Are you looking for natural home remedies for heartburn?
At iwi life, we are here to keep you informed on how to achieve your wellness goals – in whatever form that may be.
If you’ve been experiencing heartburn, keep reading to learn more about home remedies that may bring you the relief you need.
What Is Heartburn?
Although ‘heart’ is in the name, the problem has nothing to do with your heart. Heartburn is an uncomfortable burning sensation in your upper chest that can worsen when you lay down.
This is typically caused by your acidic stomach content moving back up into your esophagus toward your mouth. This can result in acid reflux, which irritates your esophagus, causing that uncomfortable burning sensation.
What Causes Heartburn?
Heartburn is caused by acidic or high-fat foods that can lead to discomfort shortly after eating. If you feel a burning sensation in your chest, have a sour taste in your mouth, are coughing, have hoarseness, or feel like something is “stuck” in your throat, you may be experiencing heartburn.
Many common factors can cause heartburn, and knowing what to watch out for can help you prevent future flare-ups. Causes can include:
- Overeating or eating too quickly
- Lying down too soon after eating
- Smoking
- Stress or anxiety
Do Home Remedies Reduce Heartburn?
Natural remedies for acid reflux may bring you effective heartburn relief. However, if you frequently experience heartburn, it may be time to consider home remedies alongside meaningful lifestyle changes like weight loss.
What works best for you may differ from what works best for others, and it may take trial and error to find the relief you need.
Below are safe home remedies to try that might help alleviate discomfort.
10 Home Remedies for Heartburn
If you’re looking for some natural remedies to help alleviate – or even prevent heartburn – we are here to help.
These natural remedies for your heartburn are largely safe and simple, and they just might help you get rid of heartburn.
Always consult with your doctor about your heartburn symptoms and with any questions or concerns you may have.
Chew Gum
Although it may sound strange, chewing sugar-free gum for thirty minutes after a meal can reduce acid reflux. Research shows that chewing gum can help increase your swallowing frequency, which can help improve your acid reflux.
Wear Loose Clothing
Sometimes, tight clothing can squeeze your belly and thus may contribute to heartburn symptoms. Finding some comfy, loose-fitting clothing around your mid-section is a quick and easy way to help lessen the discomfort.
Mix Baking Soda With Water
Looking for something inexpensive and natural? Another way to help alleviate heartburn symptoms is to dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it slowly. This can be a quick way to provide relief since baking soda helps neutralize your stomach acid.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Research suggests that drinking diluted apple cider vinegar may be another safe home remedy that can possibly alleviate heartburn symptoms since it’s believed that it can also neutralize stomach acid. However, the effects in the study did not reach a level of statistical significance, so more research is needed.
Keep Your Upper Body Elevated
Another natural way to help alleviate heartburn discomfort or acid reflux symptoms is to elevate your body from the waist up. This can be particularly helpful when you are sleeping, since lying down can exacerbate discomfort or pain from heartburn. You can add an extra pillow at the head of your bed to keep your upper body elevated while you sleep.
Eat a Ripe Banana
Bananas contain a rich source of potassium which makes them a fairly alkaline food. This means that it may also neutralize the stomach acid irritating your esophagus. Choose a ripe one since unripe bananas are more starch-heavy and may actually trigger acid reflux.
Try melons, cauliflower, fennel, and nuts if you’re interested in trying more alkaline foods that can offset heartburn discomfort.
Switch Your Sleep Position
It’s common to experience heartburn when you are asleep since laying on your back can trigger acid reflux. Having your head and chest higher than your feet can prevent and ease acid reflux.
One way to do this comfortably would be to use a foam wedge that is placed under your mattress or raise bedposts using wooden blocks. Sleeping on your left side is also thought to aid digestion and limit acid reflux.
Reduce Stress
A common heartburn trigger is stress or anxiety.
Chronic anxiety can have physical effects on your body, such as contributing to indigestion or making you more sensitive to pain. Finding ways to reduce stress in your life can help you mentally and physically and may prevent or ease the effects of acid reflux and heartburn.
Pineapple Juice
Pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain. This helps to control the levels of hydrochloric acid in your stomach. If you’re experiencing a bout of heartburn, having a small glass of pineapple juice to sip on can help to relieve symptoms.
Aloe Juice
Aloe juice is sold at most grocery stores and may be a quick and efficient way to alleviate some of your discomfort. Aloe juice is thought to help soothe the irritation in your esophagus.
Consider having half of a cup of aloe juice before meals in order to help keep your stomach and esophagus soothed.
What Are Other Natural Home Remedies For Heartburn?
Creating new daily habits is one of the best ways to prevent future heartburn.
Here are some examples of new lifestyle habits you can incorporate into your daily routine:
- Waiting a couple of hours after eating before laying down
- Standing or sitting up straight after meals, since your posture can contribute to your heartburn
- Watching what you eat to avoid foods that trigger heartburn. One way to find out which foods trigger your heartburn is to keep a food diary and take note of when you experience symptoms.
- Making adjustments to maintain or achieve a healthy weight
What Should You Watch Out For?
For many people, the common denominator is the food that you eat. Being aware of the food you eat can make a great difference in preventing future heartburn. Here are some ideas on foods that can induce acid reflux:
- Carbonated or fizzy drinks. If you’re thinking of trying ginger as a home remedy, it’s best to avoid ginger ale.
- Beware of peppermint. Although it can have a soothing effect on your gut, it can actually make acid reflux worse. However, it differs person-to-person on whether it alleviates or exacerbates acid reflux.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you’re experiencing heartburn three or more times a week, it may be time to see your doctor. Check with your doctor if over-the-counter medications are a good option for you, or to confirm whether certain home remedies are recommended.
If your heartburn is severe, it may be caused by an underlying condition called gastroesophageal reflux heart disease (GERD) or may be related to any medication you are taking.
iwi life Takeaway
Adjusting your daily habits, trying home remedies, or using over-the-counter treatments can provide relief when heartburn hits. Finding the one that works best for you may take some time, especially if you want a natural at-home remedy.
Although natural home remedies can help alleviate symptoms, consider talking to your healthcare provider or doctor if symptoms worsen or you’re experiencing heartburn more frequently.
At iwi life, we want to help you better your health while also caring for the health of our planet. If you’re looking to take steps to meet your wellness goals, we are here to help.
Not only do we have plant-based products with you in mind that support your overall wellness, but we also want to keep you informed so that you can stay up-to-date on living your best healthy lifestyle.
Choosing iwi life means choosing a happier, healthier future.
Sources:
Heartburn - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic
The effect of chewing sugar-free gum on gastro-esophageal reflux | NCBI
Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good for Acid Reflux? | Cleveland Clinic
