Suffering from heartburn? These 3 drinks could provide instant relief
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The holidays are here, bringing joy—and for many, heartburn. Rich meals and festive drinks often leave us with uncomfortable discomfort.
What if there’s a simple way to stop the post-feast burn?
Before we dive into the heartburn-relieving elixirs, let's take a moment to understand what's happening when that fiery sensation strikes.
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid makes its way back up into the esophagus, causing a burning feeling in the chest area.
This can happen when the lower esophageal sphincter, the gatekeeper between your stomach and esophagus, relaxes at the wrong time.
Dr. Yi Qin, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic, explains that heartburn can be a symptom of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
It's often accompanied by a bitter or sour taste in the back of the throat and can last from a few minutes to several hours, especially after indulging in a big meal or lying down too quickly afterward.
While occasional heartburn is common, frequent episodes could signal a more serious condition like GERD, which requires medical attention to prevent damage to the esophagus.
Now, let's quench your thirst for knowledge with three drinks that can help alleviate that pesky heartburn.
1. Herbal Teas: A Cup of Comfort
Herbal teas are a cozy remedy that can aid digestion and promote relaxation.
Dr. Qin suggests teas like licorice and chamomile, which can soothe the stomach. However, it's best to avoid mint teas, as they might trigger acid reflux.
Ginger tea, in particular, is a favorite among health experts for its stomach-settling properties.
Dr. Katrina Hartog, RD, assistant chief clinical dietitian at Lenox Hill Hospital, recommends a simple homemade ginger tea: slice some fresh ginger, steep it in hot water, and add a touch of honey for sweetness.
Just remember to skip the ginger ale or beer, as carbonation can exacerbate heartburn.
2. Milk: The Classic Soother
Low-fat milk and plant-based alternatives like almond or soy milk can neutralize stomach acid and provide quick relief from heartburn.
“Milk helps calm the stomach,” says Dr. Qin. So next time you feel the burn, consider reaching for a glass of milk to douse the flames.
Source: Parade/Youtube.
3. Water: The Simplest Solution
Sometimes the best remedy is the most straightforward one.
Water, with its neutral pH of 7.0, can aid the digestion process and help dilute stomach acid.
Dr. Hartog reminds us that staying hydrated is essential for overall health and can be particularly helpful when dealing with heartburn.
While these drinks can offer temporary relief, the best approach to managing heartburn is through prevention.
Dr. Nate Favini, Medical Lead of Forward, emphasizes the importance of lifestyle interventions such as modifying your diet, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, avoiding overeating, and minimizing consumption of fatty and fried foods.
Other preventative measures include not eating late at night, waiting before lying down after a meal, and elevating your head and upper torso while sleeping to help keep stomach acids in their place.
By understanding what triggers heartburn and having these three soothing drinks on hand, you can enjoy the festivities without the fiery aftermath.
And remember, adopting healthy lifestyle habits is the most effective way to prevent heartburn and ensure that you can savor every moment of the season.
We at The GrayVine encourage you to share your own heartburn remedies and experiences in the comments below.
What if there’s a simple way to stop the post-feast burn?
Before we dive into the heartburn-relieving elixirs, let's take a moment to understand what's happening when that fiery sensation strikes.
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid makes its way back up into the esophagus, causing a burning feeling in the chest area.
This can happen when the lower esophageal sphincter, the gatekeeper between your stomach and esophagus, relaxes at the wrong time.
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest, often accompanied by acid reflux into the throat. Image source: freestocks.org/Pexels.
Dr. Yi Qin, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic, explains that heartburn can be a symptom of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
It's often accompanied by a bitter or sour taste in the back of the throat and can last from a few minutes to several hours, especially after indulging in a big meal or lying down too quickly afterward.
While occasional heartburn is common, frequent episodes could signal a more serious condition like GERD, which requires medical attention to prevent damage to the esophagus.
Now, let's quench your thirst for knowledge with three drinks that can help alleviate that pesky heartburn.
1. Herbal Teas: A Cup of Comfort
Herbal teas are a cozy remedy that can aid digestion and promote relaxation.
Dr. Qin suggests teas like licorice and chamomile, which can soothe the stomach. However, it's best to avoid mint teas, as they might trigger acid reflux.
Ginger tea, in particular, is a favorite among health experts for its stomach-settling properties.
Dr. Katrina Hartog, RD, assistant chief clinical dietitian at Lenox Hill Hospital, recommends a simple homemade ginger tea: slice some fresh ginger, steep it in hot water, and add a touch of honey for sweetness.
Just remember to skip the ginger ale or beer, as carbonation can exacerbate heartburn.
2. Milk: The Classic Soother
Low-fat milk and plant-based alternatives like almond or soy milk can neutralize stomach acid and provide quick relief from heartburn.
“Milk helps calm the stomach,” says Dr. Qin. So next time you feel the burn, consider reaching for a glass of milk to douse the flames.
Source: Parade/Youtube.
3. Water: The Simplest Solution
Sometimes the best remedy is the most straightforward one.
Water, with its neutral pH of 7.0, can aid the digestion process and help dilute stomach acid.
Dr. Hartog reminds us that staying hydrated is essential for overall health and can be particularly helpful when dealing with heartburn.
While these drinks can offer temporary relief, the best approach to managing heartburn is through prevention.
Dr. Nate Favini, Medical Lead of Forward, emphasizes the importance of lifestyle interventions such as modifying your diet, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, avoiding overeating, and minimizing consumption of fatty and fried foods.
Other preventative measures include not eating late at night, waiting before lying down after a meal, and elevating your head and upper torso while sleeping to help keep stomach acids in their place.
By understanding what triggers heartburn and having these three soothing drinks on hand, you can enjoy the festivities without the fiery aftermath.
And remember, adopting healthy lifestyle habits is the most effective way to prevent heartburn and ensure that you can savor every moment of the season.
