We all know acid reflux is a fairly common condition, but what is it exactly?
Let’s take a look at why it happens.
Your stomach produces an acid for the purpose of breaking down the food that you consume. In some cases, that acid will find its way back up through your food pipe where it then comes into contact with the lining in your esophagus and you’re hit with some unpleasant symptoms.
This is where acid reflux kicks in.
Acid reflux sufferers are affected by a number of uncomfortable symptoms. Typically, these symptoms are nothing too serious but will be more so along the lines of discomfort, in the form of acid indigestion or heartburn. Heartburn is a burning pain in the lower chest area.
You may notice that the terms acid reflux and GER are sometimes used interchangeably. Doctors generally will use Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) to refer to acid reflux, acid indigestion, heartburn, and acid regurgitation.
But there is good news.
Instead of relying on prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications which may produce harmful side effects, there’s actually a number of natural remedies that can reduce the symptoms of acid reflux!
These natural solutions are fairly simple but do require making some changes to your lifestyle.
Lifestyle changes to reduce acid reflux symptoms include incorporating a plant-based diet, drinking alkaline water, and eliminating any triggers for your condition.
Making these changes to your lifestyle will not only help diminish symptoms of acid reflux, but you’ll benefit from the ongoing rewards that come from living a healthier lifestyle!
What Is Alkaline Water?
Based on their pH level, foods and beverages are classified into 3 categories: acidic, neutral, and alkaline. Ranging from 1 to 14, the pH scale is used to indicate whether something is highly acidic (pH of 1) or alkaline (pH level 14).
But, how does the pH level of water relate to acid reflux?
Not only do foods and beverages have a pH level, but our bodies do too. A diet full of acidic foods will affect our body’s pH level and can trigger the onset of acid reflux. By incorporating a diet rich in alkaline foods and drinking alkaline water, you can effectively manage the acidity in your stomach.
Research suggests that symptoms of acid reflux can be effectively managed by incorporating a plant-based diet and alkaline water into your lifestyle.
What Is the pH of Water?
Alkaline water has a higher pH level than pure water. According to Healthline, pure water is considered neutral because it has a pH level of 7, while alkaline water has a pH level of 8 or higher.
It’s fairly simple to make your own alkaline water. There are a number of products on the market that are designed for health conscious people and will allow you to make alkaline water on-the-go! A DYLN Bottle is an easy way to create alkaline water whenever you need it.
Which Foods Are Considered Acidic, Neutral, or Alkaline?
Truthfully, acidic foods are hard to avoid because they’re everywhere! The list includes: dairy, eggs, grains, meat, and alcohol.
Sugar, starch, and natural fat are products that are considered neutral.
Last but not least, nuts, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and all that fun stuff are alkaline!
Treatment Options for Acid Reflux
Depending on the severity on your condition, there are a number of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicine that are used to treat acid reflux. Ultimately, medications will only offer short-term relief and in some cases, they may come with nasty side effects.
The Guardian states that researchers have found a link between a drug prescribed to treat acid reflux with a heightened risk of developing stomach cancer. According to researchers, long-term use of Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) increased the chance of developing stomach cancer by 2.4 times!
That’s not all.
According to Inquisitr, Stanford University released a study indicating a potential link between heartburn medications and a greater risk of heart attack. More specifically, those that use medication to reduce stomach acid are at a greater risk by 16% to 21% in suffering from a heart attack.
Scary stuff.
You definitely don’t want to jeopardize your overall health over mild symptoms of acid reflux that can been treated naturally. If your condition is mild and you really don’t want to rely on medications, consider adopting a healthier lifestyle.
By incorporating a plant-based diet, drinking alkaline water, and cutting out some bad habits (we’ll get to it), the rewards are plentiful to your overall health and quality of life.
What Is the Difference Between Acid Reflux and GERD?
Acid reflux or GER is quite common, but the condition is more serious for some people. If symptoms of acid reflux occur on a regular basis (more than twice a week), then it could be a chronic form of the condition, known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 20% of the U.S. population is affected by Gastroesophageal reflux disease. There can be serious health implications down the road for those with GERD, so it’s a good idea to consult with a health professional if symptoms of acid reflux seem to be more serious and long-lasting.
How to Take a Natural Approach in Reducing the Symptoms of Acid Reflux?
1. Diet and Nutrition
Don’t underestimate the correlation between acid reflux and what you eat. Figure out which foods tend to trigger the onset of your symptoms!
Here is a list of foods that you SHOULD incorporate into your diet:
- Apples
- Almonds
- Bananas
- Carrots
- Oranges
- Raw Broccoli
2. Alkaline Water
Now that you are familiar with the pH scale, it’s only logical to recognize the sense in trading in a highly acidic diet for an alkaline diet. A combination of a plant-based diet and drinking alkaline water is an effective way to manage acid reflux.
In a study by RefluxMD, it is suggested alkaline water did in fact provide relief from heartburn to participants of their study.
3. Getting Rid of Bad Habits
To diminish symptoms of acid reflux, doctors recommend making these lifestyle changes:
- Quit smoking
- Stop overeating
- Eliminate spicy or greasy foods from your diet
- No alcohol
- Losing weight (if you’re overweight)
Don’t Let Acid Reflux Affect Your Quality of Life!
Symptoms of acid reflux are quite unpleasant, but don’t let this condition affect the quality of your life. There are very simple and natural solutions for you to reduce your symptoms.
Aside from providing you with relief from these symptoms, this also gives you an opportunity to live a healthier lifestyle.
It’s the ultimate win-win situation.
By making healthier lifestyle choices and eliminating bad habits, the rewards will be ongoing.
Don’t know where to begin?
First, pay attention to which foods or beverages seem to aggravate your condition.
Now, here’s the fun part. Look up some yummy recipes for a plant-based diet and look into how you can make your own alkaline water!
For an easy way to make your own alkaline water, check out the DYLN Bottle.
