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5 Foods That Fight Acid Reflux Naturally

acid refluxI am sure that we are all a little too familiar with the term acidity or more particularly acid reflux. It is a condition that causes a burning sensation in the lower part of our food pipe. Basically, the digestive process in our stomach spills back into our oesophagus due to relaxation of the valve dividing them. As we all know, stomach juices consist of Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) – which is not good for the membranes of our oesophagus – hence, the burning sensation. 

Usually such situations can be brought under control by using a base neutralizer such as baking soda, ENO, etc. But such solutions are not viable because they provide temporary relief along with a strong possibility of a worse acidic rebound. This calls for an alternate solution, a natural one preferably.

How To Fight Acid Reflux Naturally With Food 

  1. Popped Rice: It is very alkaline in nature, easy to digest and moreover absorbs the excess acid from the stomach. It is famous in Maharashtra and is called as “Salichya Lahya” which is the part of Diwali prasad. Just eat a handful of these with ‘Khadi sakhar/Mishri’ (Rock candy) or boil the lahya in water, cool the water, strain and drink. It helps with acidity. This low calorie snack absorbs the residual acid and neutralizes the stomach’s pH. Popped Sorghum (Jowar) is a decent alternative to this. 
  2. Banana: is a fruit that can be found everywhere. It has multiple health benefits and preventative abilities that many people tend to overlook. We just think that they are healthy and consume them. Their high roughage content helps strengthen our digestive system which in turn helps in prevention of indigestion. The soluble fibers present in the banana wash away the food remaining in the digestive tract. Those sticky food morsels serve no purpose except to create unnecessary acid. All this along with the added bonus of nutrients like Potassium, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Antioxidants and Phytonutrients.
  3. Ash Gourd: This food item right here is slightly elusive. It belongs to the family of cucumbers. It’s also known as green pumpkin or white melon. The symptoms of acid reflux syndrome can be alleviated by its active principles such as Terpenes, Flavonoid C, Glycosides, and Sterols. They have antioxidant properties that help in inhibiting gastric mucosal damage. Five teaspoons of boiled ash guard along with jaggery 2 times a day is the best way to get instant relief. You can also make juice, raita or sabji.
  4. Raisins: Despite their tiny size, raisins pack a punch full of nutrition! The fiber in it absorbs excess stomach acid. Raisins also contain minerals such as potassium, magnesium, copper and iron which help in balancing acid levels as these minerals are alkaline or basic on the pH scale. Soak 10-15 raisins in water overnight and consume them as first thing in the morning (along with the water).
  5. Potatoes: Bland starches are a good choice when it comes to foods that are easy on the stomach linings. Potatoes contain easily digestible fiber that can help neutralize stomach acid. Potato is naturally alkaline, rich in potassium salt which helps restrict acidity. Try baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes only and strictly avoid the fried ones.

It’s always best to use the most natural and easily accessible solutions possible. The above foods not only provide relief from acid reflux but also contribute to a healthy lifestyle! Try them now if you’re facing this condition and let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 

For more information on acidity and acid reflux, check out Healthy Reads or ask your GOQii Coach directly by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health. Images shown are for representation purposes only and may not depict the exact recommendations or outcomes.

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5 Foods That Will Help You Avoid Acidity

avoid acidityDay in and day out, most of us experience acidity due to an erratic lifestyle, wrong postures, no time to have meals, eating junk or spicy food outside. Acidity is also known as heartburn. Do you know why? Because it actually feels like your chest is on fire! Acidity can be a serious mood killer in any circumstance and it can happen to anybody irrespective of age. So exactly can you avoid acidity? Before we answer that, let’s look at some common triggers: 

  • Staying on empty stomach for too long
  • Having too many cups of tea or coffee a day 
  • Spicy street food
  • Deep fried oily food
  • Junk food consumption containing refined flour
  • Frequent restaurant visits

What Can You Do To Avoid Acidity? 

To avoid acidity, you need to first avoid the above triggers. You can also try these 5 foods below which help in relieving acidity. 

  1. Bananas: This fruit is easily available throughout the year. Its high fiber content strengthens the digestive system. Pectin, found in bananas, moves the residues through the digestive tract which actually helps one avoid acidity. 
  2. Ginger: is a natural treatment for acidity due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger juice can be extracted and 2-3 drops or 1tsp of ginger juice can be consumed as ginger shot post meals to relieve acidity. Another way to consume ginger is by making ginger tea.
  3. Yogurt: also has a soothing effect on our digestive system as it helps coating the lining of the digestive tract. Also it contains probiotics which are healthy gut bacteria that aid digestion. Consuming curd/yogurt is a proven remedy for acid reflux. 
  4. Aloe Vera: not only soothes the skin but our gut as well. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps you avoid acidity. Drink 5-10ml of aloe vera juice everyday on an empty stomach for good results.
  5. Fennel Seeds (Saunf): are loaded with anti-inflammatory properties and they also aid good digestion, reducing the symptoms of acidity easily. Consume about 1tsp of fennel seeds post meals. It will not only improve digestion, but also help you fight against acidity. It works great as a good mouth freshener too.

So keep these easily available foods ready with you to avoid acidity. Do remember to avoid the triggers as well, as prevention is always better than cure. We hope this article helps you. If you’re suffering from acidity, try them out and let us know your experience in the comments below.

For more home remedies on acidity, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

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Your Guide For A Happy Gut: Say bye to bloating, acidity and heartburn

Gut health Your body is constantly communicating with you. Very small episodes of acidity, bloating, indigestion, etc. says a lot about your lifestyle and overall health. Are you paying attention? It is important for us to know that about 70% of the immune system is located in our gut and the gut absorbs nutrients that support body functions from energy production to hormone balance, skin health to mental health and toxin & waste elimination too.

So how can you keep your gut healthy? Well, follow this guide for a happy gut to stay healthy!

Easy Guide For A Happy Gut 

  1. Fennel Seeds or Saunf: These seeds have antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory properties and promote the production of gastric enzymes. It works wonderfully against indigestion, bloating, acidity, heartburn post meals and constipation too. Just add 1 tbsp of raw seeds to the water bottle you carry to office or have 1 glass of fennel seed water post meals to take care of such symptoms.
  2. Basil Seeds: They work well in relieving constipation, bloating, naturally detox your body and help regulate smooth bowel movements. It works as a natural coolant. You can have a glass of milk with basil seeds few hours before bed time, or make a drink with water, honey and basil seeds and have it in mid-morning, or just make a habit of soaking it for 2-3 hours and drinking the water in the morning.
  3. Fenugreek Seeds: These are rich in fiber and antioxidants, and help in enhancing bowel movement. Take a tsp of fenugreek seeds and soak it in 1 cup of water at night and have it in the morning with a glass of lukewarm water if you have long term problems of constipation, indigestion or heartburn. *People experiencing severe acidity should avoid this.
  4. Lemon Ginger Water: This will help strengthen the digestive system and prevent indigestion, nausea, heartburn and bloating. Take a glass of lukewarm water, add 1 tsp of lemon juice and 1 tsp of ginger juice in it. This will work best for bloating post meals or occasional bloating post heavy meals.
  5. Apple Cider Vinegar: The unfiltered, unpasteurized and raw mother Apple Cider Vinegar has live micro-organisms and help to work towards heartburn & GI stress. A dilution of Apple Cider Vinegar before a meal can help you stimulate acid secretion and reduce gut symptoms. Also, having a tbsp of ACV in 300 ml water in the morning can also help in the same.
  6. Water: Is the body’s basic requirement! A constant supply of water is necessary to replenish the fluids lost through activities such as respiration, perspiration, urination, regulating body temperature, digesting food, etc. Try to drink at least 2-2.5L of water throughout the day and it is the answer to all your digestive issues.
  7. Vegetables & Fruits: Having 1 portion of vegetables in every meal is the best way to help your gut digest the food well and have enough nutrients. Plus, the fiber from them helps to ease bowel movement and acts as food for micro-organisms. Fruits are best to go for in mid meals to add more soluble fiber and get rid of acidity and bloating.
  8. Physical Activity: No escape here. Being physically active for 30-45mins is the answer to good health and a happy gut. Exercise gets your heart pumping and increases blood flow and oxygen circulation throughout the body. Blood and oxygen are necessary to aid digestion and keep the intestinal muscles healthy. So for constipation, bloating, acidity, heartburn, etc. including some walking, cycling, yoga, etc. will give you better results.
  9. No Sugar: Processed sugar, refined flour, fried and processed food should be avoided as they are not good for your gut microbes.

Just follow these simple tips for a happy gut! If this article helped you, let us know your thoughts in the comments below. You can find more articles like this on Gut Health here. If you want expert advice or further guidance on improving digestive or gut health, speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

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Ashima Dalela Beats Gut Health Issues and Anxiety With GOQii

Ashima Dalela

You might have heard the saying, “Almost all diseases begin in the gut.” If gut health issues are left unchecked, it can get worse and affect your mental health too. Our Player Ashima Dalela suffered from gut health issues which led to severe anxiety and she visited around 15 doctors who were unable to identify the cause. But, she was able to fix the issue with simple lifestyle changes suggested by her GOQii Coach. How did she tackle her gut and anxiety issue? Let’s find out! 

Life Before GOQii 

Ashima Dalela is a young working professional based in Ghaziabad. For the longest time, she suffered from stomach issues and anxiety. Multiple doctors were unable to diagnose what was wrong, with some saying it was GERD and stomach infection. One doctor told her that it was IBS and her gut problem has combined with anxiety. Finally, one of the doctors she visited suggested GOQii. 

Identifying the Issue & Making Lifestyle Changes 

Since she onboarded, Coach Meenakshi was assigned to Ashima Dalela. Coach Meenakshi began by tackling the stomach issues and acidity. She prescribed specific foods to improve her gut health. She coupled nutrition with exercises such as asanas for the stomach, all of which slowly and steadily brought about a change. 

Initially, Ashima faced some difficulty in walking. So she was tasked with completing 2k steps a day. She was also skipping meals due to her situation and her condition was only getting worse. Despite some hurdles, Ashima stuck to the habits given by her GOQii Coach. Thanks to her dedication and her GOQii Coach’s constant motivation, she was able to fix her gut health issue as well as her anxiety. She now enjoys the live sessions on the app and always browses through Healthy Reads. She also enrolls for challenges within the app. 

Initially, her mother was skeptical about the coaching aspect but after seeing positive results, she is convinced that the coaching works. In fact, the entire family has adopted healthy habits. Her goal now is to stay active and gain healthy weight. 

 What Are Coach Meenakshi’s Thoughts About Ashima Dalela’s Journey? 

When Ashima came on board, she was very nervous about her health issues. She wanted to control:

  • GERD with symptoms like acidity in the morning, vomiting sensation, stomach upset, burning sensation, bloating and gas after meals 
  • Anxiety (20%, 1-2 anxiety attacks in a month because of health problems related to the gut) with symptoms like dizziness, increased heartbeat and numbness in hands and legs.

Now, her GERD has reduced by 95% without any symptoms after introducing habits like lemon water, detox water, eating slowly, adding curd, rice, kanji, etc. Anxiety levels reduced by 95% without any symptoms. Now, she can cope easily with any arguments/bad news. 

She has been practicing meditation, deep breathing and is generally more positive. Ashima doesn’t feel stress and anxiety while handling physical, mental and emotionally taxing situations. 

We changed to a new health goal on 15 August 2020 as she wanted to be more active in 3 months as she was unable to do any activity in the morning and evening because of work. She felt lethargic in the evening after office work. She was also facing haemorrhoid issues and irregular cycles. 

She feels 85% improvement in activeness with asanas, exercise and daily walks. Her bowel movement is fine with more water and salad intake. Menstrual cycle also continues now in September with the habit of seed cycle.

We’re now working with a new health goal from 10 March, 2021 – She wants to gain weight up to 53kg (weight was 50kg on March 10). Her current weight is 51kg thanks to the added habits of eating nuts and seeds, post workout meals and employing strengthening exercises.

To take a glimpse into Ashima’s inspiring journey with GOQii, watch her GOQii Health Story session with our Founder and CEO Vishal Gondal along with her GOQii Coach Meenakshi, Doctor Viral Thakkar and Divya Thampi here – 

If you suffer from similar issues or know someone who does, share this article with them and subscribe to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here. 

Find more inspiring health stories here.

#BeTheForce  

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