12 Foods That Effectively Neutralize Stomach Acid

The human body has a pH level of around 7.3-7.4, tending towards alkalinity, and we should maintain our pH level within this range to keep our bodies healthy. However, our modern lifestyle and diet often cause our bodies to have excess stomach acid, leading to various digestive problems. What you need to do right now is to neutralize this excess acid to improve your gut health. In this article,  easyhealthylive.com will provide you with information on the condition of excess stomach acid and how to neutralize it at home. Keep reading below!

How to neutralize stomach acid simple and effective at home

The importance of stomach acid

Digestive and metabolic processes in the gut require the presence of stomach acid. When we eat, a secretion in the stomach is released, which, in conjunction with the squeezing action of the stomach muscles, grinds and breaks down the nutrients in the food.

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is the primary component of stomach acid. The HCl concentration in a healthy stomach ranges from 0.0001-0.001 mol/L, with a pH of approximately 3-4.

Stomach acid plays an important role in digestion by:

• Emptying the stomach and stimulating digestion
• Producing digestive enzymes and stimulating the small intestine
• Killing harmful bacteria outside the stomach
• Influencing the opening and closing of the pyloric valve and the cardiac sphincter

We need to neutralize stomach acid to maintain a stable digestive environment. If the concentration of stomach acid rises or falls out of balance, it can negatively affect the gut and overall health.

Is neutralizing stomach acid really necessary?

Neutralizing stomach acid is a hot topic these days, with many people concerned about it. Why is this topic so important?

Whenever we eat, the stomach secretes a gastric fluid that contains HCl to digest the food. HCl has the ability to dissolve insoluble salts, acting as a catalyst for the reactions that break down carbohydrates (sugar, starch) and proteins into simpler structures that the body can absorb.

Why do we need to neutralize stomach acid? Normally, the stomach produces enough acid to digest the food we eat. However, stress, acidic foods, or environmental pollution can increase the acid concentration in the stomach.

The stomach will secrete gastric juice containing HCl to digest food

A slightly alkaline environment is the most ideal for cells in the body to function properly. If this environment gradually becomes acidic, cells will weaken, die or sometimes transform into malignant cells, leading to dangerous chronic diseases, even cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to neutralize stomach acid.

Causes of excess stomach acid

In addition to finding ways to neutralize stomach acid, you need to determine the cause of this condition. When the exact cause is found, treatment and prevention of recurrence will become more effective and easier. Some common causes are recorded such as:

Unhealthy eating habits

In terms of characteristics, food is divided into 2 groups, including: acidic foods and alkaline foods. If you eat too many acidic foods (red meat, grilled food, fast food, canned food, fats, alcohol, beer, etc.) it will make the amount of acid in the stomach increase beyond the allowable limit.

Not only that, stimulants have been shown to disrupt the digestive tract, making the protective mucus layer of the stomach and colon unable to function normally. From there, it leads to digestive disorders such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, frequent bowel movements, or causes stomach pain and colitis.

Unhealthy eating causes stomach acid to increase

Some dietary habits can also increase the amount of stomach acid. For example:

• Skipping meals, especially breakfast
• Drinking water while eating or after eating
• Consuming contaminated food or water

Environmental pollution, UV rays

Environmental pollution is on the rise in the World, especially in densely populated cities. Every day, we are exposed to pollution from dust, exhaust fumes, chemical odors, wastewater, and UV rays from the sun, which gradually accumulate a large amount of toxins that affect the entire body, including the stomach and digestive system.

Stress

The body and mind are always connected. Therefore, when you are stressed, your body will also be affected. Science has shown that the state of stress will stimulate the body to secrete more HCl acid in the stomach, which can damage the intestinal mucosa and cause stomach pain.

Symptoms of excess acid in the body

Some common symptoms that occur when the body has excess acid for a long time include: Feeling hot and experiencing a burning sensation in the upper abdomen; Frequent bloating and acid reflux; Regular diarrhea or constipation, dark urine; Acne or dry skin; Fatigue and body aches; Difficulty concentrating and nausea.

Stomach is often bloated, uncomfortable heartburn

Is excess stomach acid dangerous?

Why do more and more people pay attention to the topic of neutralizing excess stomach acid? That is because prolonged excess stomach acid can be extremely dangerous. When acid is produced in excess compared to the amount of stomach needed for digestion, it will erode and destroy the stomach lining. If left untreated, the damage such as inflammation, ulcers will cause diseases such as:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Gastric and duodenal ulcers
• Gastric bleeding
• Perforated stomach
• Stomach cancer

In addition to increasing the risk of stomach-related diseases, the body also loses its immunity and is susceptible to some diseases such as gout, osteoporosis, kidney stones, obesity, liver and gallbladder diseases, and even cancer.

How to prevent and treat excess stomach acid

To keep the body healthy and prevent many diseases, you need to pay attention to the issue of neutralizing excess stomach acid. If you prevent it in advance, the treatment process will be simpler if you have excess stomach acid. Here are 4 things you need to do to prevent and treat excess stomach acid:

Use Western medicine

Various types of drugs that reduce stomach acid secretion and reduce damage caused by acid to the stomach lining are widely used. Some common drugs that you can refer to are ranitidine, omeprazole, cimetidine, lansoprazole. If you want to take medication to neutralize excess acid, increase the pH, you can try products such as alusi, maalox, gastropulgite.

Medications that reduce gastric acid secretion are commonly used

When taking medication, the active ingredients in the medication will be metabolized in the intestine and enter the bloodstream. Some side effects may occur that you should pay attention to, such as allergies, headaches, and nausea.

Note: Do not self-medicate with stomach acid reducers, use the medication at the prescribed dose as directed by a specialist doctor to limit the side effects of the medication.

Scientific lifestyle

Unbalanced lifestyle habits lead to weakened immune systems, increasing the risk of illness. Do not focus too much on work and money and forget to take care of yourself. Learn about balancing stomach acid, remember and plan, and persistently create these habits gradually. After just a few months, you will see a significant change in your body.

Healthy habits:

• Eat on time, eat before going to bed at night for 3-4 hours.
• Avoid eating too much before going to bed as this will create pressure, making our skin work harder.
• Divide meals into small portions throughout the day instead of just eating three or two large meals, eat in moderation, not too little or too much.
• Eat slowly, chew well.
• Limit stimulant-containing beverages such as beer, alcoholic drinks, and carbonated drinks.
• Limit spicy, hot, oily foods.
• Make a habit of drinking 1 glass of purified water every morning. This will help clean the intestines, remove harmful impurities from the body.

Alkaline ionized water

“What to drink to balance stomach acid” is a question that many families are interested in. Daily drinking water directly affects health, because over 70% of humans are water.

Today’s article would like to introduce to you alkaline ionized water – a method of balancing stomach acid recommended by many experts, the “bane” of excess acid in the stomach.

This type of water is rich in natural alkalinity similar to green vegetables, with a pH of about 9.5-9.5. When entering the body, the active ingredients in the water will balance the acid in the stomach caused by acidic foods or when the body produces too much acid due to stress. Therefore, alkaline ionized water has the ability to increase the alkalinity of the water, neutralizing some of the acid from the reflux into the esophagus.

Dr. Okura of the National Hospital and Shiga University in Japan collaborated on experimental research and drew conclusions about the benefits of alkaline ionized water. Gastrointestinal diseases will be significantly improved, and the risk of developing chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes will be reduced.

Establishing a scientific, alkaline-based diet

You may already know that drinking alkaline ion water can help improve your gut health, but what should you eat to reduce stomach acid? There are certain foods that, if consumed consistently, can help reduce the production of excessive acid in the stomach, thereby decreasing inflammation in the esophagus and stomach. The nutrients found in these foods also provide many beneficial nutrients for the body.

Building a scientific, alkaline diet is essential

Foods that can help neutralize stomach acid include:

Green leafy vegetables

Vegetables like kale, spinach, and collard greens are high in antioxidants and fiber, which are great for your digestive system.

Bananas

Bananas are high in alkaline nutrients that can help reduce excess stomach acid. They are also a favorite food among those who follow a healthy lifestyle or are trying to lose weight.

Garlic

The compound allicin found in garlic has antibacterial properties and can reduce the formation of acid in the stomach. People who suffer from acid reflux can eat 2-3 small cloves of garlic per meal to help reduce stomach acid.

Watercress and celery

These two vegetables are recommended by nutritionists to be added to your diet when your body has excess acid. With high alkaline content, watercress and celery can be an effective solution to neutralize stomach acid. Watercress also has anti-inflammatory properties and can be helpful in treating stomach ulcers.

Green beans

Not only green beans but all types of beans are very beneficial for our bodies. Green beans are also commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine due to their strong alkaline properties. If you regularly eat green beans, you can naturally neutralize stomach acid without the need for medication.

Apples

Eating an apple a day is the advice of nutrition experts. This fruit is good for the stomach and can reduce excess acid levels. Although apples are also acidic, they contain enzymes that help neutralize acid, so don’t worry too much.

Ginger or ginger tea

This type of food is used as an ingredient in many delicious dishes. Ginger has a spicy, warm taste and contains many anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, so it is widely used to treat gastrointestinal diseases.

Watermelon

This juicy fruit is able to maintain a stable acid level thanks to its citrulline amino acid. This type of acid also supports the production of ammonia.

Watermelon has the ability to maintain a stable acidity level

Soybean

Soy milk is an excellent choice when you have a stomachache. With its natural alkaline properties, soluble fiber can reduce the acidity and contraction of the stomach.

Potato

If you often suffer from acid reflux due to high levels of acid, keep a few potatoes in the refrigerator. Just cut a thin slice, chew slowly and the stomach ache will gradually subside. But remember, only use one slice.

Aloe vera

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, the symptoms of acid reflux can be relieved. The symptoms of heartburn and acidity can also be significantly reduced by using aloe vera water.

3 foods to avoid to reduce excess stomach acid

There are many types of food that have been shown to cause excess stomach acid. To control the amount of acid in the stomach and improve digestion and health, you should avoid or limit the use of the following 3 types of food.

3 foods to avoid to not increase excess acid in the stomach

Tomatoes

Although tomatoes are included in many diets for weight loss, their high acidity can worsen symptoms of GERD. If you frequently experience acid reflux, it is best to avoid vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, oranges, grapefruits, and pineapples.

Fatty foods

In addition to incorporating the foods listed above to neutralize stomach acid, you should also limit your consumption of high-fat and greasy foods. These types of foods relax the lower esophageal sphincter, making it easier for stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus. They also slow down the digestive process.

Chocolate

While chocolate is a beloved snack, it is not beneficial for those who suffer from digestive problems. Chocolate contains methylxanthine, which has been shown to relax the smooth muscle in the lower esophageal sphincter, making it more susceptible to acid reflux.

Chocolate is not beneficial for anyone suffering from stomach diseases

Alkaline ion water helps reduce stomach acid

Every day, our bodies receive a lot of food and drinks that contain acid. Over time, this becomes a direct cause of excess stomach acid. You will feel that your stomach is unhealthy through symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sour belching, stomach pain, acid reflux, or even stomach ulcers.

Moreover, excessive acid can lead to ulcers in the stomach and intestines, or even stomach bleeding, while reducing immunity. From there, you are more likely to develop chronic diseases such as gout, osteoporosis, or even cancer.

So how can you neutralize stomach acid? In addition to seriously changing your diet and lifestyle, you can supplement with alkaline water every day to support reducing stomach acid. Currently, the development of science and technology has helped humans get closer to alkaline water. You can find reputable brands of ionized alkaline water on the market, such as alkaline ion water.

Alkaline ion water has a pH of up to 9.5, supporting the neutralization of excess acid and returning the pH in the stomach to normal levels. In addition, alkaline ion water contains H+ (hydro ion) with antioxidant properties, helping to protect the stomach lining better.

Environmental factors and current food are significantly increasing digestive system diseases, and the culprit of this is excess acid in the stomach. To protect your health and avoid many diseases, you should develop good habits to neutralize stomach acid. Starting now, let’s develop a habit of drinking alkaline ion water, eating a balanced diet, and having a healthy lifestyle to protect our health.