Most of us have suffered from heartburn at some point or another, and it sometimes seems so common that there isn’t really any cure for it. Heartburn is unlikely to last more than a few hours, but if you experience recurring heartburn, you can start to feel like you are constantly suffering. If you want to try some natural ways of relieving heartburn, you can start by eating the right foods. Here are 10 of the best foods that you can try if you’re experiencing heartburn and want to get rid of it quickly.
Bananas
One of the most popular fruits on the planet, are good at relieving heartburn since they are so low in acidic properties. Banana can help to form a lining which prevents heartburn from getting worse, and over time can get rid of it completely. If you want it to work even quicker, mash a banana first until it’s a mushy paste and then either eat it on its own, or spread it on a light cracker or piece of toasted bread.
Milk
The first thing that people do when they have heartburn is reach for a glass of milk. This actually isn’t an “old wives’ tale,” as it can actually help to relieve the symptoms. Since milk is alkaline, it helps to counteract any acid which might be in your stomach and your esophagus and creating any problems for you. You don’t have to drink dairy milk either – you can opt for almond milk, coconut milk or even rice milk. For those who don’t like drinking milk on its own, blend it into a smoothie using banana, avocado or a small number of strawberries.
Green vegetables
The key to easing off your heartburn is to eat foods which are low in acid. The cause of heartburn is acidic foods, which is why you probably notice your heartburn comes on after eating certain foods, such as citrus fruits, fruit juices, or sugary foods. Broccoli, kale, carrots and asparagus are not only great foods to add into your diet anyway, but you can benefit from the alkaline properties which will help to balance out the acid in your stomach.
Oats
The amazing thing about oats is that you can eat them in many different ways. You can sprinkle them onto yogurt and fruit, or add them to milk to make a delicious porridge. Since milk is also a great way to get rid of heartburn, having a bowl of porridge could be exactly what you need. Avoid eating sugary foods which contain oats such as flapjacks, since these are much less effective at getting rid of your heartburn.
Aloe Vera
Among the many excellent properties in aloe vera, you can also use it to get rid of heartburn. While some people are hesitant to consume aloe vera since it is most commonly seen in creams and gels, you can actually consume aloe vera gel and other aloe products without harming your body. The best thing to do is look for the pure aloe vera – you can either drink small quantites of this or add it to a smoothie, cereal or other meals.
Licorice
Not everybody will agree that licorice helps to get rid of heartburn, but many people have found that it certainly relieves the symptoms. However, you must ensure that you eat pure licorice and not the licorice which can be found in candy shops since these are packed with
and aren’t great for you (and certainly won’t help with relieving your heartburn!). Pure licorice sticks themselves will help to get rid of heartburn, but you may also find that the chewing motion helps you to salivate more, and this in turn can help to kill your heartburn even quicker and more effectively.
Baking soda
This is definitely not the most tasty option on the list, but baking soda can quickly help to alleviate the suffering that you feel from heartburn within a matter of minutes. If you want to try this to help kill your heartburn, you should try a small amount at first and see how your body reacts to it. The reason baking soda is so effective at getting rid of heartburn, is because it contains properties which will rapidly balance out the pH levels in your stomach, getting rid of any acid which remains from the other foods you have eaten previously.
Ginger tea
If you’re a fan of herbal tea, you’ll be pleased to know that a warm cup of tea
could be the answer to getting rid of your heartburn. Ginger tea in particular is effective at shifting any heartburn symptoms you may have. You can either buy ginger tea bags from your local supermarket, or you can make your own green tea for a real home-made alternative and cure for heartburn. You can do this very easily by grating a small amount of ginger into a cup and then filling it with boiling water. Allow it to sit for a few minutes so that the water becomes infused with the ginger.
Chewing gum.
The reason why chewing gum is effective in getting rid of heartburn is because you salivate so much while chewing. It’s not necessarily the mint itself which will help to get rid of it, and in some ways, you may even find that mint makes your heartburn worse. However, the production of your alkaline saliva will get to wash away the acid in your stomach.
Vinegar
It may seem strange to suggest that vinegar will help with heartburn, but sometimes you might be experiencing issues because you don’t have enough acid in your stomach rather than that you have too much. It’s difficult to tell what is the cause of your heartburn sometimes, but you shouldn’t drink straight malt vinegar. Instead, mix 1-2 teaspoons of pure apple cider vinegar with some fresh cold water.
