Acid reflux is a medical condition in which there is a burning sensation in the lower chest area. This pain is also referred to as heartburn, and is a symptom of acidity or GERD. According to the American Colleges of Gastroenterology, around 15 million Americans experience heartburn daily. If the sensation is chronic, it can be an underlying symptom of serious conditions or even lead to severe health issues.

Lifestyle changes that help with heartburn
It is best to prevent heartburn and certain changes in lifestyle can aid one in doing so. Some of these effective natural remedies for acid reflux are as follows.

1.  Avoid alcohol and tobacco

2. Avoid food that can trigger heartburn. Examples of such foods are fatty food items and fried items.

3.  Skip eating late at night. It is advisable to have a meal at least two to three hours before sleeping.

4.  Looser clothing will help in reducing heartburn and not put pressure on the digestive system, which tight clothes bring about.

5. Excess weight should be reduced to decrease weight on the system.

6. Eating habits should be changed positively. Distractions should be avoided during eating and each bite should be chewed properly for proper digestion. Additionally, it is better to have smaller meals throughout the day than to have a large meal just twice.

7. Reduce the intake of caffeinated drinks.

8. Reduce consumption of sodas.

Additional effective natural remedies for acid reflux
Aside from lifestyle changes, there are several other natural remedies and treatments you can opt for to cure the condition.

1. Baking soda
Have a solution of a teaspoon of baking soda with water. This has the ability to reduce the acid in the body as it neutralizes it.

2. Aloe vera juice
The gel of the aloe vera plant has many medicinal benefits. If consumed, it can reduce heartburn to a large extent. Alternatively, you can opt for any of the many aloe vera juices available in the market.

3. Bananas
Since bananas are alkaline, they also counter the stomach acid and don’t worsen heartburn. Additionally, they are said to be easy on the digestive tract.

4. Probiotics
Probiotics are used as a treatment in many gastrointestinal issues, including acid reflux and heartburn.

5. Apple cider vinegar
Having a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with water helps in reducing acid reflux. It is crucial to never take the apple cider vinegar undiluted.

6. Chewing gum
It has been seen that chewing gum for around half an hour after a meal helps to reduce the acid levels and hence reduces heartburn.

7. Peppermint
Peppermint is an effective natural remedy for acid reflux for many, but it doesn’t work quite as well in some others. So, you can try it to check whether it suits one or not.

A few other ways to naturally eliminate acid reflux include sleeping on the left side, as research conducted has shown that sleeping on the right side does increase its occurrence. You must also keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. This will help a great deal.

Acid reflux during pregnancy
It is quite common for women to feel heartburn during pregnancy. Statistics reveal that around 30% to 50% of women face the condition in the United States. Hence, in pregnancy, it is all the more vital to follow these effective natural remedies for acid reflux.