I wanted to know about some natural options related to acid or reflux problems. So, I proceeded to go on the Internet to do a study. I found that there are many natural remedies that have been shown to be effective in controlling acid reflux, but to my surprise, the overwhelming preference is to use apple cider vinegar.
My initial reaction was that this didn’t make much sense as a treatment solution. If vinegar is an acid, then how is that going to improve a problem called heartburn, and that stems from acid reflux as the cause? Isn’t the goal to get rid of acid, rather than increase it?
There are a variety of hypotheses as to why the acid in apple cider vinegar is the most effective natural remedy for acid reflux. The LES or lower esophageal sphincter, which is a valve at the entrance to your stomach that is designed to close and not allow acid to move into your esophagus, is actually sensitive to pH. So when it senses acid, it closes to protect the esophagus from acid reflux. It turns out that some people who have heartburn actually don’t have enough digestive acid rather than too much. So the extra acid in apple cider vinegar actually helps keep the LES closed.
Another point of view is based on the type of acid found within the stomach. Since stomach acid is hydrochloric acid and vinegar is acetic acid, which is a weaker acid, it is believed that the combination will reduce the total acidity. If this theory is correct, then your stomach can still digest what you’ve eaten, but it can do so without producing the excess acid that leads to acid reflux and heartburn.
Note: If you use apple cider vinegar as a natural treatment for acid reflux, it is recommended to combine 2-3 teaspoons in an 8-ounce glass of water and then drink it before meals or when you have heartburn problems.
Another natural remedy for acid reflux problems that has been recommended is baking soda; you can try using this by combining a tablespoon in a glass of water. Now this made sense. Considering that baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate, this could have a pH-balancing effect that could be helpful in helping to counteract the acid content within the stomach. However, what if the principle of using apple cider vinegar as a treatment solution is valid? So in the event that a person actually doesn’t have enough stomach acid rather than too much, then choosing to use baking soda would further reduce the acid.
Also note that baking soda is extremely high in sodium. As a result, this could very well become a problem with excessive use and/or prolonged use for someone with high blood pressure. If you’re going to use baking soda as a natural remedy for acid reflux, there are a couple of additional things to keep in mind: don’t drink the baking soda mixture until it’s completely dissolved, and don’t use this remedy in case that you are already too full to drink or eat.
There are a number of other natural treatments that can be tried, but apple cider vinegar and baking soda, or even a combination of these two seem to be the most beneficial. Just keep in mind that even though a natural remedy may not be a drug or medicine, it is still consumed internally. Therefore, it could have side effects or cause interaction problems with different medications that you are currently taking. So if you’re not going to see your doctor, at least see a pharmacist.
This wouldn’t be considered a natural remedy like apple cider vinegar or baking soda, but compared to those or prescription medications for managing acid reflux and heartburn issues, what could be more natural than changing your lifestyle for a remedy?
I am a chronic sufferer of acid reflux and heartburn. I have been taking Nexium for many years. And anyway, there were still days where I had to take turns along with it – I’ve chewed through so many turns that I’ve actually knocked out my teeth. In addition, I also allowed myself to be overweight, and not only was I eating too much, I was also eating too many acid reflux trigger foods. I’ve never had a drinking problem, but when we went out on the weekends, I’d have red wine. Alcohol is bad enough for acid reflux, but red wine is said to be one of the worst.
No, it was never my intention to get acid reflux disease on purpose. But is it any wonder that someone has acid reflux and heartburn problems with such a lifestyle, along with the other problems associated with being overweight and out of shape?
Then one day a couple of years ago I had horrible chest pain and had to go to the hospital in an ambulance. My claim to fame is that the ER doctor told me my heart rate of 203 was the highest he had ever seen in someone who was still conscious. He also told me he was obese, but I’m 6 feet tall and only 225 pounds, and next time there’s a good chance he won’t make it.
I have lost 50lbs, train almost every day and have for the last 2 years. I eat very ‘properly’, and I also try to avoid foods on the acid reflux ‘bad list’. And surprise surprise, now I hardly have any acid reflux issues.
So, if I were suggesting something that I would consider a natural treatment for acid reflux disease, it would have to start with making lifestyle changes and stopping the things you can control that contribute to acid reflux and heartburn problems. . .