With a busy professional life which involves targets and deadlines, the majority of us have become so busy that we sometimes skip eating or eat at irregular intervals. This situation is also associated with a lot of mental stress and very less physical activity. Many of us also resort to smoking and drinking. All these, over a period of time, show an adverse effect on the stomach and the way it functions. The situation initially starts with mild acidity which later becomes very wild leading to Severe acidity, Heartburn and Acid Reflux.
Acid reflux is a burning regurgitation of undigested food and bile juice up along the esophagus(1). It is a digestive disorder which is characterized by a burning sensation felt in the throat due to the upward movement of bile or stomach acid along the food pipe. It starts with hiccups and goes on to chest pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and burning sensation in the throat. The risk factors and causes associated with acid reflux include alcoholism, smoking, obesity, stress, unhealthy food habits, the presence of a hernia, and pregnancy.
Apple Cider Vinegar For Heartburn
- Soothes the burning sensation
- Helps in digestion
- Helps with metabolism
- Helps with digestive health
- Maintenance of pH balance
Read on to find out more about how to administer home remedies prepared by using apple cider vinegar for acid reflux.
Causes of acid reflux:
- Drinks like alcohol, carbonated beverages
- Spicy food
- Stress
- Obesity
- Smoking
- A hiatal hernia – a stomach abnormality
- Foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolates, spicy food
- Pregnancy
Symptoms of acid reflux:
- Burning pain in the chest
- Burning sensation in the throat
- Bloated feeling
- Bad breath
- Hiccups
If you are showing the above symptoms, no need to panic. Try apple cider vinegar for acid reflux control.
What is apple cider vinegar (ACV)?
Apple cider vinegar is prepared by the fermentation of apple juice by adding yeast and bacteria that convert the juice into alcohol which is further fermented to obtain vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is rich in malic acid and acetic acid which give the vinegar its distinct sour flavor. ACV’s presence in the kitchen of every household speaks volume about the wonder drug. Since ages, it is in use for cooking as well as for treating many common ailments.
[Also Read: Natural Remedies to Treat Heartburn]
Why should you use apple cider vinegar for acid reflux?
It is of utmost importance to make use of raw, unpasteurized, and unfiltered apple cider vinegar for the preparation of home remedies for acid reflux. This is because raw and pure apple cider vinegar is rich in proteins, pectin, and a host of essential enzymes and vitamins.
Acid reflux is caused due to the inadequacy of digestive juices and acid in the stomach which prevents proper digestion of food. The consumption of ACV increases the level of acidic content and thereby helps with healthy digestion. The health benefits of apple cider vinegar for acid reflux are as follows:
1. Soothes the burning sensation of acid reflux
The consumption of apple cider vinegar aids in the prevention of the movement of stomach acid upward along the food pipe or esophagus. It helps to soothe the irritation of the esophagus and calm the burning sensation in the abdomen by restoring the healthy pH balance of the stomach.
2. Helps in digestion
The acetic acid content of apple cider vinegar aids in maintaining an adequate level of acidity in the stomach and esophagus and thereby contributes to the healthy disintegration and digestion of the ingested food.
[Read: Home Remedies for Heartburn]
3. Helps with metabolism
Apple cider vinegar is richly packed with essential nutrients and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and more. These minerals accelerate the absorption of nutrients from the digested food and aid in speeding up the rate of metabolism thereby promoting healthy weight loss and curing obesity.
4. Helps with digestive health
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid that helps in fighting against bacteria and other toxic foreign invaders that wreak damage upon the healthy physiological systems of the body. This helps in healthy digestion of the food and enhances the health and functioning of the gastrointestinal system.
5. Helps with the maintenance of pH balance
ACV consists of a variety of vitamins and minerals that aid in the development of a sound alkaline environment in the digestive tract. This alkalinity aids in the neutralization of the acidic environment of the stomach. Drinking ACV helps in the inhibition of bacterial action in the stomach and thereby makes the gut healthy and accelerates the process of digestion.
Top 3 marvelous DIY Recipes That Will Help You Treat Acid Recflux
1. Honey and pure Apple cider vinegar
The consumption of the concoction of honey and ACV is an effective way of using apple cider vinegar for acid reflux.
How to use?
- Add 2 tablespoons of organic honey to 2-3 tablespoons of raw and pure ACV to make a paste
- Add a teaspoon of water to the mixture but make sure that the paste does not become too runny
- Eat the mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar for acid reflux management.
- Follow the home remedy twice a day on a daily basis for the natural treatment of acid reflux
Benefits of using honey with raw and pure apple cider vinegar for acid reflux
The combination of organic honey and pure ACV is an excellent solution to fight acid reflux. The blend contains a high amount of potassium which aids in the neutralization of the acids and digestive juices secreted in excess inside the stomach. The honey helps in soothing the burning sensation of acid reflux and curing the inflammation of the food pipe caused as a result of the corrosive effects of stomach acids and bile juice flowing up along the pipe during acid reflux.
[Read: Benefits of Honey]
Precaution
Make sure that your digestive tract is not allergic to ACV and do not consume the vinegar in excess.
2. Baking soda and Unfiltered apple cider vinegar
Drinking the mixture of baking soda and ACV is a wonderful way of using apple cider vinegar for acid reflux.
How to use?
- Add 1/4th teaspoon of baking soda powder to 2-3 tablespoons of unfiltered apple cider vinegar to make a solution
- Add the solution to a glass of lukewarm water with gentle stirring
- Drink the solution of baking soda and apple cider vinegar for acid reflux cure on an empty stomach every morning
- Follow this on a daily basis for the natural cure of acid reflux
Benefits of using baking soda and unfiltered apple cider vinegar for acid reflux
The combination of finely powdered baking soda and unfiltered ACV is an effective remedy to treat acid reflux. The blend acts as an effective antacid agent to neutralize the corrosive nature of bile juice and digestive acids. The baking soda aids in the neutralization of acidic nature of apple cider vinegar as well and thereby prevent it from corroding the enamel of the teeth.
Precaution
Make sure that your digestive tract is not allergic to ACV and do not consume the vinegar in excess.
3. Water and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
Drinking a lukewarm solution of water and ACV is a simple way to use apple cider vinegar for acid reflux.
How to use?
- Add a tablespoon of unpasteurized ACV to a glass of lukewarm water with gentle stirring to prepare a solution
- Drink the solution of apple cider vinegar for acid reflux treatment before a heavy meal
- Do this on a regular basis as a natural cure of the symptoms of acid reflux
Benefits of using water and apple cider vinegar for acid reflux
Most of the people recommend this mixing of water with apple cider vinegar for acid reflux. The solution provides instant relief from burning sensation and everyday consumption can prevent heartburn.
Precaution
Make sure that your digestive tract is not allergic to ACV and do not consume the vinegar in excess.
[Read: Health Benefits of ACV]
Side Effects
Some of the side effects or effects of an overdose of ACV include
- Nausea, bloating, and cramps in the abdomen
- Indigestion and acidity
- Osteoporosis due to lowering of mineral absorption from the food
- Erosion of the enamel of the teeth due to the acidic nature of ACV
- Burning sensation in the throat
- Interactions with certain medication
- Interference with pregnancy
Bottom Line
Acid reflux has become very common in people of all ages. To prevent it, you have to make simple changes to your lifestyle. Inculcate healthy habits like exercising regularly, eating healthy food, shunning junk food, relaxing, etc. to stay away from acid reflux and other digestive disorders. In case, you experience acid reflux, follow through with the home remedies prepared by using apple cider vinegar for acid reflux treatment. The remedies are simple yet powerfully effective. If the symptoms of acid reflux persist for a long time, then seek the help of a physician for immediate medical treatment.
[Read: Essential Oils for Heartburn]
