11 Foods to Cure Heartburn

Heartburn is a medical condition when the gastric acid travels up in the esophagus and literally burns the delicate superficial epithelial lining. This makes the underlying nerves open. These nerves get irritated by further reflux of gastric acid. There is a ring shaped muscular structure in the stomach that prevents anything to travel back to the esophagus. This is called cardiac sphincter. For any reason, if functioning of this sphincter gets hampered, the stomach acid can severely damage the esophageal mucosa. There are several medical preparations available to treat heartburn. But they are not free from side effects. Here we shall discuss about 11 foods to cure heartburn.

• Apples – apples are good source of carbohydrates. If you feel burning sensation over your upper part of abdomen, take a couple of slices of apple. You will feel better instantly. Apples contain some phenolic phytochemicals like procyanin, quercertin and epicatechin. All these helps in increasing the muscle tone of cardiac sphincter.

• Water – drinking plenty of water everyday will help in dilution of gastric acid. It also facilitate in normal physiological functions of our system.

• Aloe Vera – it has been confirmed by the scientists that a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori directly promotes gastric acid secretion. Aloe Vera juice can kill those bacteria and help to cure heartburn.

• Eat sea food – sea fishes contain larger amount of taurine. Taurine helps in reducing gastric acid secretion by inhibiting proton pump in the gastric mucosa. It is beneficial for your eyes as well.

• Apple cider vinegar – this may feel unnatural that we want to cure an overproduction of acid condition by another acid, but this is true. 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar daily with some lukewarm water will help in prevention of heartburn.

• Banana – bananas are natural antacids. You can incorporate green banana in your vegetables or you can take ripe bananas as well.

• Milk – milk is a good source of calcium. Calcium helps to reduce gastric acid secretion.

• Licorice – this again helps is successful reduction of gastric acid production. Moreover, the fiber content of licorice will help you in prevention of re-absorption of cholesterol.

• Kombucha tea – infusion drink prepared from kombucha tree leaves is a known cure from heartburn. It contains a weak acid, i.e. acetic acid and lots of probiotic organisms. Presence of a weak acid in stomach will help in down regulation of production of strong gastric acid. Probiotic agents present will help in neutralizing the Helicobacter pylori.

• Lemon and oranges – again for the same reason. Both these foods contain acetic acid and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Apart from being good antioxidant, these weak acids will reduce the gastric acid content.

• Foods that are poor in oil and spice – your diet should contain fewer amounts of spices and oils. These ingredients augment the gastric acid production.

Besides all these foods, you have to take a balanced diet, sleep at least 8 hours a day and exercise regularly. If you already suffer from heartburn, you should take small frequent meals, instead of taking larger portions in a single sitting.