Gastric acid is the acid in the stomach. It is important for digestion and to prevent bacterial growth. Usually there is a protective mechanism to ensure the acid level is balanced. However excessive gastric acid could lead to heartburn, indigestion, fullness, bloating, flatulence, nausea, peptic ulcer, and cancer.
Excessive production of gastric acid could be caused by:
To manage gastric problems using natural methods, you should consider the foods to avoid as well as natural remedies to prevent gastritis from occurring.
Foods to avoid
1) Fried Food
Fried foods are high in trans fat and they wreak havoc on the digestive system. They are heavy and slow down the overall digestive process causing excessive acid production. The fried food remains stuck in the digestive tract slowing down the digestion. This causes excessive gastric acid to be produced.
2) Processed Food
Processed foods are high in refined sugar, flour, preservatives and additives. These are acid generating foods, which increases the level of acid in the body.
3) Carbonated drinks
Gas from such drinks increase the pressure in the stomach, which increases the risk of acid reflux and heart burn. Try not to take such drinks before going to bed.
4) Alcohol
Alcohol dehydrate the body and triggers the production of acid in the stomach.
5) Meat
Meat is one of the most difficult foods for the stomach to digest. The high amount of saturated fat in meat requires more acid for digestion. You should limit meat to only 2-3 times a week. Better still get your protein from grains, raw fruits and vegetables instead.
Natural remedies to manage gastric problems:
1) Change diet
Eat more fresh organic fruits and vegetables. They are rich in antioxidants, which support the body to resist and heal diseases and infection. They are also high in fiber, which expedite the recovery from stomach ulcer as well as reduce the risk of developing one.
Raw fruits and vegetables provide digestive enzymes to the digestive system helping the stomach in digestion and reduce the need to produce more acid.
2) Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar calms the stomach and helps with digestion and helps to reduce acid reflux. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, which promote an alkaline environment in the body.
3) Aloe Vera
Out of the 100 nutrients in aloe vera, 76 are responsible for helping with the digestive system. It is anti-inflammatory, calming and soothing to the stomach and intestine.
4) Herbs
Rather than using chemical drugs, natural herbs are good remedies. Peppermint calms the stomach. Licorice helps coat the stomach with a protective gel and prevent the attack from gastric acid.
5) Rice
Although all whole grains provide a rich amount of nutrients and fiber, rice is the only grain that does not stimulate gas production. If you experience bloating, gas and gas pain, I would recommend that you replace your grains with brown rice, basmati rice or wild rice.
6) Soy products
Many people are lactose intolerance (lacking in an enzyme to digest lactose, which is a sugar in cow’s milk). Soy based milk is a good alternative. Soy protein is a complete protein containing all the essential amino acids that the body requires.
Finally, I would recommend that you cleanse your digestive system and undergo a liver detox. Cleansing the digestive system will reduce the bad bacteria and liver detox reduces the toxin load on the liver. These two processes will reduce the stress level on the body.
Do you have gastric problems? Share with me how do you manage them in the comment box below
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