If you have acid reflux or heartburn, try alkaline foods for hyperacidity because they can help. A diet rich in foods that have an alkalizing effect on your body will not only help cure your acidity, it will also improve your overall health.
What are the best alkaline foods for hyperacidity?
When you want to know whether a food is acidic or alkaline, you need to consider it’s effect your body, rather than the pH of the food itself. While a food might be considered acidic, once it’s in your stomach, it may have a completely different effect.
For example, potatoes are slightly acidic, but in your body, they have an alkalizing effect. Therefore, potatoes are good to eat if you’re trying to get hyperacidity under control. A word of warning though, while potato itself is good for acidity, don’t serve it with lots of butter or sour cream as both of these foods are acidic and could make your reflux worse.
Good alkaline foods for hyperacidity
Everyone’s body reacts differently to food. You should avoid foods that trigger your acid reflux, even if they are alkaline. Here are some good alkaline foods for hyperacidity:
- Most vegetables – potato, spinach, carrots, broccoli, squash, cauliflower, turnip, sweetcorn, green beans, zucchini, lettuce
- Most fruits – melons, apples, pears, berries, nectarines, apricots, grapes
- Some seeds and nuts – pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, cashews, almonds
- Eggs
- Quinoa
- Oats
- Herbs
- Sprouts
- Herbal teas – these herbal teas are very good for acid reflux
- Vegetable juices
Foods that are bad for hyperacidity
These foods are bad for hyperacidity and heartburn, and should be avoided or eaten in small amounts:
- Fizzy drinks
- Beer
- Sugar
- Fried foods
- Artificial sweeteners
- Bread
- White pasta
- Processed cheese
- Meat
Here is a printable acid-alkaline food chart. You can find many variations online. I chose this one because it had a big variety of foods listed, but it’s not extensive. To get a really clear understanding of alkaline foods for hyperacidity, consult a number of charts. And remember to avoid your acid reflux trigger foods, even if they are alkaline.
How do I use alkaline foods for hyperacidity?
It’s recommended that you eat alkaline foods for hyperacidity about 60-80% of the time, and acidic foods should make up 20-40%. Keep in mind that since you’re trying to reduce hyperacidity, you may way to eat closer to 80% alkaline foods until you get your acidity under control.
You should avoid foods that trigger your acid reflux and those your body reacts badly to. Once you have your acidity under control, then you may wish to try re-introducing your trigger foods back into your diet slowly.
What is hyperacidity?
Hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes in your stomach breaks down food into tiny pieces to help with digestion. Too much hydrochloric acid in your stomach is called hyperacidity, which is also known as acid dyspepsia or hyperchlorhydria.
When you have hyperacidity, your stomach acid irritates the mucus membrane lining of your stomach. This can then cause inflammation, pain and acid reflux.
Hyperacidity is a common reason why people suffer from gas or bloating. People who have hyperacidity often say they have gas or problems with acidity.
It’s thought that more than 25% of the population of the Unites States suffers from hyperacidity. But it’s hard to know for sure because many people manage hyperacidity without medical intervention.
Long term effects of chronic hyperacidity
Too much irritation of your stomach lining can cause inflammation and peptic or gastric ulcers. And if left untreated you may get perforated ulcers.
Hyperacidity also causes acid reflux which needs to be treated if it occurs more than twice a week. And if you don’t treat your heartburn, it may lead to Barrett’s esophagus and possibly cancer.
It’s much easier to fix a small problem rather than a big problem. So please take your heartburn seriously and find a remedy before it becomes worse.
What causes hyperacidity?
Mostly, hyperacidity is caused by poor diet and lifestyle choices, such as:
- too much junk food, spicy foods and fried foods
- caffeine: coffee, tea, chocolate
- eating at odd times, especially late at night
- laying down too soon after eating
- disturbed sleep patterns
- stress and anxiety
- physical inactivity
- smoking
- alcohol
- some medications
Also, the following conditions are associated with hyperacidity:
- obesity
- pregnancy
- aging
- fasting
Signs and symptoms of hyperacidity
These are some of the most common signs and symptoms of hyperacidity:
- heartburn and indigestion
- mild chest pain
- throat burn and irritation
- burping
- flatulence or gas
- bloating
Scientists think hyperacidity may be genetic although more research needs to be done. But, it could also be that people in the same family may have the same poor diet and lifestyle.
FAQs about alkaline foods for hyperacidity
What is an alkaline diet?
“Alkaline Diet” is the name of a diet trend. The “Alkaline Diet” claims you can reduce acidity in your blood by eating alkaline foods. It also says that if your body is too acidic, you are prone to chronic diseases and illnesses. The problem with the diet is basic chemistry. Your body keeps blood pH at a constant level, and unless you have a rare condition, it is unlikely the acidity in your blood would change.
While the claims made by the Alkaline Diet are are not based on science, what is good about the diet is the types of foods you are encouraged to eat. These are whole foods and simple meals that will help cure or at least reduce your hyperacidity.
How can I make my body more alkaline?
Unless you have a rare condition, you can’t make your body more alkaline. In fact, your body keeps itself at a neutral pH level.
What you probably mean is: “How can I reduce the acidity in my stomach so I can get rid of my acidity?” You can do this by:
- eliminating junk food from your diet
- eating more whole foods and simple meals
- eat 4-5 small meals per day
- avoid smoking, alcohol and carbonated drinks
- do gentle exercise most days
- allow 2-3 hours after eating before lying down
- and, you can also try natural home remedies for heartburn.
Best food to cure acidity
The best foods to cure acidity are foods that have an alkalizing effect on your body. Here are some alkaline foods for hyperacidity:
- Most vegetables – potato, spinach, carrots, broccoli, squash, cauliflower, turnip, sweetcorn, green beans, zucchini, lettuce
- Most fruits – melons, apples, pears, berries, nectarines, apricots, grapes
- Some seeds and nuts – pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, cashews, almonds
- Eggs
- Quinoa
- Oats
- Herbs
- Sprouts
- Herbal teas – these herbal teas are very good for acid reflux
- Vegetable juices
How does antacid cure hyperacidity?
Antacids are medicines that neutralize stomach acid. Stomach acid is acidic and antacids are alkali (the opposite of acidic), so antacids work to counter the effects of acid in your stomach. And in turn, this relieves hyperacidity and heartburn.
Is it OK to take antacids daily?
If you are taking antacids more than twice a week to control heartburn, then you should see a doctor. Antacids can relive your acid reflux, but they don’t fix the root cause of your problem. Long term use of antacids can be associated with bleeding, ulcers and potentially cancer.
Why is my body so acidic?
The most likely reason your body is so acidic is due to poor diet and lifestyle factors, such as too much junk food, spicy foods and fried foods, too may caffeinated and carbonated drinks, eating at irregular times especially late at night, too much alcohol, smoking, physical inactivity, stress, and some medications.
The last word on alkaline foods for hyperacidity
There is a clear benefit to eating alkaline foods for hyperacidity. Foods that have an alkalizing effect on your body are good, healthy foods that can be served in simple meals. If you eat this way most of the time, and follow the suggestions below, you should be able to reduce your hyperacidity and acid reflux.
- have 4-5 small meals per day
- eliminate foods that trigger your acid reflux
- allow 2-3 hours before laying down
- pay attention to your sleep position
- do gentle exercise most days
- try to reduce stress by doing mediation
- avoid smoking and alcohol
- and maybe even try some natural heartburn remedies