Natural remedies for acid reflux and heartburn Joy Onuorah Millions of people experience acid reflux and heartburn. Acid reflux is when stomach acid gets pushed up into the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food and drink from the mouth to the stomach. The most common symptom of acid reflux is known as heartburn, which is a painful, burning feeling in the chest or throat. Here are some natural remedies to prevent heartburn: Don’t overeat Avoid eating large meals. Acid reflux usually increases after meals, and larger meals seem to make the problem worse. Lose weight Excessive pressure inside the abdomen is one of the reasons for acid reflux. Losing belly fat might relieve some of your symptoms. Follow a low-carb diet Acid reflux might be caused by poor carb digestion and bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. Low-carb diets appear to be an effective treatment, but further studies are needed. Limit alcohol Excessive alcohol intake can worsen acid reflux symptoms. If you experience heartburn, limiting your alcohol intake might help ease some of your pain. Reduce coffee intake Evidence suggests that coffee makes acid reflux and heartburn worse. If you feel like coffee increases your symptoms, you should consider limiting your intake. Chew gum Chewing gum increases the formation of saliva and helps clear the esophagus of stomach acid. Avoid raw onions Some people experience worsened heartburn and other reflux symptoms after eating raw onion. Limit intake of carbonated beverages Carbonated beverages temporarily increase the frequency of belching, which may promote acid reflux. If they worsen your symptoms, try drinking less or avoiding them altogether. Elevate the head of your bed Some people experience reflux symptoms during the night. This may disrupt their sleep quality and make it difficult for them to fall asleep. Hence, elevating the head of your bed may reduce your reflux symptoms at night. Don’t Eat Within Three Hours of Going to Bed Observational studies suggest that eating close to bedtime may worsen acid reflux symptoms at night. Yet, the evidence is inconclusive and more studies are needed. Don’t sleep on your right hand side If you experience acid reflux at night, avoid sleeping on the right side of your body.
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