Say NO To Acidity! Discover The Best Remedies
Gastric acidity does not necessarily have to be classified as a disease, but as a very uncomfortable digestive imbalance; which can worsen and, over time, favor the emergence of some diseases, due to changes in the pH of the region.
Next, we’ll explain the possible causes of such changes and why it’s inconvenient to abuse antacids.
We’ll also share tips on the best natural remedies to naturally fight acidity.
Possible causes
The most common causes of gastric acidity are:
- Poor diet or excess of acidic foods;
- Usual use of medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen or oral contraceptives;
- bad habits
- Stress
- Slow digestion
About antacids
It is possible to find, without any difficulty, antacids in pharmacies. However, many people also turn to baking soda to relieve acidity.
These people should know that such remedies only temporarily improve the problem, that is, they are not able to cure it. On the contrary, if we overuse antacids we can end up changing the stomach acids a lot, which can cause multiple illnesses.
harmful food
It is advisable to avoid, as far as possible, and especially in any hyperacidity crisis, the following foods:
- dairy
- sugars
- Fried food
- refined food
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Kill
- Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger and pepper
- Tobacco
beneficial foods
In contrast, some alkaline foods facilitate digestion or act as natural antacids. Some examples are:
- Lemon : despite being citric and acidic, it has an acid neutralizing effect when it reaches the stomach, so it is recommended to take it regularly, combined with meals and as a juice, mixed with water.
- Potato : a great natural antacid. Its juice works perfectly to soothe stomach burns.
- Corn : it is the only alkaline grain, so we should consume it more often than other cereals such as rice, wheat, etc.
- Pineapple : facilitates digestion thanks to its proteolytic enzymes, but it should not be mixed with carbohydrates (bread, pasta, rice, etc.). It is the ideal dessert, before or after eating a vegetable, a salad, with a fish or meat.
- Kale: Helps to heal ulcers, but many people don’t digest it well if it’s too raw. The ideal is to eat it cooked with a pinch of cumin, or raw, macerated with a vinaigrette or as sauerkraut.
- Pepper : acts as a great gastric tonifier.
- Grape: it is one of the most alkaline fruits, but it must be organic, so that we do not consume pesticides and the like.
- Parsley : it is alkaline and very cleansing. Ideal to add to broths and soups, as well as to be eaten raw, in salads.
Even though these foods are especially recommended, some people do not tolerate them well. Thus, those who feel stomach acidity when consuming them, should eliminate them from their diet.
Potato, cabbage and carrot medicine
Another food-based remedy, great to alleviate acidity in crisis episodes, is to consume only three vegetables for three days: potatoes, cabbage and carrots.
For those who prefer, it is possible to add another vegetable to this diet, it is also advisable to consume apples in different ways: boiled, in the oven, raw or in a blender.
Potato juice and olive oil
In the past it was recommended to perform a novena (nine days) by drinking the juice of a quarter of a large, well-washed (approximately one-quarter cup) and peeled raw potato, mixed with two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
This anti-inflammatory and alkaline “juice” is very effective, in nine days you can see the improvement it provides.
Raw potato juice can be prepared by ourselves or purchased from a herbalist.
Clay water to reduce acidity
Another natural antacid that we can consume without negative side effects is white clay for oral use, sold in health food stores.
Just mix a teaspoon of clay in water and stir using a wooden spoon. After 10 minutes, stir again to mix and then drink.
bicarbonated water
A good way to eliminate the acidity of our body is drinking bicarbonated water and bathing in bicarbonated thermal waters.
Each region has a type of water with specific characteristics, so it is necessary to find out which ones are bicarbonate. Sea water is also alkalizing.
Images provided by tribp, Breville USA and Wally Hartshorn
