If you’re looking for a way to naturally reduce your acid reflux, try a low carb diet. Researchers have found that people who follow low-carb diets are less likely to have heartburn, and when they do experience it, it’s less severe. If you’re unfamiliar, heartburn is a condition where stomach acid backs up into the oesophagus, causing discomfort. You may experience it when you eat spicy foods, coffee, or alcoholic drinks. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to prevent and relieve this condition.
Cut Back On The Booze And Take More Water
Alcohol has been shown to increase the acidity of the stomach fluids. While it may not sound like drinking alcohol could cause heartburn, the body actually produces more acid when it comes to booze. This, in turn, makes the condition more likely to occur. It’s important to stay hydrated when on a low carb diet as well, for the same reason that it’s important to stay hydrated when on any diet. In fact, consuming eight glasses of water per day may help to protect you against acid reflux. You should drink additional fluids after meals as well, for the same reason that you should drink additional fluids after eating a snack or a meal. This way, your stomach will remain more relaxed and the acid will stay at bay.
Cut Out The Spicy And Unhealthy Meals
If you’re really trying to cut back on your acid reflux, you’ll need to avoid the foods and drinks that make it worse. These are obvious foods like peppermint, chocolate, and tomatoes, but you may be surprised by some of the others. You should be aware that some of the foods that you enjoy may well be contributing to your acid reflux. For example, pickles, tomato juice, and curry have all been shown to increase the body’s acid. You might be inclined to think that these foods aren’t likely to cause problems for you personally, but it’s always best to be safe than sorry. Try cutting out the foods and drinks that worsen your acid reflux, and you’ll notice a big difference in your overall health.
Manage Your Stress Levels
There’s also some interesting research to suggest that stress may be connected to acid reflux. Studies have shown that stress may increase the body’s production of acid by as much as 30%. This could explain why many people experience acid reflux when they’re under a lot of stress. You may consider trying to reduce your stress levels or seeking professional help if this is a chronic issue for you. There are also some useful herbs and spices that you may consider trying to reduce your stress. For example, marshmallow has been known to reduce stress, while green tea has been shown to do the same. Certain smells like cinnamon and vanilla have also been known to help reduce anxiety.
Watch Your Diet Don’t Go Up In Gas
There’s also some evidence to suggest that a diet higher in fiber may reduce your chances of experiencing acid reflux. It’s believed that the bulkiness of the food may help to settle the stomach, preventing the contents from rising into the esophagus. Many people who follow vegan diets, for example, experience very few cases of acid reflux. This may be because they’re not consuming any foods that could cause harm to them. There’s also some evidence available to suggest that eating more plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables may help to lower cholesterol, which in turn, could protect you against heart disease.
Avoid Sleeping On Your Stomach
It’s also important to avoid sleeping on your stomach. This is because when you do, your acid reflux may well be aggravated. Lie on your left side, so that your stomach is facing upwards. This will help to improve the functioning of your sphincter muscles and reduce the chances of acid reflux. When you sleep on your right side, your stomach rolls over and acid reflux is more likely to occur. When this happens, simply turn over and put yourself back on your left side. Try to get into this position as soon as you go to sleep and continue throughout the night. This may help to prevent some very unpleasant symptoms.
Use Less Tabacco
Tobacco has been known to cause acid reflux in some people. If you’re a heavy smoker, you may well be contributing to your own health problems. The evidence is clear: quit smoking as soon as possible. The best thing for your health is for you to never have touched a cigarette. As a result of your decision to quit, you’ll notice a significant improvement in your acid reflux. It’s also important to note that some people who have used nicotine patches to help them quit smoking have reported that these may also help to alleviate their acid reflux symptoms. If you’re really struggling to give up tobacco, there are some experts that you may want to consult.
Reduce How Much You Eat
Another simple way to avoid or reduce your acid reflux is to simply eat less. When you reduce how much you eat, you’re less likely to experience the annoying symptoms that make you want to reach for that glass of wine or bottle of beer. It’s important to continue to eat food, even when you’re on a diet. Eating is necessary to provide your body with nutrients and vitamins that ensure a strong and healthy immune system. While you may feel better when you cut out foods that cause acid reflux, you may end up having less energy. Eating less is not a bad idea, as long as you realize that it’s not always going to be possible. You may also consider trying a reduced-carbohydrate diet, where the majority of the carbohydrates come from fruits and vegetables rather than bread, pasta, and rice. This may help in lowering cholesterol and preventing heart disease. Of course, if it’s really causing you problems, you should consult with your doctor so that he may prescribe you some medications to help with the condition.
Manage Your Body’s Ph Levels
There’s also some evidence to suggest that your body’s PH levels may be linked to acid reflux. When your PH levels are too low, this can make it more difficult for your stomach to properly heal after an injury or surgery. Try to raise your PH levels as much as possible, through diet and exercise, so that you may keep your stomach strong and healthy. You may experience acid reflux when your PH levels are too high, which is why it’s important to maintain a healthy balance between the two. Simply eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and exercise daily. This may help to keep your body’s PH levels in a healthy range, allowing you to avoid any unpleasant side effects.
It’s well established that a healthy diet and lifestyle can help to prevent a number of illnesses. There’s also some evidence to suggest that a low carb diet may help to naturally reduce your acid reflux. If you’re really determined to get rid of your acid reflux, you may need to try a different approach. Instead of eliminating foods that could cause harm, you may want to consider incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products into your diet. Reduce the amount of meat that you eat, and focus on eating food that provides your body with necessary nutrients. Your body is capable of some amazing things, and with a little bit of dedication, you may be able to reduce your acid reflux symptoms and get back to enjoying life the way you were meant to. Good luck out there.