If you've had acid reflux before, then you must have noticed that it's usually after eating spicy foods. But why is that? This happens because spicy foods increase stomach acid, irritating the oesophagus and relaxing the muscles, preventing acid reflux.
Acid reflux, or what we casually call acidity, is a common health condition experienced by many Indians. In fact, more than half of the world's adults experience acidity or acid reflux at some point.
Acidity, though not immediately alarming, is a problem that disrupts the natural harmony of the digestive system and can cause major health issues in the long run. Its unpleasant symptoms can also interfere with our day-to-day lives. The good news is treating acidity is not a difficult task. This condition can be easily treated or avoided by taking special care of a few small things.
In this blog, we will take a closer look at this condition, the reasons for acidity, how you can prevent and cure it, and 9 simple home remedies you must try!
Table of Contents
- What is Acidity?
- What Are The Main Causes of Acidity?
- How To Remove Acidity From The Body – 9 Simple Home Remedies
- How Can You Prevent Acidity? Easy Ways To Prevent and Cure Acidity
- Expert’s Advice
- The Final Say
- FAQs
- References
What is Acidity?
Acidity, formally known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a common medical condition involving excess production of stomach acid, which may lead to symptoms like bloating, indigestion, and, in some cases, heartburn.
Our stomach contains hydrochloric acid (HCL) with a pH of 4, and when this acidity exceeds normal levels, it can cause acidity. It's often triggered by eating spicy or greasy foods, skipping meals, or indulging in caffeine and alcohol. Stress and poor sleep can also make it worse.
Due to acidity, a person may have to face many health problems like indigestion, vomiting, stomach problems, skin irritation, etc. Apart from this, other symptoms like heartburn, burning pain in the abdomen, acid belching, flatulence and nausea also point to acidity.
While it’s a common issue, small lifestyle tweaks like eating on time, staying hydrated, and avoiding heavy meals before bed can go a long way in keeping acidity in check.
Also Read: Consider These 5 Exercises Of Yoga For Acid Reflux Or GERD Treatment!
What Are The Main Causes of Acidity?
Here are some common reasons for acidity:
| Improper Eating Habits | Eating at improper times and eating too much junk, fried, spicy food, caffeine, and/or alcohol are some of the main causes of acidity. |
| Lifestyle | Living a life with excessive stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and smoking increases acid production in the stomach. Additionally, pregnancy can also cause acid to spread rapidly in the stomach as it increases pressure on the stomach. |
| Medicines | Aspirin, ibuprofen and some antibiotics are some of the medicines that can cause acidity. |
| Health problems | Health problems like hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcers that cause acidity. |
| Overeating | Eating large meals can increase stomach pressure and cause acid to leak into the oesophagus. |
| Obesity | Being obese or overweight is another thing that can put pressure on the stomach and push acid up into the oesophagus. |
| Stress | Being under stress can affect digestive function, leading to increased acid production. |
Also Read: 10 Habits to Ditch Before the New Year: Start Fresh in 2025!
9 Simple Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Acidity
If you're looking for natural ways to reduce acidity quickly, then here are nine amazing remedies you can use:
| 1. Fennel or Saunf |
| Due to their antacid properties, fennel seeds or saunf helps reduce acidity. They can neutralise stomach acid, help treat indigestion and soothe acid reflux. |
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| 2. Buttermilk |
| It's a well-known fact that buttermilk or chaas can neutralise excess acids in the stomach and calm it down. It contains lactic acid, which helps digest complex foods, and when combined with some other Indian species, it can provide immediate relief from acid reflux. |
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| 3. Banana |
| This fruit is the simplest, most amazing and a very effective home remedy to help relieve acidity. This is because bananas have alkaline properties and are also rich in pectin, which keeps food moving through the digestive tract. It acts as a layer on the irritated lining of the oesophagus to prevent acidity. |
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| 4. Ginger |
| Another home remedy with a simple ingredient straight from your kitchen that can work wonderfully for acidity is a slice of ginger. While more research is still ongoing, small amounts of ginger may reduce inflammation or irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and provide relief from acidity. |
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| 5. Ajwain |
| Our parents, grandparents and even their grandparents used Ajwain for instant relief from acidity and flatulence. It has antacid properties and contains thymol, which boosts gastric juice secretion and provides instant relief from acidity. |
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| 6. Cold Milk |
| Yes, drinking cold milk allows the stomach acids to be absorbed and provides immediate relief from heartburn or acid reflux! |
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| 7. Cardamom |
| In Ayurvedic traditions, cardamom is believed to balance the three doshas—kapha, pitta, and vata. It aids digestion, soothes stomach cramps, and protects the stomach lining from excessive acid production. |
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| 8. Papaya |
| The papain enzyme found in papaya can aid digestion and relieve acidity. Its high water content helps with digestion, maintains hydration, and reduces reflux by neutralising stomach acid. |
| 9. Jaggery |
| Jaggery's high potassium content boosts mucus secretion in the stomach, reducing excess acid production. Rich in magnesium, it strengthens the intestinal wall, making it a great remedy for acidity. |
How Can You Prevent Acidity? Easy Ways To Prevent and Cure Acidity
By incorporating simple lifestyle changes, you can say goodbye to occasional and mild cases of acid reflux. Implement these:
I. Lifestyle Changes
Occasional or mild cases of acid reflux can usually be prevented by adopting a few lifestyle changes.
Sleep on your left side
| This might sound like one of those myths, but sleeping on your left side can ease acid reflux. This is due to how the oesophagus connects to the stomach. This position helps keep acid away from the lower oesophageal sphincter, the muscle that prevents acid and food from rising into the throat. |
| Maintain a healthy weight | Excess abdominal fat can increase pressure in your abdomen, pushing the lower oesophageal sphincter away from the diaphragm's support. This may result in a hiatal hernia, which can contribute to GERD. To avoid this, start a weight loss plan, incorporate exercise, and eat foods for weight loss. |
| Quit smoking | Saliva helps neutralise stomach acid, but smoking reduces saliva production and weakens the lower oesophageal sphincter, increasing acid reflux. Quitting smoking has been shown to lessen the severity of GERD. |
Also Read: Implement 7 Health And Fitness Tips For Weight Loss Results!
II. Dietary Changes
Making dietary changes—such as watching what, when, and how you eat—can help reduce or prevent acid reflux.
| 1. Avoid triggers | Certain foods can trigger acid reflux and heartburn. Such as:
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| 2. Eat earlier | If you’re prone to acid reflux, avoid eating within 2–3 hours of bed and opt for a lighter dinner, saving your big meal for lunch. |
3. Smaller, more frequent meals
| Eating smaller, frequent meals keeps your stomach from overworking, reducing acidity and discomfort. It's an easy fix for happier digestion! |
Also Read: 10 Healthier Food Swaps That Can Bring A Huge Impact On Your Long-Term Wellness
III. Medicines
Many people can resolve their symptoms with lifestyle changes. Some people may need medication to manage acid reflux and heartburn. Doctors might suggest over-the-counter or prescription options, such as:
| Antacids | Some antacid medications can provide immediate relief from acidity, improving its symptoms quickly. |
| H2 blockers | With this type of medicine, the acid production capacity in the stomach is reduced. |
| Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) | These are most effective at reducing stomach acid production. |
Also Read: Understanding Gut Health And Skin: 10 Home Remedies To Improve Digestion For Better Skin
Expert’s Advice
You can easily manage acidity through a combination of dietary changes and lifestyle modifications with the help of simple, natural remedies.
By being mindful of your eating habits and making healthy lifestyle changes, you can reduce the frequency of your acidity as well as the intensity of your acid reflux symptoms. I suggest including foods like banana, papaya, melon, watermelon, pear, guava, leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, cucumber, squash, potatoes, cottage cheese and porridge in your diet.
Health Expert
Lavina Chauhan
The Final Say
Acidity is when your stomach produces excess acid and is often triggered by spicy foods. While acid reflux can happen anytime, 70-75% of sufferers experience it at night. To manage acidity, try eating dinner 3 hours before bed, elevating the bed’s head, choosing healthy snacks, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and staying active. Over-the-counter medications can provide quick relief.
FAQs
1. Which organ is affected by acidity?
Acidity affects the stomach the most as acid is released in the stomach.
2. How to cure acidity naturally?
Avoiding heavy meals, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, and improving sleep patterns and posture after meals help treat and prevent acidity.
3. What is the fastest way to cure acidity?
Taking over-the-counter medicines is the fastest way to cure acidity. Antacids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and H2 blockers are the best medical ways to treat acidity.
4. How can I treat acidity naturally?
To treat acidity naturally, try eating smaller meals, staying hydrated, avoiding spicy foods, and incorporating soothing remedies like ginger or aloe vera.
References
- https://dpuhospital.com/blog/what-are-the-causes-of-acidity/
- https://ckbirlahospitals.com/rbh/blog/acidity-symptoms-causes-treatment-prevention-in-hindi
- https://www.starhealth.in/blog/acidity-causes-symptoms-risk-factors-and-home-remedies/
- https://sahyadrihospital.com/blog/hyperacidity/
- https://www.kailashhealthcare.com/blog/how-to-reduce-too-much-acid-in-stomach
- https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/stomach/home-remedies-for-acidity-for-instant-relief/
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