Home remedies for acidity and GERD. Festival times are the best times to catch up with friends and family by sharing food and quality time. It is but natural to overeat. Initially, food is enjoyable but then the after-effects of overeating are unbearable.
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You may end up with bloating, indigestion, or burning sensation in your chest and upper stomach. The symptoms are so overlapping that you get confused about whether you are experiencing acid reflux or gastrointestinal reflux (GERD).
So before we jump to Home remedies for acidity and GERD, let us first see what is the difference between acid reflux or acidity and GERD?
Difference between Acidity and GERD
- Acid reflux or Acidity is when stomach acid reverses to the esophagus, through the junction where your esophagus and stomach connect.
- GERD is an abnormal amount of acid reflux from the stomach. It can result in heartburn with a hoarse voice, chest pain, and asthma in extreme cases. GERD may lead to ulcers, bleeding in your esophageal lining or tissue scarring.
Symptoms of acid reflux or acidity and GERD:
Acid Reflux (Acidity) Symptoms
- Stomach upset: Bloating, nausea, gas, uncomfortable feeling.
- Heartburn.
- Burning feeling in your oral cavity.
- Food regurgitation in the throat.
- Excessive belching with a sour taste in your mouth.
GERD Symptoms
- Heartburn.
- Chest pain.
- Nausea.
- Regurgitation of food in the throat.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Coughing or wheezing.
- Poor appetite or unexpected weight loss.
What is the main cause of acidity?
- High-fat foods:
Fried and fatty foods weaken the oesophageal sphincter, causing more stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. Such foods delay stomach emptying, giving a feeling of bloating. Few examples of high-fat foods are:
Fried foods, full-fat dairy products like butter, cheese, sour cream, desserts, and creamy salad dressing.
- Citrus fruits:
High acid-containing fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lime, pineapple, etc. if taken in large quantities worsen the symptoms of GERD. These fruits further lower the pH level in the stomach causing more acid reflux. It is advisable to consume the right quantity of fruits at the right time.
Garlic, onions, and spices:
Spicy foods sometimes trigger heartburn in many people. Onions and garlic have gas-causing properties. Also, the spices if taken in excess trigger burning sensation in the esophagus. This may not happen to all. But, people specifically reactive to onions, garlic, and spices should be cautious while having these foods.
Coffee:
The caffeine in the coffee aggravates the acid reflux. Thus, avoid black or strong coffee or don’t have coffee on an empty stomach.
Obesity:
Obesity is associated with high-fat deposition near the waist. This can cause to loosen or weaken the oesophageal sphincter leading to excess acid reflux.
Sedentary lifestyle:
Less activity or no activity leads to food being stagnant in the intestines and stomach. More time the food is in the stomach, there are higher chances of reflux.
Pregnancy:
During pregnancy, the fetus may sometimes push the stomach towards the esophagus and in turn, the sphincter relaxes. This causes the reflux.
Reasons for acidity:
- Eating large meals
- Lying down right after a meal
- Snacking before bedtime
- Smoking
- Taking over the counter drugs regularly like aspirin, ibuprofen, muscle relaxants or hypertension medications
Home remedies for acidity and GERD
These Home remedies for acidity and GERD works best to reduce acidity. These are the foods that can be included in the diet to reduce acidity.
- Coconut Water: Coconut water is high in potassium. It helps neutralize the stomach acid thus reducing acidity symptoms. A glass of coconut water for a few days will give a good result.
- Banana: Bananas contain potassium. It acts as a buffer against acid reflux. Consume one banana every day to prevent discomfort.
- Basil Leaves: Eat a few basil leaves or boil 3-4 basil leaves in a cup of water and let it simmer for a few minutes. Sip on it frequently.
- Fennel: You can also chew fennel seeds post meals to prevent acidity. It can also be taken in the form of fennel tea. It is useful in relieving digestive problems.
- Buttermilk: The probiotics in combination with lactic acid in the buttermilk relieves the acidity. For best results add cumin seed powder to relieve gas issues.
- Cinnamon: Drinking cinnamon tea by boiling cinnamon in water, improves digestion and absorption, thus relieving acid reflux.
- Cumin Seeds: Cumin seeds aid digestion and also are an acid neutralizer. Consume crushed roasted cumin seeds for better results.
- Ginger: Ginger has anti-inflammatory property which helps to reverse the minor damage caused by acid on the stomach cells. According to Ayurveda ginger is also beneficial for digestion. Chew a slice of fresh ginger or drink fresh ginger boiled in a cup of water.
- Cold Milk: Milk is rich in calcium, which neutralizes the acid in the stomach. A glass of cold milk will give symptomatic relief.
- Cloves: Cloves prevent flatulence in the stomach. Use clove in pulse preparation which is more likely to cause flatulence.
Tips to reduce acidity?
- Avoid fried and fatty foods, chocolate, garlic onions, coffee, spicy foods, etc.
- Avoid large gaps between meals
- Eat small meals
- Eat 2 – 3 hours before sleeping
- Avoid consuming water with the meals to avoid bloating
- If the symptoms are severe take medical help
Sample Diet Plan to reduce Acidity and GERD :
Empty Stomach: ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder with 1 cup warm water + 1/2 Apple
Breakfast: 1 Bowl Oats with milk
Mid-Morning: 1 glass coconut water
Lunch:1 bowl salad + 2 – 3 chapatis + 1 cup vegetables + 1 cup Dal
Mid Afternoon:1 glass buttermilk
Evening snack:1 fruit (Banana)
Mid-Evening:1 glass buttermilk (if required)
Dinner: 1 cup vegetable soup + 1 cup Brown rice + 1 cup Dal + 1 cup curd
Bed Time: 1 cup cold Milk
How can I relieve acid reflux?
A simple lifestyle change is enough to relieve the symptoms of acids reflux and GERD. These are:
- Avoid eating before sleeping
- Don’t lie down soon after eating
- Avoid trigger foods that aggravate symptoms
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Try to maintain ideal body weight
- Maintain good posture while sitting post meals
- Put blocks measuring 4 – 6 inches under the head of your bed to raise the bed
- Avoid tight clothes or tight belts
Few Interesting reads for you –
- How to get instant relief from gas and indigestion
- Benefits of lemon for better digestion
- Health benefits of Ginger in better digestion
EndNote:
Smart eating and appropriate lifestyle changes help us relieve the symptoms of acid reflux and GERD. Differentiating between acid reflux and GERD is the key to its treatment. Removing the root cause of heartburn is more important than only treating the symptoms. I hope these home remedies for acidity and GERD.
What food can be eaten at night everyday as i have acidity pbm at every night.. please suggest simple night recipe that I will follow everyday.
what time do you eat your dinner and what time do you sleep ? what does your dinner comprise of ?
Hi maam,
Need to ask u I m facing acid reflux
Very confused in taking NY foods n drink to get rid of my problm
Continuously burping light coughing is der,like smthn is stuck in my throat it seems, smtimes my stomach is also bloated
So I started taking kapiva digesti care from yesterday
Plzzz do reply to my queries n help me to get rid of ds problem soon
Hi Saima ,
Thanks for reading at dietburrp. you havent asked me any question for me to reply , just discussed your symptoms .. please let me know how can i help.
Hi Doctor i have gerd and ibs since 2016 whenever i get symptoms i go to hospital my doctor gives me same ppi’s which i am on i really don’t know what to do i am really depressed all the time because of this disease please help me out so that i can live a normal life i am always tired my eyes are dry burping after meal even i have reflux with water as well
https://www.dietburrp.com/7-days-indian-low-fodmap-diet-plan-for-sibo-ibs-and-other-gi-issues/
Hello mam, I have burning sensation in esophagus almost all the time. I even get breathless frequently. Are both the symptoms related. pls help
yes they are related. but of the breathless ness is severe and couses your spo2 to fall , its best to check with a doctor.
Kindly suggest me a good indian diet book for Barrett’s and hiatal hernia
sirry , dont have myuch reference for this
What type of home made drinks can/should be consumed in summer for acid reflux reduction?
you can have kokum, buttermilk, ragi pej , coconut water.
diet for GERD. More of recipes
sure … will come up with some. thank you for suggesting.
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My endoscopy shows normall and my gastroenterlogist said that everything is normall still iam facing bloting problem what is the reason
bloating can occur due to many reasons like hormonal imbalance , indigestion , rinking excess water , eating gas generating foods , having a high fat meal , having too many carbs in your meal. You should watch your food , bloating may be arising due to wrong food.
Mam Can i eat apple for everytime after meal good or bad for acidreflux
instead of eating it after every meal, just have 1 apple in the morning on empty stomach . and have elaichi and jeera water stored in a bottle , and drink it fter every meal.
Idle can eat in morning for acidreflux
for breakfast yes ..
Hi mam,
Thanks for your diet plan.
My wife diagnosed with GERD 4 months back and the doctor told us about surgery so we tried another doctor. He told us about diet and lifestyle change with some medication.
My wife feels really uncomfortable that sometimes she cries when she is not able to tolerate.
How much time it takes for cure with these methods?
Hi Abhi ,
Lifestyle modifications and correct dietary haboits go a llong way to treat these issues … If you do everyt hing correctly , you will start noticing difference from 1 month itself .. and constantly following a healthy lifestyle and good diet will be mandatory … But works very very well.
Hi mam i am 21 years old and was diagnosed with gerd 2-3 months back i have been taking ppi’s and a tablet acogut before my meals.
Why is it taking so much time to go?
It becomes very stressful.
Should i go vegan or dairy is fine with acid reflux.
Could you tell if i can have grains lentils and everything or just vegetables.
Hi Vishaka ,
Details about all the foods you asked is mentioned in the article above . yes going vegan is a good way to tackle any GI issue and this will help you in GERD as well.
Hello mam I’m having acidity problem
Can you suggest to take or not protein powder as I’m going to gym
Hi Ankur ,
what time do you go to gym and when do you take the protein powder .
Hello, mam im a mother of a 4 year old…im facing acidity or what i don’t know but it gives me emotional attack like anxiety and breathlessness. I get worried seeing my child because i feel very helpless that time. I have pain between my stomach and chest and around naval at times and flatulence also. My stomach is bloated …eating normal food without spice and more of veggies. Still its not that better. Please tell me what is my problem can you figure out? Pl
please check with the doctor for diagnosis . once your diagnosis is confirmed , let me kno and i will help you food wise . dont worry so much . Hyper acidity can have the same symptoms as you are facing , but only a doctor will give a confirmed diagnosis.
hi i got gerd and what kind of indian foods are helpful and harmful to have? is it a life threatning disease?
Hi Harsha , the diet plan mentioned above wil help you . it can be managed with will power and dont worry it is not life threatening , it can be managed an overcomed also if you do the right things for health .
Milk is highly acidic in nature !
Mam
I have piles with bleeding
I have pain during stools passing out
I read on internet about this and get many type solutions for it but at all I didn’t get completely right solution
I want to get off from this
I want to completely end this. Because I want to join paramilitary force but in that field I have to pass medical and most of people told me that because of this disease candidate will be rejected
So madam please tell me that how to end this problem completely
In starting of this disease I had dishonored of digestion and not feels comfortable in stomach at that time I don’t know about it after sometime It turns into piles and having problem in passing stools
I have bleeding while passing stools
I am 22 years old and have an active lifestyle all day. By going gym, running and some of outdoor activities.
Mam I have also problem in sitting anywhere sometime
Now Madam please help me get out of it
Plz plz.
Hi , check this – https://www.dietburrp.com/indian-diet-plan-for-piles-what-food-to-eat-and-avoid-in-hemorrhoid/
Hello, I am to state that I am about 62 years of age, suffering from prostate problem while I was 38 years of age, presently suffering from acute acid and gas, not clearing my system as a result of which an acute pain from the one inch deep of my rectum ocassionally, it is felt that when the wind stored at the belly forbidden to come out, the pain starts. Recently uric acid attacked me with 8.4. We at home, do not use spicy food. Please suggest the home remedies.
Dear sir ,
start taking Isabgol at night with milk. this will help in clearing the bowel and bringing the acid down . i possible , walk for 10 mins after lunch and dinner , this will help in digestion and releasing gas easily.
i believe dal can leads to acidity.
Hi Naresh , as mentioned , every human body is different , a lot of people can digest dal even on GERD but some normally functioning people also get acidity with dal .. so its basically as per suitability .
Hello
I’m suffering from acid reflex,can u suggest me whether we can have rice in d afternoon and roti at night..
What are the veggies that can be taken.
you can eat all this , just make sure , that you walk for 15 – 20 mins after your meal and eat atleast 2 hours before sleep . it is more about what suits your body , as every body has a different reaction to different foods.
Hi payal MAm,
I suffer from gerd.. more specifically from lpr reflux.. I am from North india from Jaipur.. I wanted to ask that if the preparation of vegetables with minimal oils(1-2)tbsp(table spoon).. will it cause reflux?
Hi Kunal ,
minimum oil will not cause reflux. but be cautious about adding spices , they worsen GERD. make sure the vegetables are very soft cooked , you chew them well , and drink water with your meal . don ot sleep immediately after the meals and if possible walk for 5- 10 min at home after meals.
Hello Payal,
Thanks for Information, I would like to know if Non veg food should be avoided for GERD ?
Hi ,
yes non veg foods also provoke acid secretion and may worsen the condition , so go by your symptoms , eat in less quantity and check , if you feel discomfort , avoid it from next time . most individuals get acidity with non veg .
Was GERD a lifetime disease we need to fight?
Can’t it be cured completely?
Hi Praveen ,
It depends on the level of the issue . But you really should not stress , as GERD can be managed , with a little effort in your diet and daily practices and healthy habits . Stress will only increase your difficulties.
Hi Payal…
My friend was telling me abt the medicinal uses of betel leaf.So …I wanted to ask you to write a blog on betel leaf benefits for constipation and indigestion.
Thanks
Usha.
Hi Usha ,
How have yu been ? sure , thank you for suggesting , ill put it on my list .
Hi mam two weeks back iam facing acid reflux problem please guid me to overcome this problem i am very scared about this issue.
dont be scared , you can use the remedies mentioned in the article. if this is the beginning , you will benefit a lot