Superfoods to control acidity

Suffer from acidity? Check out all the things that can trigger and cure it!

There's nothing worse than acidity that can pull you down on a perfectly normal day. Bad headaches, heartburns and belching can ruin every single thing you may have planned at work or on that precious day off.

Here's what causes that awful feeling and a list of power foods that will certainly cure you of it!

Body pH & alkaline minerals

Body chemistry works best in an alkaline pH; Body pH is determined by lifestyle and food habits. Body buffers acids normally produced using alkaline minerals reserves like calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc.

Courtesy: www.gud2eat.com

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Fruits & vegetables help maintain pH balance

The body continually strives to balance pH (pH of the body's fluids and tissues). Healthy body pH range is from 6 to 7.5. Note body pH is determined by your lifestyle and food habits.

Avoid meals that cause you to belch...

When you belch, the valve at the top of the stomach has to open -- allowing trapped air to escape -- sometimes that action brings up acidic stomach contents along with it. Avoid carbonated drinks.

Smoking can trigger heartburn

Smoking cuts down on saliva, which normally flushes stomach acid out of the esophagus; Smoking also weakens the valve between the stomach and esophagus helping the stomach acid flow back.

Risk for GERD may be due to genetic factors

Wondering what's causing your heartburn? Cause of heartburn may also be due to inherited physical traits, such as abnormalities in stomach function or a hypersensitivity to stomach acids.

Mini meals versus 2 meals for heartburn

Eat many small meals as a full stomach causes the valve between your stomach and esophagus to relax, pushing stomach acids into the esophagus. Eating close to bedtime can trigger GERD symptoms.

If overweight, you are likely to have heartburn!

Studies have linked that the risk of acid reflux symptoms increases along with body-mass index (BMI). This may be due to poor diet, excess body fat in the abdomen, and chemicals released by body fat.

Stress and heartburn

Stress definitely triggers heartburn, but does not cause a surge in stomach acid production. The neurological effects of stress might ratchet up pain receptors in the esophagus thus making you more aware of pain.

Is milk good for acid reflux?

Milk can temporarily buffer stomach acid; choose fat-free skimmed milk, as fat in whole milk will trigger acid production. Drink no more than 8 ounces of skimmed milk at a time or as a snack in between meals.

Water can alleviate symptoms of heartburn

Focus on water consumption between meals, not during meals. Excess water drinking during meals can lower stomach acidity and impair digestion.

Natural juice helps reduce acidity symptoms

Fruit juices derived from fresh fruits and vegetables contains natural sugar compounds or fructose that does not form acidic compounds in the body. Fruit juices are alkaline and have a pH level of about 8.5.

Fresh cucumber juice for heartburn

Natural fresh juice of alkaline foods like lemon, orange, sweet lime, pineapple, carrots, pumpkin, cucumber, bottle gourd helps individuals with acidity or heartburn.

Lemon juice a heartburn remedy

Taking hot water with lemon 30-40 minutes before meals helps digestion plus potassium in lemon is an acid-neutraliser and actually helps raise pH (alkaline) after digestion.

Chamomile or fennel tea for acid reflux relief

The soothing effects of chamomile or fennel tea are also known to provide acid reflux relief. The tea should best be sipped, not gulped, and should be of a moderate temperature, not too hot or cold.

Fruits that help reduce acidity

Fruits include watermelon, limes, grapefruit, papayas, dates, figs, melons, grapes, papaya, kiwi, blueberries, apples, pears, and raisins etc. There are many diet related causes of acidity...

Grapes should be part of your acid reflux diet

Grapes contain alkalising minerals like potassium and manganese, plus flavonoids and vitamin C, vitamin B6 & thiamine. Ripe grapes form a good low calorie snack that has many health benefits.

Banana works like an antacid to soothe heartburn

Rich in potassium bananas are good for people suffering with acidity bringing almost immediate relief and help in regulating blood pressure. Banana is rich in fiber which helps regulate blood sugar.

Apples can lower the level of acidity in the body

Apples are acidic but form alkaline products once in the body -- eating apples after a meal is known to reduce acidity levels and reduce acid reflux symptoms. Skin of the apple contains most of the nutrients.

Mango helps reduce acidity symptoms

Mangoes, melons, papaya are vitamin-rich foods that largely help in colon cleansing. The fruits are diuretic, which is quite beneficial for the kidneys.

Watermelon is an effective remedy for heartburn

Watermelon is effective during fasting and cleansing of your colon. Watermelon is also rich in lycopene and beta-carotene which are powerful antioxidants and protect your heart.

Papaya is an alkalising fruit

If you're already stricken with acidity related to indigestion, eating pineapple or papaya (or drinking the juice) can help settle your stomach naturally.

Vegetables that help reduce acidity

Vegetables include vegetable juices, lemons, parsley, raw spinach, broccoli, okra, squash, green beans, beets, celery, lettuce, succhini, sweet potato.

Potato and acidity

Potato is naturally alkaline. Potato rich in potassium salt helps restrict acidity. Choose boiled or roasted potatoes.

Asparagus is an alkalising vegetable

Asparagus lowers the acidity in the body. Asparagus is rich in alkalising minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Green vegetables relieve heartburn

Greens are rich in alkaline minerals, ensymes and chlorophyll, thus help neutralise excess stomach acidity.

Sweet potatoes are an asset to alkaline diet

Sweet potatoes are alkaline and loaded with beta carotene and fiber; Choose sweet potato that are either baked, roasted or boiled, dressed with alkaline dressing of lemon and olive oil.

Complex carbs and heartburn relief

Include complex carbohydrates, whole grains and starchy vegetables in your acid reflux diet menu plan. These foods bind to excess stomach acids and are gentle on the stomach and digestive tract.

Oatmeal & milk for acidity

Oatmeal is also very low in saturated fats and cholesterol, both of which can be triggers for acid reflux. Enjoy it with skimmed milk to get some extra calcium. Oatmeal also provides plenty of fiber, vitamin A and iron.

Plant proteins & acidity

Plant proteins or lentils help improve tone and tightness of LES (lower esophageal sphincter). Rich in fiber and proteins lentils help getting your body's muscles to work properly and to keep digestion smooth.

Chicken & heartburn

Lean cuts of chicken are another great way to give your body a healthy dose of protein. Try serving chicken with a heartburn-safe vegetable, such as carrots, succhini, or broccoli.