Acid reflux is a very serious condition, one that is typically more dangerous than even the patient understands. Most who have this condition know that it’s painful and can interfere with eating and digesting, but few realize how it can lead to ulcers and abrasions in the esophagus; these can cause internal bleeding, difficulty in eating and swallowing, and in some extreme cases, even cancer of the esophagus. If you have acid reflux you may have tried many medications to no avail and may be wondering if there is some natural cure that will work and that won’t have all the side effects of those harsh antacids and other prescriptions.
There are some natural things you can do to help treat and even cure your acid reflux. For many people just making a few changes in the diet and in your lifestyle can help tremendously. Avoiding foods that are high in acid content, such as red meat, alcohol, fried foods, and citrus fruits, and propping yourself up at night when you go to sleep can cut down on many cases. But sometimes even making these changes isn’t quite enough and you need to do something a bit more proactive to address your acid reflux.
Believe it or not, drinking plenty of water is one good way to address your acid reflux. The water will help to dilute the acid in your stomach and will also help with digestion. Sometimes it’s not just what we eat but how much we’ve eaten that causes our flare-ups. When the stomach is overly full the contents, including the stomach acid, have no place else to go but back up the esophagus. Water helps us to feel full so we won’t eat as much and helps the food to break down quicker so it can move through the digestive system quicker. Also, many wonder if honey is a cure or treatment for acid reflux and the good news is that many sufferers report that it may very well be. Honey is very thick and has a tendency to coat the stomach and digestive system overall. Not only will it quell acid flare-ups it can also help with digestive disorders as well. Honey seems to help food to break down and coats the small and large intestine, which means that digested food moves through quicker and easier.
If you have a hard time just eating plain honey on a spoon to treat your acid reflux think of ways you can incorporate it into your diet every day in small ways. Use it in tea rather than sugar. Put some on your toast in the morning. Add it to a peanut butter sandwich instead of jelly. Drizzle some on a muffin for a midday snack. And whatever you do, pay attention to whether or not it seems to be helping with your acid reflux; every person’s system is different so what works for one person might not work for you. On the other hand, if it does give you a measure of relief, then enjoy it!
Nazima Golamaully
