Acid reflux is a common digestive problem particularly when you overeat.
Let us look at what really happens.
Gastric acids flow backward from the stomach into the esophagus,when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not contract properly. This causes a burning sensation in the chest and throat known as acid reflux or heartburn.
Other symptoms of acid reflux include, bloating, burping and unpleasant taste in the mouth.
It is not just overeating but stress, smoking and lack of sleep can also cause acid reflux.
A number of home remedies including cinnamon can heal acid reflux and heartburn. But be careful as cinnamon in some people can increase heartburn symptoms. In such cases try other methods.
Table of Contents
- Does Cinnamon Cure Acid Reflux or Causes it?
- How to Use Cinnamon for Acid Reflux and Heartburn?
- Additional Acid Reflux Remedies
- Other Tips and Precautions
Does Cinnamon Cure Acid Reflux or Causes it?
It is important to understand the mechanism of Acid Reflux to understand how cinnamon or any other food item can aggravate or cure it.
Your stomach contains a strong acid called hydrochloric acid which breaks down food for digestion and kills bacteria in the stomach. Your stomach lining is designed to deal with hydrochloric acid.
When the food comes down and passes through esophagus (the food pipe) to your stomach, it is the gravity that helps the natural movement downwards. When it reaches the stomach it meets hydrochloric acid and continues the downward movement
But when the stomach is full, the acids in the stomach can move upwards to esophagus whose internal lining is not designed to handle strong acids like hydrochloric acid. That is why it causes a burning sensation. We call it heartburn or acid reflux.
Occasional heartburn is not serious, but if it becomes chronic then it can have serious health issues.
When you have occasional acid reflux cinnamon can help to control it. This is because cinnamon helps in digestion.
Some spices do not suit everyone and cinnamon is one of them. It is a widely loved spice around the globe. Its aroma is so inviting that you can't resist the temptation to eat foods flavoured with Cinnamon.
But in some cases, though rarely, it can cause acid reflux. In that case one should not take cinnamon as it can aggravate your heartburn symptoms.
Assuming cinnamon suits you, let us understand how you can use it to treat your acid reflux.
How to Use Cinnamon for Acid Reflux and Heartburn?
You can use cinnamon in many different ways to deal with your acid reflux and heartburn. Some are listed below:
1. Cinnamon Tea
This is the simplest way to consume cinnamon.
What you need
- 1 teaspoon ground ceylon cinnamon
- 2 cup water
What You have to do
- Pour 2 cups if water in a heating pot
- Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Bring the water to boil
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes
- Put off the heat and strain the tea
- Let it cool down to palatable temperatures
- Drink and enjoy
2. Cinnamon and Honey
Honey is antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory. Adding it with cinnamon and eating will improve your digestion and reduce acid reflux.
What you need
- ½ teaspoon fine ceylon cinnamon powder
- 1 teaspoon honey
What you have to do
- Mix ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder with 1 teaspoon of honey
- Put the mix in your mouth with help if a spoon
- Don't try to chew or swallow
- Let it move down your throat slowly by gravity
It will soothe esophagus and reduce heartburn.
3. Coconut Oil and Cinnamon
What you need
- 1 tablespoon virgin unfiltered coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
What you have to do
- Mix one tablespoon of coconut oil with 1/2 teaspoon of finely ground cinnamon
- Eat it slowly
- Do it after every meal for a day or two until acid reflux is gone
Additional Acid Reflux Remedies
There are a number of other initiatives you can take to prevent and cure acid reflux and heartburn. Following are some of the most useful remedies
What you should do
- Don't overeat (simple common sense)
- Eat low carb diet
- Chew gum to produce more saliva
- Lose weight (good for your overall wellbeing also)
- Sleep on your left side
- Eat your last meal 3 hours before going to the bed
What you should avoid
- Alcohol - give up or reduce
- Caffeine - not good
- Avoid all carbonated drinks
- Reduce citrus juice consumption
- No chocolates if you can live with it otherwise reduce consumption
- Avoid mint
Other Tips and Precautions
Take following precautions to stay healthy and free of acid reflux and heartburn
- Drink lots of water throughout the day
- Sleep well
- Exercise daily
- Avoid spicy foods
- Give up those foods that give you acid reflux
- Too much cinnamon is not good in long term. So limit your consumption.
Occasional acid reflux is normal but chronic conditions require medical help before it can become a complex problem. Consult your doctor in such cases.