Acid-Reflux-Diet
Rhubarb A Help For Stomach Acid?

Is an acid-reflux-diet what you really need for stomach-acid or just some simple changes in your everyday eating habits?

The best diet according to some sources is really no specific diet at all, at least not in the sense that we understand regular diets to be.

Instead of only eating certain foods and avoiding others, the option is to simply eat smaller quantities and over larger intervals during the course of the day. In time, this is supposed to reduce any heartburn symptoms.  

There are mixed opinions as to the causes of stomach-acid backing up the esophagus.

Too much caffeine and and heavily spiced foods are thought to be the culprits of this uncomfortable burning sensation also referred to as heartburn or heartburn indigestion.

If you are over-indulging in too much of one or the other in a short time, it makes sense.  The culprit for me actually is coffee in the mornings and nothing else with it.  

Heartburn occurs when stomach-acid comes up and seems to be stuck in the back of the throat. This is a very sour and bitter taste and sometimes feels like it takes forever to ease off.  It's called heartburn because you can feel it in your chest.  If the pain is bad enough, people may think they are experiencing a heart-attack.  Not a pleasant feeling at all!

Most people rely on an acid-reflux-diet consisting of pills which they can take and bring some quick but sometimes temporary relief. There are many different ideas of how to actually get rid of it.

There are a number of herbal remedies as well that have been long-used by the native peoples of other lands.

Chewing on a piece of rhubarb was a relief for Native Americans. Not too surprising since rhubarb has long been associated with providing relief for a number of ailments.

The stomach-acid is apparently neutralized by the production of saliva which comes from constant chewing.

Fennel oil, and fennel tea has been used also and fennel seeds are available in most grocery stores.

Along with rhubarb, peppermint has been used as well for relief. Peppermint leaves can be chewed or added to tea.

Peppermint oil is popular and found in the drugstores. I
do know for a fact that a drop of essence of peppermint in a bottle of water was good for relieving gas symptoms in babies.  I used that method many times.  

Chalky drinks are ok, but do leave an after-taste that people don't like too much.  

A little bit of irony?  Rhubarb acidity is anywhere from 3.10 to 3.40 in the acidic range, which is considered "mildly acidic."  It could cause a bit of heartburn too, and it might not.  So, don't over-do on a good thing.  

Acid-reflux or heartburn is very common, but if you experience it frequently, it should be checked by a Physician. If your present diet doesn't even include caffeine or any kind of spicy foods, then this is all the more reason to consult your Doctor.

Other topics that may be of interest...Rhubarb can be a help or a hindrance, or not the culprit at all.  Click on the pictures.

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