subject: Home Remedy for Reflux and Other Heartburn Tips [print this page] Home Remedy for Reflux and Other Heartburn Tips
A natural home remedy for reflux is choosing the food that you eat and how much food you eat at a time. Below are some foods to avoid and what foods are safe:
Avoid: Spicy Foods
If you love spicy foods and have heartburn, that might be causing it. Spicy foods like food with lots of pepper and hot sauces can trigger heartburn. Sometimes, even if the spice isn't hot, it still can trigger heartburn. Peppermint isn't hot but it can relax the lower esophageal sphincter which is the start of heartburn. Garlic and onions are also known to start heartburn.
It doesn't mean that you can't even taste your favorite hot sauces of spicy foods just because you have heartburn. For instance, you don't have to drown your barbecue in very hot sauce or maybe you can also lower down your chili just a little. Easing up a little on spices can make real differences. Be creative and find other ways to add flavor to your foods.
Food Journal
There's what we call as individuality and even in heartburn, there are different triggers for everyone. Your trigger might not be one for others. For example, if your officemate can handle a lot of coffee and some spicy foods doesn't mean that you can, too. You have to discover what your triggers are and writing down on a food journal can help you change those food habits you need to change. One effective home remedy for reflux is to log all the food that you have eaten everyday and keep track of your triggers.
Tip: Chewing Gum
Chewing gum is said to generate saliva in the mouth, which neutralizes acid and allows the stomach to move the food into the small intestine faster. This means that it prevents heartburn from happening. Pick a gum flavor that's not mint because mint can relax your lower esophageal sphincter.
More Tips
Another home remedy for reflux is to not lie down immediately after a meal. Place 3 hours between dinner and bedtime. Try your best to have a healthier lifestyle since smoking and obesity are also related to heartburn. Rare heartburn attacks are common but if you are experiencing frequent heartburn, consult a doctor about it.
