You’ve probably gone through this unpleasant feeling before: having a great meal before going to sleep and then having a rough night because of awful indigestion, heartburn or acid reflux. The American College of Gastroenterology says that more than 60 million people in the US have experienced heartburn at least once a month, and over 15 million have symptoms each day.
Naturally, avoiding the drinks and foods known to cause heartburn and other stomach problems is ideal, but it’s not always easy. Everyone likes to eat a delicious meal on occasion or indulge in a favorite drink or bad habit. Many drinks, foods and lifestyle habits can cause symptoms of acid reflex, including:
• Nicotine products, such as cigarettes
• Hard candy and chewing gum
• Snacks late at night
• Laying down immediately after eating
• Wearing tight clothes or bending over after a meal
• Eating larger meals
• Being overweight
• Fried or fatty foods
• Having any spearmint or peppermint
• Oil or chocolate
• Creamed soups or vegetables
• Citrus products, such as oranges, pineapple and grapefruit
• Coffee or tea
• Soft or other carbonated drinks
• Acidic or spicy foods
• Processed meats
• Alcohol
It’s a lot of foods to avoid, but the key to staying away from these heartburn triggers is how often you consume these items. Stay on a whole-food diet, with as many vegetables and fruits as you can manage, and try to limit eating things on the above list to only on occasion.
If you eat some of your favorite foods one night in a moment of weakness and have terrible reflux before going to bed, you can get relief. There are many medicines out on the market today aimed at people suffering from chronic heartburn, but they tend to carry unpleasant side effects or only act as a temporary fix. Luckily, there is a “miracle milk” that is more natural and can help ease your symptoms and have you feeling just fine when you wake up.
It’s Inexpensive To Make
This miracle drink is made with just a few common and inexpensive ingredients: ginger, coconut milk, turmeric, black pepper and honey. These are staples in just about any grocery store, and with the increasing popularity of coconut milk, you’ll find varieties at multiple price points.
It’s Packed With Digestive Benefits
All of the above ingredients are known to help with digestive issues. Combining them together into one drink is an easy way to access all the benefits at the same time.
Turmeric, according to Botanical, can help digestion and reduce bloating and gas. It also helps smooth muscles, which may help if you tend to experience cramping after eating. Black pepper, according to Nutrition Facts, boosts the bio availability and your body’s absorption of curcumin, turmeric’s main ingredient.
Coconut milk, per Seed Guides, can help boost your digestive symptom and ease stomach ulcer and acid reflux symptoms. It’s also packed with antioxidants, which help fight off free radicals that damage tissue and cells in your body.
Honey is a popular remedy for digestive issues such as constipation, ulcers and nausea, reports Green Fitness. It’s also a substitute for sweeteners in small amounts, which can help with weight loss.
According to the official website of Dr. David Williams, a medical researcher and biochemist, ginger root powder can even be more effective than some of the acid reflux medications on the market today. Dr. Williams recommends using freshly grated ginger root if possible.
It’s Easy To Create
Making this miracle milk is a sap, with a cooking time of less than 10 minutes. You need:
• Two cups of coconut milk
• One teaspoon of turmeric
• One teaspoon of ginger powder or a one-inch piece of fresh sliced ginger root
• One-quarter teaspoon of ground black pepper
• One tablespoon of honey, organic preferred
Combine all of the ingredients above minus the honey in a bowl and mix. Pour your mixture into a saucepan, heating until it reaches a boil. Decrease the heat to low, and let it cook for about five minutes. Add the honey while the drink is still warm and enjoy right before bed.
Quick Tips For Living With Reflux
Beyond the miracle milk, you can help prevent symptoms by using the following quick acid reflux tips!
Eat slowly and eat less: Eating a lot of food at one time or eating fast can make your symptoms even worse. Stop eating when you’re full and feel comfortable, and take your time while eating. When you eat quickly, you make it harder for your stomach to digest and also swallow more air, which contributes to gas. One easy way to slow yourself down is by placing your fork down on the table between every three bites or so.
Wear looser clothes: Tight clothes around your middle can increase the pressure in your stomach and make your reflux discomfort worse. When you’re having a flare-up, stick to comfortable pants that give plenty of room. Belts, tight jeans and other snug clothing items can make you reflux even more, so remember that it’s okay to wear your more comfortable clothes when you need to.
Stay up after eating: When you tend to get acid reflux, it’s vital you stay upright for at least two hours after you’ve eaten something. Standing up and walking actually will encourage the gastric juices to flow the way they’re supposed to go. When you sleep, keep your upper body elevated for the same reason. Use a foam wedge pillow, or prop up the head of your bed using blocks or another stable support device.
Get some exercise: Moderate exercise keeps you upright, allowing gravity to help your digestion and can help you lose weight. According to Healthline, carrying extra weight increases the pressure on your stomach and the likelihood of attacks when it comes to reflux. The key here is to avoid exercises that are too vigorous, such as running, because those types of activities can irritate your digestive tract. Brisk walking and other low-impact exercises can help you take off pounds without agitating your stomach. Avoid working out until two hours has passed since you last ate to minimize your symptom risk.
Drink less with meals: If you’re prone to acid reflux and have a habit of drinking while you eat, try to limit how much you drink with meals. Liquids add to your stomach’s food volu
me and increase the amount of distension. When your stomach is full, it puts more pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle responsible for keeping food from moving back into your esophagus. This can lead to the LES opening or “leaking,” allowing food and acid to splash back up. Try to only take small sips of water during meals, and drink mostly between your meals if you can.
With a few lifestyle and dietary changes and a miracle milk here and there, you can get a handle on your reflux. Start making changes today to feel better and ease your reflux symptoms!
