Heartburn Helping Secrets

Summer may be over, but here in Florida, it’s like an endless summer.

Just different degrees of hot. 

And no matter what the season, I’m always manning the grill. 

At least twice a week, I cook outside. Chicken, beef, fish. All kinds of veggies. 

And even fruits like peaches take on a whole new flavor after a few minutes over a hot flame. 

There’s just something about a barbecue that makes food taste so much better.

That is, unless the food gives you heartburn.

Because nothing can ruin a good meal more than that fiery feeling in your chest or throat.

But why does it happen? And what can you do about it – naturally?

Heartburn strikes when the contents of your stomach – including stomach acid – rise up into your esophagus.

Once something’s inside, up is NOT the direction you want things moving.

The result can be really uncomfortable. It can last for hours. And it can have you avoiding certain foods if you think they’ll be triggers. 

That’s no way to live. 

But thankfully, there are some easy ways to relieve heartburn quickly and naturally.

And it starts with not what you’re eating. But what you’re wearing. 

If your clothes are too tight, they can compress your stomach, sending your food up towards your mouth.

So if things are a little snug (be honest) and you feel heartburn coming on, loosen your belt or unzip your pants if they’re too tight and putting too much pressure on your stomach.

People often blame certain foods for heartburn. And that can be true. But when you eat or what you do afterwards can also be to blame. 

Try to avoid eating less than 3 hours before bedtime because laying down can trigger heartburn.

You see, when you lay down, pressure is placed on your lower esophageal sphincter. 

That’s a problem. Because this ring of muscle helps stop stomach acid from rising into your esophagus.

The pressure of lying down weakens it, and more acid is allowed to flow up.

Some water mixed with a teaspoon of baking soda can also help calm symptoms.

Baking soda is alkaline, so it can help neutralize stomach acid and ease some of the pain.

Some research also shows chewing gum after meals can ease heartburn discomfort.

That’s because chewing gum stimulates your body to start producing saliva.

And swallowing saliva can dilute and clear stomach acid from your esophagus.

A warm cup of tea with herbs like slippery elm and marshmallow can also bring relief to calm heartburn discomfort.

These herbs have soothing properties that coat the stomach and esophagus and reduce irritation.

Another herb that’s been shown to have a positive effect on heartburn is licorice.

Licorice root coats the stomach lining and protects the stomach from erosive damage caused by the acid.

But before you run down to the store and pick up a pack of Twizzlers to ease your heartburn, keep in mind that red licorice contains no actual licorice root. 

Only black licorice does. (Red licorice is really just sugar.)

Black licorice can be an acquired taste, so if the flavor makes your stomach churn, you can find licorice root in supplement form.

Food should bring pleasure, not pain.

So, if you suffer from heartburn, give these tips a try.

To keep the fire on the grill... not in your throat.