Heartburn is an uncomfortable and unpleasant condition, caused by stomach acid rising back up towards your throat. It can be triggered by various factors, including spicy or fatty foods, smoking, pregnancy, stress, or anxiety. However, an A&E doctor with over 500,000 followers on TikTok has shared three straightforward ways to combat the problem from the comfort of your own home.
Dr Ahmed's Three Natural Heartburn Remedies
Dr Ahmed, who describes himself as the "healthcare Gordon Ramsay," posted a video addressing the issue. He began by saying: "Shut up and listen. If your stomach is literally trying to Mount Fiji its way out of your mouth, this is what you can try."
1. Seaweed and Kelp
His first suggestion, which he claims has "high-moderate evidence" of effectiveness, centres around foods containing seaweed and kelp. "Seaweed and kelp release a lot of natural alginate inside your stomach," he explained. "It's the stuff that coats your stomach and lower oesophagus, literally protecting it from all the acid that's trying to eat its way through. This is pretty much what a lot of medications like Gaviscon try to do. You can get seaweed and kelp easily from Asian food stores, or you can get preparations of those from places like Holland and Barrett."
2. Oats
His second tip, for which Dr Ahmed stated there is "moderate evidence," involves consuming oats "an hour or so before you go to bed." "Oats are naturally a good fibre source," he said. "What they do is they absorb all that acid and keep it in your stomach, preventing it from going into your throat and causing you to breathe fire. Incorporate oats into your night-time meal, or have them separately, like an hour before bed."
3. Chewing Sugar-Free Gum
Dr Ahmed's third tip, which he said has "strong evidence," involves chewing sugar-free gum. "Chewing gum stimulates you to release your own natural saliva," he explained. "Your natural saliva contains a damn good amount of bicarbonate, which is literally antacid. Chewing gum for 15 to 20 minutes before you go to bed [will] help you release lots of spit and neutralise all that acid in your stomach and you have a good night's sleep." He concluded: "So try those things and tell me how it went. Or don't and get an ulcer. I don't care."
Additional NHS Advice for Managing Heartburn
The NHS also offers several additional tips for managing heartburn. These include consuming smaller, more frequent meals, shedding excess weight if overweight, and discovering relaxation techniques. The NHS further recommends steering clear of foods known to trigger symptoms, avoiding eating three or four hours before bedtime, and not wearing tight clothing around the waist. Smokers are urged to stop, while excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided.
A further suggestion is to elevate the head of your bed by between 10 and 20 cm using wood, bricks, or books, ensuring your head and chest remain higher than your waist. This helps stop stomach acid from rising up into your throat. Attempting to replicate this effect by propping yourself up with pillows can actually aggravate the problem. Your GP is also able to prescribe medications should you require them.
