Though not all suffer from the pangs of heartache in their lifetime, all suffer from heartburn or have endured the bitter taste of a bad tummy and its resultant reflux at some point or the other. The Lower Oesophageal Sphincter is a bundle of muscles at the low end of the oesophagus, where it meets the stomach. When we eat, these muscles expand and push the food down the stomach. At all other times, the muscles lie tightly shut.
In certain cases, these muscles lose their elasticity, become weak and expand for no reason at all. This results in undigested food, along with their acids (reflux), being pushed back into the lower part of the oesophagus. It's this reflux that causes heartburn or acidity, simply put.
Milk has the power to turn what's acidic into the alkaline. Hence, it's a natural antidote for heartburn or acidity. This does not mean one can down more than two glasses of milk. An overdose of milk can bring about trouble in the form of excessive fat. Yet others are lactose-intolerant, which means milk can give them a great deal of discomfort in the form of a bad tummy.
A diet rich in vegetables, leaves, and fruits is ideal for good health and is a rich storehouse of Omega 3, fatty acids, anti-oxidants and phytochemicals. Food rich in these elements ease heartburn and reduce the acidic content in it. Go for fruits rather than fruit juice. Those fond of vegetables and fish are advised to have them with caution… neither too tangy, nor spicy or peppery. Food cooked with just a bit of turmeric would be ideal.
Dessert, oil, ghee, fries, sweets, porridges and fruit juices are a strict NO-NO. Also to be given up are cool drinks, pickles, hot and spicy dishes, food that's too hot or too cold, ajinomoto-flavoured Chinese cuisine and processed food items.
Smoking and drinking are added vices that hasten to bring the reflux up and hence, to be avoided at all cost. Chocolate, fatty food, cakes and creams are best avoided. Folks with a history of reflux and other gastric ailments are to avoid onion, garlic, orange, and lemon.
Never gorge on food or commit the sin of over-eating. Instead of stuffing yourself with three full meals, go easy on your meals and split them into several portions, eating small mouthfuls at regular intervals. Never have late dinners. Chew and eat well, but slowly too. Avoid eating when you are stressed out, lest you should drown yourself in too much food.
Plantains are reflux-relievers. Go for food that's easy to digest and are good for digestive enzymes. Such food can kill acidity and relieve one of acidic discomfort. Herbal tea and honey are great for relieving heartburn. Avoid food mixed with pepper, masala and vinegar.
The protein present in fish, low-fat poultry and skimmed milk soothes the oesophagus and strengthens its muscles. The long and short of it all is that go only for food that’s basically alkaline in nature.
Another vital health tip says one should hit the pillow only three hours after dinner. Break the golden rule and you risk the possibility of having all that you’ve eaten coming back into your oesophagus wrapped in acids. Lie on your left side. When you lie thus, the oesophagus is naturally positioned above the stomach. This will prevent the onrush of reflux up the oesophagus.