These Foods May Help Acid Reflux And Heartburn

According to the Tampa Bay Reflux Center, 10% of Americans experience heartburn daily, 20 to 30% experience it weekly, and nearly everyone will experience heartburn at some point in their lives. Yikes! Even worse, those odds often increase over the holiday season, when most people tend to overindulge in fatty foods and alcohol, which are all common triggers of heartburn (via WebMD).

Heartburn, which is a symptom of acid reflux, occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing a burning pain in the chest region and a "bitter or acidic taste in the mouth," explains Mayo Clinic. Many people reach for antacids or medications such as proton pump inhibitors (which control how much acid your stomach produces) to help manage their heartburn, though their continued usage can carry certain health risks, warns Choosing Wisely. Luckily, there are certain foods that may actually help with acid reflux and heartburn. Just as some foods are triggers, other foods may help prevent acid reflux altogether, or help mitigate the impacts of heartburn once it starts (via HuffPost).

One way to prevent acid reflux is by using food to manage or offset the amount of acid in your stomach. Try filling up on whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice or most root vegetables and green vegetables — the fiber in these foods helps absorb stomach acid, explains Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio. According to Hopkins Medicine, alkaline foods that are low in acid like bananas, melons, and fennel can also offset stomach acids, while watery foods like watermelon, cucumber, and lettuce can help "dilute and weaken stomach acids."

There are also a few all-natural ingredients you can reach for once the heartburn starts: low-fat milk and low-fat yogurt, which will help offset stomach acids while also relieving the symptoms of heartburn at the same time; ginger or chamomile tea, which will help soothe an upset stomach, help with digestion, and dull the burning sensation from the acid; and aloe vera, which will help soothe the heartburn when taken internally much as it does the heat from a sunburn when used externally (via HuffPost).