Good health starts with the guts and one of the key factors, which can affect this is acid reflux.
Urban lifestyles and diets have led to an increasing number of cases of acid reflux, which is difficult to digest and can cause overall health problems such as heart disease and even cancer.
Acid reflux occurs when the food you eat has a reverse flow, moving from the stomach back to the esophagus. However, there are some foods that reduce acid reflux. Here they are:
Ginger
It is one of the world's oldest means of treating acid reflux, used in various cultures and traditional medicines for more than 2, 000 years. It is the rhizome or root of ginger that contains these powerful benefits. You can either suck on a piece of candied ginger, make a ginger infusion by boiling a little dried ginger powder or freshly grated with water, or even add it to your food. Ginger should be consumed in moderation if you are pregnant or prone to low blood pressure. The ideal amount for consumption is about 1 g of ginger per day.
Lemon
Lemon is a regulator of acidity, balances the body's pH levels. Neutralizing acids create bicarbonates in the stomach and can effectively treat acid reflux. There are several ways to use lemon for this purpose. Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle a little rock salt on the surface (unless you have high blood pressure, in which case you should avoid salt) and suck the lemon. This gives instant relief. You can also mix lemon juice in a glass of water or soda and drink it. While lemon is the most commonly used, other citrus fruit such as grapefruit, oranges and even kiwis are equally effective.
Proteins
Vitamin B6 helps our body metabolize certain amino acids, which in turn reduces acid reflux. Among foods rich in vitamin B6, egg whites are at the top of the list. Other foods you can include are beans, peas, beets, cottage cheese, bananas and fish. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet will help a lot to reduce acid reflux.
Honey
Honey is one of the richest in nature antibacterial and antifungal substances, which acts on the gastrointestinal system, by killing bacteria - partially, because it has such a long shelf life. It protects against stomach ailments such as ulcers and also helps to treat acid reflux.
