How Superfoods Can Help Heartburn & Acid Reflux

Chronic heartburn and acid indigestion can leave sufferers constantly in fear of their next attack. These conditions can turn a joyful activity, such as eating, into a paranoid one. There are many reasons for these conditions, ranging from bad food choices to overeating to serious medical conditions. Although the life-giving and usually enjoyable activity of eating is sullied by these symptoms, they can be lessened and relieved by smart food choices.

Many foods are known to cause heartburn and indigestion by affecting the muscles where the stomach meets the esophagus enabling digestive acids can rise above normal levels. Common culprits of this symptom are fried, fatty, and citrus foods like grapefruits, tomatoes, and oranges. In addition to these are spicy foods like those with chili powder, black pepper, fresh peppers, raw onions, garlic, and alcohol. Symptoms can also be caused by anything with caffeine like tea, soda, or coffee.

Part of avoiding and minimizing acid reflux is maintaining healthy digestion on a regular basis. Fluids are very important to the digestion process because they help further break down food and aid in absorption of vitamins and minerals. Herbal chamomile tea is a good liquid to drink in the evening because it is believed to relax the stomach before the troubling task (to acid reflux sufferers) of lying down to sleep. However, it is a good idea not to lie down immediately after eating anything. Being conscious not only of what is eaten, but how it is eaten, can help with these problems as well. Sitting down and relaxing in a quiet place to eat smaller and more frequent meals is shown to reduce instances of indigestion and heartburn.

Make sure to get more fiber by eating whole grains, non-citrus fruits, and plenty of vegetables. Apples and grapes are great choices for fiber that contain little sodium, cholesterol or saturated fat, but contribute healthy vitamin C.