We all might have felt heartburn, irritation in the gut, stomach aches, or nausea. In many cases, acidity is the reason behind them. We might have also tried different acidity ayurvedic medicines, syrups, and antacids to reduce the impact caused by acidity.
Acidity is the excess production of acids in the stomach. Besides these symptoms, acidity causes damage to the inner lining of the stomach and esophagus, which might lead to the formation of ulcers. It also leads to indigestion and other gastrointestinal problems.
Simple changes in our diet, sleeping habits, and daily routine can prevent acidity and improve the health of our digestive system.
● Sleeping habits:
Always try to sleep on your left. Studies show that sleeping on your right increases the risk of heartburns and acid reflux. While sleeping on your left prevents heartburns and does not allow the acid from the stomach to enter the esophagus. It is also proven that this position makes you feel comfortable and fall asleep faster.
Try eating three hours before going to bed. Taking meals close to bedtime increases the risk of acid reflux. Though this differs from person to person, it is recommended that you eat 3 hours before sleep for better digestion.
● Proper chewing of food:
For good digestion, thorough chewing of food before swallowing is important. Chewing breaks down big chunks of food into smaller and simpler pieces. These smaller parts can easily travel through the esophagus. It also simplifies the process of digestion and promotes better absorption of essential nutrients. It promotes faster digestion. Proper chewing of food is necessary to prevent indigestion and acidity.
● Exercise:
Regular exercise stimulates overall body health. Lack of exercise adds extra fats to the body, especially in the abdominal area. These excess fats push the acid into the esophagus from the stomach. This leads to frequent heartburn and gut irritation. Regular exercise is the only way to prevent acidity.
● Intake of water:
Water has a neutral pH. It helps in neutralizing the acidic nature of the stomach. Drinking water at regular intervals stimulates digestion, preventing indigestion. It also helps in flushing out excess digestive secretions and other toxins. Drinking water is essential for the proper functioning of the digestive system and overall health, too.
● Eating habits:
Heavy meals often lead to acidity. When the stomach is very full, the digestion process becomes difficult. The secreted acid also has a chance of entering into the esophagus, which causes acid reflux and heartburns. Also, taking long gaps between meals or skipping meals leads to acidity. This is because our stomach releases acids regularly irrespective of our food consumption. Food stays in the stomach. As its function of digesting the food is not done, it starts to corrode the mucus lining on the walls of the stomach. It is suggested to eat in small portions at regular intervals. This results in faster digestion and prevents acidity.
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● Avoid tight trousers:
Tight trousers, denim, or skirts apply undue pressure on the stomach. It makes the process of digestion tedious. This also increases the chance of acidity and acid reflux. To prevent acidity and other gastrointestinal discomforts, it is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes.
● Quit smoking:
Smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products worsen acidity. Tobacco contains nicotine, which weakens the valves near the stomach. This gives a greater chance for acid in the stomach to enter the esophagus, leading to heartburns and acid reflux. It is one of the several reasons to quit smoking.
● Limit alcohol:
Alcohol causes heartburn and irritation in the gut. Drinking alcohol regularly increases the risk of acidity. Consumption of beer and wine causes acidity and other gastrointestinal irritations in healthy humans too. It is advisable to reduce alcohol consumption as much as possible.
● Cut caffeine:
Caffeine found in coffee leads to acidity. It worsens the acid reflux and irritation of the gut if consumed when you have acidic troubles. It also leads to slower recovery from acidity. It is advised to drink less coffee to avoid such troubles. Also, it is better for people with frequent acid refluxes to quit coffee and other caffeine-related products.
These simple changes in our lifestyle and dietary habits can reduce the risk of acidity. Though there are many acidity ayurvedic medicines and other artificial medications, it is always suggested to make some changes in the diet and lifestyle to prevent it. A healthy lifestyle is beneficial for the digestive system and overall health.
