Stomach acid can cause pain and discomfort in many. The list of foods that contribute to stomach acid is well known. The list of foods that can help to decrease stomach acid is not as well known. While those who have stomach acid issues may need to seek out medical help, tailoring your diet to avoid foods that increase acid and include foods that decrease it could soften the effects.
Identification
Stomach acids occur in the stomach naturally to help digest the food. These acids are hydrochloric acid and pepsin. The issues with stomach acid occur when there is too much of these acids in the stomach. According to Nutritional Wellness, the stomach is attempting to "overcompensate for (a) lack of enzymes in the food" that is eaten. This causes the stomach to create too much acid.
Medical Issues
Multiple medical issues can arise from a high amount of stomach acid, highlighting the importance of foods that decrease stomach acid. Acid reflux is the most well-known issue that results from excess stomach acid. Acid reflux is a condition in which the acid kicks back up into the esophagus. Some of the symptoms of acid reflex include heartburn, nausea, and a sore throat. If untreated, acid reflux and causes problems with the esophagus lining, ulcers, and hoarseness.
Things to Avoid
According to Health Castle, to decrease your stomach acid issues you should eat smaller, more frequent meals. Having large portions of food at one time causes the stomach to do more work at once. This can cause a rise in stomach acid. Avoid foods high in fats. Specifically, avoid fast food meals, because they take longer to digest, which means the stomach produces more acid. To reduce your level of stomach acid, avoid alcohol consumption. Health Castle mentions that beer is the worst alcohol to have when trying to avoid stomach acid issues.
Foods to Eat
Many vegetables and fruits are considered good for alkalinizing your system. This includes leafy greens, including parsley, lettuce, carrots, grapes, pears and apples. Other foods known for increasing alkalinity include watermelon, spinach, potatoes, figs, and bananas. According to Health Castle, you should add complex carbohydrates to your diet. Rice, whole grain breads, and pasta can help to absorb the stomach acid, alleviating some issues and acid levels.
Alternative Actions
You can take medication known as antacids to solve the feeling of heartburn. These are generally calcium tablets that aim to calm the acid with a base. More serious medications block the histamine in the body. According to Patient Health Center, this helps to block acid production.
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