to which of these foods are triggers for you specifically before adjusting your diet.
10. Wear Loose Clothes
Strangely, what you wear can actually have an effect on your heartburn. Clothes that are extremely tight on the body are not recommended.
WebMD writes, "You'll be less likely to get heartburn if you wear comfier clothes… Give yourself plenty of breathing room."
11. Slow Down Your Eating
One brilliant tip for lowering acid levels is to avoid eating too much food too quickly.
JoyBauer.com writes, "Instead of eating a lot at one sitting, which can make acid reflux symptoms worse, eat only until you're comfortably full. Be sure to sit down and take your time during a meal."
These easy at-home methods can finally help to get rid of heartburn for good!
Which of these simple techniques will you be trying? Do you have any other heartburn-fighting tips? Let us know in the comments.
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