Causes of heartburn and foods that relieve symptoms
Heartburn is the result of sudden pain in the chest slightly behind the breastbone. This condition is commonly observed in people, but its occurrence is not frequent. However, heartburn can become frequent and interfere with daily routines as well as aggravate other severe health conditions. Herein, we discuss the various factors that cause such a bad turn and which foods can be taken to manage heartburn symptoms and cope with the condition better.
Some of the biggest causes of heartburn are,
Tobacco
This product is the root cause of several health conditions. Smoking or chewing the nicotine out of tobacco relaxes the valve between the esophagus and stomach. Subsequently, stomach acid jumps back up into the esophagus and cause heartburn.
Overeating
Too much food in the stomach can cause it to stay distended, eventually forcing the esophageal sphincter (LES) to remain open. If the LES stays this way, the rise of undigested food and stomach juices back into the esophagus causes heartburn.
Medications
Sometimes, prescription and over-the-counter medications used for treating asthma, heart problems, and inflammation have side effects that may cause heartburn.
Other than what we’ve listed above, factors like obesity, hiatal hernia, and bad eating habits play a major role as far as the causes of heartburn are concerned.
While medications are commonly used to treat heartburn, you can manage the condition by eliminating foods that are bad for you and including these ones:
Whole grains
The abundance of fibers, vitamin B, iron, folate, and selenium makes whole grains one of the healthiest foods. Whole grains also contain healthy nutrients like potassium and magnesium. A few sources of whole grains include popcorn, quinoa, whole oats, and brown rice. These foods are known to absorb stomach acids and reduce heartburn.
Banana
This fruit is extremely low in acidic content and is known to ease the effects of any potential acid reflux. Bananas are also rich in fibers, which can help make your digestive system healthier and avoid any indigestion. Other fruits that help fight heartburn include melons, coconuts, and papayas.
Ginger
Ginger has been used for the treatment of several health conditions over many years. This root has anti-inflammatory and medicinal properties that ease digestion for those suffering for heartburn. Alkaline properties in ginger are great for addressing any uneasiness in the gastrointestinal tract and reducing heartburn.
Yogurt
Live micro-organisms present in yogurt are known to regulate good bacteria levels in the body. Yogurt also infuses healthy microbes into the digestive gut. Such beneficial properties make yogurt super-essential when it comes to soothing any heartburn and keeping the digestive system healthy.
Olive oil
These oils contain healthy fats that are known to complement your health. Using olive oil instead other conventional cooking types can significantly help improve any symptoms of heartburn. Olive oil also reduces bad cholesterol in the body and improves heart and brain health.
You can also try foods like nuts, seeds, and legumes to reduce the symptoms of heartburn.