our stomach secretes acid which helps in breaking down the food we eat during the digestion process. When the stomach produces more acid than is needed for the digestion process, it results in the condition known as acidity.
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In today's fast-paced world, our lives are becoming increasingly busy and demanding. We juggle a multitude of tasks and responsibilities, often with limited time to complete them. This busy lifestyle has had a significant impact on our overall well-being, particularly when it comes to our eating habits. We tend to grab quick and convenient meals on the go, which are often high in fat, sugar, and processed ingredients.
As a result, we are more prone to experiencing digestive issues such as acidity, which can cause discomfort, pain, and other health complications. We must prioritize our health and make conscious decisions about what we eat, to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
- burning sensation or pain below the breastbone or in the stomach
- frequent burping or hiccups for no apparent reason
- sour taste in the mouth
- heartburn
FOODS/HERBS THAT ARE HELPFUL IN ACIDITY
- Alkaline foods
- Banana
- Papaya
- Cumin seeds
- Fennel seeds
- Green cardamom
- Ginger
- Cold milk
- Jaggery
- Coconut water etc.,
To know how to use these foods/herbs in remedies for acidity, read below home remedies:
HOME REMEDIES
It is important to note that although home remedies may be considered safe, individuals with food or herb allergies should avoid using them.
1) CUMIN SEEDS (Zeera):
Cumin is a versatile spice that offers a range of health benefits, including its ability to neutralize acidity and aid in digestion. If you suffer from acidity, you can try chewing on roasted cumin seeds after a meal.
Another option is to boil 1-2 teaspoons of cumin seeds in a cup of water, strain the mixture, and then drink it lukewarm after a meal. This will not only provide relief from acidity but also help in digestion.
2) FENNEL SEEDS (Saunf):
Fennel seeds are a great natural remedy for digestive problems. These small seeds are effective in relieving stomach gas and preventing acidity. One easy way to include fennel seeds in your routine is to chew on them after your meals. This will not only help with digestion but also freshen your breath.
Alternatively, you can steep fennel seeds in hot water for a few minutes to make a soothing tea that can be sipped on throughout the day.
3) JAGGERY (Gur):
Incorporating a small piece of jaggery into your post-meal routine can provide a multitude of benefits. Firstly, the natural sweetness of jaggery stimulates digestive enzymes and promotes better digestion. Additionally, it helps to prevent acidity by maintaining a healthy pH balance in the stomach.
Secondly, jaggery is a rich source of iron which is essential for the production of hemoglobin in the blood. This helps to maintain healthy blood levels and promotes overall well-being. However, it is important to note that this remedy is not suitable for individuals with diabetes.
4) GINGER (Adrak):
If you are experiencing acidity, ginger can be a great natural remedy to alleviate the condition. This is because ginger contains compounds that have been found to neutralize stomach acid.
To use ginger for relieving acidity, you can prepare a cup of ginger tea by boiling fresh ginger in a cup of water. Let the ginger steep in the water for a few minutes and then drink it lukewarm, around 30 minutes before having a meal. The warmth of the tea can help soothe the stomach and the compounds in ginger can help to reduce acidity.
5) APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (Seb ka siraka):
Sometimes acidity may be a result of too little stomach acid. To deal with this concern, introducing more acid into the digestive tract can help in proper digestion and prevent acidity.
One simple and effective way to achieve this is by consuming apple cider vinegar before a meal. All you need to do is mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it 15-20 minutes before your meal. This will aid in optimal digestion and help you avoid the discomfort and inconvenience caused by acidity.
6) BUTTERMILK (Chaas):
As per Ayurveda, drinking buttermilk or chaas after lunch can help relieve gas, acidity, and indigestion symptoms. Buttermilk contains lactic acid, which neutralizes the acidity in the stomach. Regular consumption of buttermilk, especially after lunch, can prevent all indigestion symptoms, including acidity.
7) HOLY BASIL (Tulsi):
Holy basil, also known as tulsi, is a miraculous herb that can provide you with a wide range of benefits. One of the benefits of holy basil is that it effectively helps to relieve acidity and gas. The leaves of holy basil have potent anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation in the stomach lining and alleviate the symptoms of acidity and gas.
If you want to use holy basil to treat these conditions, you can either chew 4-5 leaves of basil or make basil tea. To make basil tea, simply boil a few leaves of basil in water, let it steep for a few minutes, and drink it lukewarm. The warm tea will help to soothe your stomach and reduce the effect of gastric acid.
FOR INSTANT RELIEF FROM ACIDITY...
- Banana - Ripe banana is alkaline in nature and is very helpful in giving instant relief from acidity and related uneasiness. It has a natural antacid effect on the body.
- Coconut water - Natural coconut water is alkaline in nature, which makes it a great option for giving instant relief from acidity and related uneasiness. The electrolyte content in coconut water helps in promoting pH balance in the body.
- Cold milk - Milk is high in calcium, which helps in giving instant relief from acidity by absorbing excess acid produced. Take a sip of cold milk every 5 minutes, till you get relief.
DO'S AND DON'TS IN ACIDITY
If even after doing everything, you are not getting relief from acidity or it reoccurs frequently, go through the following DO'S and DON'TS
DO'S
- Eat healthy food. Have more veggies, fruits, and salads in your diet.
- Eat salad at least 15-20 minutes before your meal. This will help in relieving constipation.
- Take a fiber-rich diet.
- Eat slowly.
- Chew your food well, so that it can be digested easily.
- Include more alkaline food in your diet.
- Maintain a gap of 2-3 hours between your dinner and sleep.
- Always take your meal at the scheduled time.
- Take 7-8hr of good sleep. No compromise on sleep.
- Be physically active. Do regular exercise/yoga.
- Learn to de-stress.
DON'TS
- Don't eat junk and processed foods.
- Don't have excessive consumption of fried and spicy foods.
- Don't skip meals.
- Don't eat in a hurry.
- Don't overeat.
- Don't have excessive consumption of tea, coffee, soft drinks...
- Don't have a sedentary lifestyle.
- Don't exercise or take a bath right after having a meal.
- Don't take excessive consumption of alcohol.
- Don't take the stress.
Acidity is a prevalent condition typically caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. To alleviate symptoms, it's important to make healthier choices and modify your lifestyle accordingly.
Stay Healthy, Stay Fit!
Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information.