Acid reflux is a painful gastrointestinal condition that causes stomach acid to come up your esophagus, causing chest pain and discomfort. Severe acid reflux can cause symptoms similar to a heart attack. If you have been diagnosed with acid reflux, certain foods can worsen your symptoms. This includes spicy, caffeine-containing and high-fat foods. Other foods, however, can help relieve painful acid reflux symptoms.
Vegetable Juices
Drinking one cup of carrot or cabbage juice per day can help relieve the pain from an inflamed stomach. These juices have a soothing effect on your stomach lining. This means you experience a reduction in pain because the stomach is not as sensitive to the acid. You can incorporate four oz. -- a half-cup -- of aloe vera into this juice for additional benefit.
Glutamine
Glutamine is a compound that is found naturally in some foods and also can be purchased as a powder to add to foods. It is an amino acid that can reduce intestinal inflammation that leads to acid reflux pain. Foods that contain glutamine include eggs, milk, cabbage, beets, beans, spinach and parsley. Meats like beef, chicken and fish also contain glutamine. However, it's a good idea to eat as lean a source as possible. This is because eating high-fat cuts of meat can contribute to acid reflux. If you prefer to use powder, a teaspoon of glutamine or l-glutamine can be added to a half-cup of water with each meal.
Licorice
Derived from the licorice plant, licorice -- not the candy kind -- can be steeped in teas or added as an extract to certain foods. When ingested, herbal licorice has a coating effect to the stomach, reducing the severity of stomach acid pain. This also can be used to relieve ulcers and other intestinal conditions.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Although apple cider vinegar is by nature acidic, taking two spoonfuls with a meal can help relieve acid reflux. Apple cider vinegar seems to have a relaxing effect on the stomach. It also works with your stomach to aid digestion. Because acid reflux can be related to difficulty digesting high-fat foods, citrus fruits, spicy foods or dairy products, apple cider vinegar may help your stomach better digest these and other acid-reflux causing foods.
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