Acidity refers to a set of symptoms caused due to excess acid production in the stomach. The stomach normally secretes acid that is essential for the digestive process. This acid helps in breaking down the food during digestion. When there is excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach, it results in acidity.
Acidity is responsible for symptoms like dyspepsia, heartburn and the formation of ulcers (erosion of the lining of the stomach or intestines).
How does excess acidity affect us?
• Physical and mental exhaustion by mid afternoon or evening
• Immune system gets disturbed, so frequent colds, headache, flu, and infections.
• Weak digestive power resulting in flatulence (bloated feeling) and discomfort.
• Sleep pattern is disturbed- no deep relaxing sleep.
• Vitamins and minerals are not absorbed well.
Why do we get acidity?
Main causes include lifestyle, diet and environment.
• Mental and physical stress disturbs the acid-alkaline balance.
• Irregular food timings, skipping a meal and overeating in the next meal.
• Coffee after a meal disturbs digestion and makes the stomach acidic. Drinking excess coffee throughout the day also causes acidity.
• Eating more acidic foods (urban diet is highly acidic).
Category of acidic and alkaline foods for better understanding:
Acidic foods:
1. Unripe fruits, dry fruits
2. Dried lentils, onions, tomatoes, excess potato
3. All cereals (rice, ragi, wheat, bajra,etc)
4. Pasteurised milk, cheese, paneer
5. All meat, eggs
6. Coffee, alcohol, tobacco, sauces, vinegar, jams , frozen foods, deep fried snacks, sugary foods.
7. Roasted and fried nuts, dry coconut, groundnut
Alkaline foods
1. Fresh and ripe fruits
2. Fresh vegetables
3. Raw milk, buttermilk, cow ghee.
4. Honey, ginger, herbal tea
5. Almonds, walnuts, pista
Looking at the above list, we can understand that we are eating in the wrong way - filling up our plates with more acidic foods than alkaline. Consumption of such huge quantities of acidic foods causes disturbance in the digestive system leading to a series of health problems.
Guidelines for better health and less digestive problems:
• Maintain a diet with 75% alkaline and 25% acidic foods. In simple words increase the intake of fresh fruits, vegetables and buttermilk and reduce quantity of cereals, meat, coffee, and restaurant foods.
• Have a combination meal where you have Cereals, dals (both together 25%) and cooked vegetables (75%) everyday to nourish your cells.
• Be reasonable and consume meats (always with vegetables for better digestibility), and eggs in the ratio mentioned.
• Avoid eating left over refrigerated foods, sour idli/dosa batter, frozen, ready to eat foods as much as possible as they are highly acidic.
• Soak 1 tsp. Methi (fenugreek) seeds in 2 tbsp. water overnight (for at least 8 hrs.). Drink the water next morning on an empty stomach and chew the methi seeds. It reduces stomach acidity and can relieve acid reflux and gassy buildup.
• Yoga has been proven to heal the digestive tract and treat acidity, heartburns and to buffer the acids in the stomach lining. Learn yogasanas from a qualified yoga instructor to maintain the right balance and to have a natural vibrant health.
-By,
Prabha Krishna