Frequent acidity can be uncomfortable, especially when it brings symptoms such as heartburn, burping, a sour taste in the mouth or nausea. While occasional acidity can happen to anyone, experiencing it regularly may be a sign that your eating habits and daily routine need some attention.
Experts often recommend making simple lifestyle and dietary changes instead of repeatedly relying on acidity medicines. Limiting fried and spicy foods, cutting down on excessive tea and coffee, and maintaining healthy digestion can help manage the problem.
Celebrity nutritionist Shweta Shah has suggested three simple practices that may help support digestion and manage acidity.
Why Does Acidity Happen?
Acidity can occur when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. Irregular eating habits, overeating, certain foods, lying down soon after meals and other lifestyle factors can contribute to reflux symptoms.
Common symptoms include heartburn, frequent burping, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth and nausea.
1. Start Your Morning With Soaked Raisins
One simple habit suggested for supporting digestion is eating around eight soaked raisins in the morning.
Raisins provide dietary fiber and naturally occurring nutrients. Including fiber-rich foods in your diet can support regular digestion and overall gut health.
However, if you have diabetes or need to monitor your sugar intake, speak with a healthcare professional before making dried fruits a regular part of your routine.
2. Make Fennel Seeds Part of Your Post-Meal Routine
Fennel seeds have traditionally been used as a digestive aid. They may help with bloating and digestive discomfort for some people.
You can try having soaked fennel seeds after lunch and around one teaspoon after dinner. Keep the quantity moderate and stop if they cause any discomfort.
3. Try Sheetali or Sheetkari Pranayama
Breathing exercises can also be included in a relaxation routine. Sheetali and Sheetkari pranayama are traditional cooling breathing techniques.
The suggested routine is to practice either technique around 10 times before lunch and another 10 times before dinner, provided you are comfortable doing so.
Don't Forget These Everyday Habits
Consistency is important when making lifestyle changes. Don't expect acidity to disappear after trying a remedy once.
Along with these practices, avoid foods that regularly trigger your symptoms, limit excessive tea and coffee, and avoid lying down immediately after eating. A gentle 10-minute walk after meals can also be a useful habit.
If acidity or heartburn occurs frequently, is severe, keeps returning despite lifestyle changes, or is accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, vomiting, unexplained weight loss or chest pain, consult a doctor rather than repeatedly self-medicating.
Remember: Home remedies and lifestyle changes may help some people, but persistent acidity can have different causes and may require proper medical evaluation.
