Choose a Natural Cure for Heartburn

There are some general foods that are known contributors to heartburn symptoms, and you may find your own natural remedy for heartburn by simply avoiding one of the foods on this list.

If you don’t see effective heartburn relief through any of the suggested diet modifications, you can keep a food diary that will give you a better indication of which foods in your own diet tend to precede your heartburn symptoms.

Foods and beverages that are common causes of heartburn include: 

• chocolate
• pepperming
• carbonated drinks
• alcohol
• onions
• garlic
• tomatoes
• oranges, lemons, limes and other citrus fruits
• citrus drinks like orange juice

Keep track of what you eat and drink, then start eliminating the suspicious foods one by one to determine which diet changes will be the most effective as a natural remedy for heartburn.

It is not only what you eat that is significant in curbing the painful symptoms of heartburn, but also when you eat it. Try to avoid meals in the two to three hours before bedtime, since lying down after eating will make it easier for stomach acids to creep back up into the esophagus.

When you do go to bed, elevating the head of your bed four to six inches will help to ensure that you wake in the morning symptom free. It is also a good idea to avoid exercise after a meal, although regular exercise can also be an effective natural heartburn relief.

If certain types of exercise seem to bring on your symptoms, talk to your doctor or personal trainer about better choices in your exercise program. Smoking is another culprit in causing or exacerbating heartburn symptoms, so here is another good reason to kick the habit.

Finally, find ways to relax and alleviate stress, since this stress can contribute to the factors that cause heartburn. Sucking on hard candy (as long as it is not mint) can also curb symptoms by increasing the saliva in the mouth that can act as a natural barrier to the digestive acids.

As odd as it may seem, your clothes can have an impact on heartburn.  Don't wear clothes that are tight around your stomach for example. 

By using the checklist and carefully monitoring your eating and lifestyle habits, you'll start to see what impacts your heartburn and be in a better position to control it with natural heartburn relief.