Nausea, heartburn, stomach pain: too much stomach acid can make life difficult for those affected. Countless symptoms and digestive problems are associated with it. The cause is sometimes not that easy to unmask – the suffering is great for those affected. The main question that concerns them is: How can I reduce my stomach acid?
Rethink your diet
In some people, too much stomach acid is the result of a poor diet. Hardly anyone worries about the effects of food on the stomach without complaints – foods rich in acid and fat often end up on the plate. A large amount of foods popular nowadays puts a massive strain on the stomach—white bread, citrus fruits, carbonated beverages, and the like increase the production of stomach acid.
If you are interested in reducing stomach acid, you should start with your diet first. Food that has made a reputation for itself as an “acid loosener” should be avoided from now on. Instead, alkaline foods such as bananas, lean meat, and whole-grain products should find their way onto the menu.
1. Drink plenty of water
2. Brown rice, crackers, oat flakes, and white bread
3. Neutralize stomach acid with milk
If you have heartburn and increased stomach acid production, it is still a good idea to drink milk. Heartburn milk is a very controversial issue. Some believe that the slightly acidic pH value means that it cannot eliminate the burning sensation caused by the acid, but promote it. However, one thing is sure: milk calms the throat when it stings. In the past, many groups have already been tested with this home remedy, with some receiving water and others receiving milk for the symptoms.
When the fat content in the milk was lower, the heartburn was also less. The subjects with water had less to contend with heartburn. It is not easy to answer whether this is related to the milk itself. What is certain is that the fat content of milk affects acid production in the stomach.
So it turned out to be a disadvantage that milk stimulates gastric acid production a little. It helps some but not others.
4. Potatoes
Potatoes contain large amounts of starch. This binds the excess stomach acid and relieves heartburn. Potato juice is one of the particularly effective remedies for the burning pain behind the breastbone. The juice has an alkaline, soothing, and deacidified effect:
- Buy raw potatoes and squeeze them, ideally in a juicer. For the potato juice, you can also chop the raw potatoes with a fine grater and dilute them with water. However, please do not drink too large quantities of it, as the pressed juice of raw potatoes contains poisonous solanine. Before pressing, remove the peel and especially the green and germinating parts of the potatoes. There is a particularly large amount of solanine here. As a rule of thumb, drink half a red wine glass of potato juice twice a day before meals for three weeks.
- Raw potato juice (not-from-concentrate) is also available ready-made in pharmacies, drug stores, health food stores, or online mail-order stores. Drink about half a glass of potato juice in small sips before meals.
Alternatively, eat a piece of freshly cooked potato or sweet potato. Potatoes can also neutralize stomach acid. Some recommend drinking the water from boiled potatoes to fight reflux.
5. Carrots
Carrots are good for stomach problems. Carrots are easy to digest and contain many vitamins. They are also rich in fiber and thus protect the gastrointestinal tract since carbon dioxide can also irritate the stomach.
6. Bananas
Bananas are considered stomach-friendly, as their ingredients protect the stomach lining, and they also contain a lot of magnesium, which supports the nerves in stressful situations.
7. Cucumber with peel
The vegetables have an alkaline effect and neutralize the pH value in the stomach. Just eat some slices of cucumber.
8. Apple
Some swear by eating a small piece of apple with the skin on every hour . Apple neutralizes stomach acid.
9. Juniper berries
Juniper berries are said to be an adequate remedy in the fight against annoying heartburn. You can enjoy juniper berries either as a tea. To do this, mash a teaspoon of the berries in a cup and pour hot water over it. Let the tea steep for about ten minutes. Alternatively, slowly chew some juniper berries in your mouth. But be careful: do not swallow the berries under any circumstances. Juniper berries contain essential oils that can cause stomach pain and nausea. Kidney and heart problems may result from consuming more massive amounts.
10. Nuts or quark
Nuts or quark, almonds, and kernels are the better options, as they neutralize and bind the stomach acid quite well. If you have acute heartburn, slowly chew some nuts (e.g., hazelnuts, cashews) or almonds to make a porridge and swallow it. However, nuts and almonds are high in fat. Keep this in mind when consuming large amounts. In the long run, it would not be suitable for your weight. Useful home remedies for heartburn are also sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Chew these too slowly and swallow the fleshy pulp.
This recommendation is not suitable for you if you are allergic to nuts. Even the smallest amounts are enough to cause allergic symptoms that can be life-threatening.
11. Flaxseed
Flaxseed not only helps with constipation and other gastrointestinal complaints but also with heartburn. The mucus made from linseed and water lies like a protective cover on the stomach wall and supports the natural function of the gastric mucus.
- Boil a tablespoon of flaxseed with 250 milliliters of water.
- Let the mixture simmer gently on the stove for about 30 minutes.
- Pass the mixture through a sieve and collect the mucus in a suitable container.
- Please take a few sips of it several times a day.
12. Herbal tea
The classic, especially for those with mild heartburn, is drinking tea. Herbal teas made from medicinal plants such as chamomile, fennel, yarrow, anise, lemon balm, caraway, or ribwort are helpful. Chamomile tea, for example, has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. There are ready-made tea blends that contain several types of plants. You can also make the mixtures yourself from herbs. Herbal tea dilutes and neutralizes the excess stomach acid. Also, the fluid washes residues of the gastric acid that has risen from the esophagus back into the stomach. Besides, the herbal ingredients soothe the stomach.
- Brew the tea (e.g., chamomile tea) with hot water and let the brew steep for a few minutes.
- Don’t drink the tea too hot, just let it cool a little. Take the tea in small sips.
- Drink several cups of herbal tea a day for acute heartburn.
- An alternative to tea is non-carbonated water.
Mint tea is not recommended for heartburn. The ingredients of the mint irritate the stomach and worsen heartburn. Overall, drinks that are neutral or alkaline are best suited here. It is better to avoid drinks like cola, soda, or fruit juices. Alcohol is also not the right choice in this case.
13. Chewing gum against stomach acid
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