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How often than not have you simply complained about having a bloated stomach with abdominal pain surging from the lower abdomen towards the chest area? Do you find yourself in such conditions often? If your answer to these questions were that of affirmation, there are chances that you are suffering from sour stomach, otherwise known as indigestion in common terms and dyspepsia in medical terms (R). Sour stomach is one of the most commonly witnessed ailments and is more of a condition than a disease.
Sour stomach is primarily characterized by consistent bloating accompanies with nausea and burping. All these symptoms tend to happen simultaneously which is why the suffering individual often withdraws and shies away from food during such conditions. While this may not seem like a huge dent in comparison to the list of diseases that people often contract, the persistent neglect towards this problem that cause issues with the digestive system and even causes ulcers in the long haul.
In order to avoid such issues, we have sorted out the top 20 sour stomach remedies that can bring relief to the discomfort.
What is Sour Stomach?
For a better explanation, a sour stomach is not a disease particularly but a cumulative bunch of symptoms that bring about uneasiness and discomfort, primarily in the abdominal region and the stomach. It is often times an acute condition and is recurrent in a few individuals. Dyspepsia (indigestion or sour stomach) is primarily caused due to improper food consumption or even due to physiological conditions like a hiatus hernia(R). If the symptoms are persistent, it is always best to consult a physician and get an endoscopy done to find the root cause of the signs and symptoms.
What Causes Sour Stomach?
As mentioned before, sour stomach is the conditional problems attached to the disturbances and issues caused to the gastrointestinal system of the body. If generalized, the primary cause of indigestion or sour stomach is caused by the accumulation of stomach acids in the gastrointestinal tract due to lack of proper digestion of the ingested food(R). In some special cases, even the lack of food tends to cause the issues related to dyspepsia or sour stomach.
If you are in search of the common causes of sour stomach, here are the top 12 to look into:
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- Overeating
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- Consumption of spicy or very greasy food
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- Eating without chewing the food properly
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- Rigorous physical and strenuous activity after a meal
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- Extensive intake of any kind of carbonated drinks
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- A few food sub-categories like lemon, tomato, onions etc.
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- During pregnancy
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- Consumption of excess alcohol or even chocolate
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- Obesity or excess accumulation of fat
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- Lying face down after consumption of a meal
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- Excess caffeine consumption
- Intake of medications including anti-inflammatory and steroidal
Signs and Symptoms of Sour Stomach
Sour stomach can be characterized by a number of common signs and symptoms. It has similar kind of symptoms in almost all the cases which are why it is best to cater to the problems before they take shape of an even bigger ailment like stomach ulcer or worse, affect the digestive tract on a whole(R).
Some of the common signs and symptoms of sour stomach or upset stomach include:
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- Persistent Abdominal pain
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- Nausea and a queasy feeling
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- Feeling of satiety even with little to no food in the stomach
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- Stomach Bloating
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- Problem with swallowing of food
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- Belching
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- Chest pain
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- Sweating and palpitation
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- Black or dark coloured stools
- Shortness of breath and heavy breathing
How to Get Rid of Sour Stomach?
Sour stomach is a condition which is persistent in a number of individuals and recurring in others. This is why it is necessary to ensure that you opt for the correct remedies to get rid of sour stomach because the persistent symptoms can inflict negative impacts in the body. The prevention of sour stomach is completely dependent on the severeness as well as the kind of treatment that one prefers – it can be the conventional medicinal way or even the home remedies.
There are a number of ways that one can get rid of upset stomach, the majority of the same being covered by the home remedies because they do not just provide with effective results for sour stomach relief for but ensure to do without imposing any kind of negative side effects on the body.
The treatment of sour stomach heavily depends on the kind of symptoms that it is inflicting. If the symptoms are preliminary and not that serious, it can be easily treated with a little change in one’s lifestyle. A change in diet and food habits can easily affect and cure the signs and symptoms related to sour stomach.
Although, if the symptoms are persistent and on the severe end, it is best to opt for immediate medical help and not just rely on the natural remedies for sour stomach. Some of the common medical treatments offered as a remedy for sour stomach include antacids, H-2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) as well (R).
Home Remedies for Sour Stomach
The treatment of indigestion or sour stomach is best achieved with the array of home remedies that actually provide with astounding benefits and results. If you are looking for an easy yet effective remedy for sour stomach, the home remedies using the natural ingredients lying around the house can actually provide with amazing results and that too in a record time.
In order to make this process a bit easier for everyone reading this, we have jotted down the most effective remedies for sour stomach, categorized under food, juices, and teas.
Check Out the Most Popular Self Care Tips On Sour Stomach
1. Apple Cider Vinegar for Sour Stomach
Sour stomach is primarily caused due to the accumulation of the excess stomach acids with is what causes heart burns and uneasiness in the abdominal region (R). It is suggested that the consumption of apple cider vinegar helps in neutralizing the effects of the acid in the stomach which is what reduces the symptoms of a sour stomach. Not just that, the enzymes produced during the fermentation of the apple cider vinegar helps in the breakdown of food which further improves the digestion (R).
How To Use:
For consumption, Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink it. If the taste of apple cider vinegar is way too overwhelming for you, just ensure to add a tablespoon of honey to the solution and it should balance out the sourness of the vinegar.
[Read More Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey]
2. Baking Soda for Sour Stomach
Baking soda (NAHCO3) is one of the best home remedies for sour stomach and one of the most common one as well. Baking soda is primarily a basic compound which when reacts with the excess acid in the stomach, helps neutralize it and in turn forms a mixture of salt and water which is either excreted or absorbed by the body.
How To Do:
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- For consumption, add 1/4th of a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water
- Mix it well till everything dissolves.
Drink this if you witness symptoms of sour stomach and that should do the trick and help get rid of sour stomach.
3. Activated Charcoal for Sour Stomach
Unlike the normal charcoal, the activated charcoal is safe for consumption without any kind of negative side effects. It is deemed safe and categorized under food grade. With that being said, are you still wondering how this provides with sour stomach relief? Activated Charcoal helps by alleviating the issues caused by the excess stomach acid by binding to the acid molecules and breaking them down. This reduces the levels of acid in the stomach which gradually helps get rid of the symptoms attached with a sour stomach.
As the activated charcoal have an increased affinity towards absorption, it is best to just take the activated charcoal tablets in between meals, whenever necessary, making sure that there is at least a difference of two or three hours between the meals consumption and the intake of the tablet.
4. Cinnamon for Sour Stomach
Cinnamon has had a prevailing effect as one of the best natural remedies for sour stomach. Its carminative property is one of the primary reasons why it is used as an ingredient for the treatment of sour stomach. If you are not familiar with the term, carminative is the property of a substance that helps in breaking up the gas that’s often formed in the gastrointestinal tract. Cinnamon has that property which is why it is an amazing agent for curing the signs of indigestion.
For consumption, mix one teaspoon of cinnamon in one glass of water and mix it well. Sip on this drink and that should help alleviate the issues within a few minutes itself. Try consuming the same after an hour or so to help get rid of it completely.
Foods for Sour Stomach
Food and the consumption of it plays a pivotal role in ensuring a good gut health of a person. If your diet is not healthy enough, there are chances that you are going to be affected a lot with conditions like that of sour stomach and indigestion. In order to avoid an upset stomach or treat it, we have enlisted some of the most common foods that helps provide with relief from such conditions.
5. Papaya for Sour Stomach
Papaya is one of the most sought after food items with regards to treating sour stomach and the symptoms that accompany indigestion. Eating ripe papaya helps in ensuring proper digestion of food and restricts the inception of indigestion in the gut (R). The primary reason behind the same is because of the presence of the two enzymes papain and chymopapain which promotes the smooth breakdown of the protein molecules in the ingested food, thus encouraging easier digestion and smoother absorption and thus ensuring the proper maintenance of the pH of the stomach and the entire gastrointestinal system.
For consumption, eat cut slices of papaya two or three hours after a meal or just as a snack in between meals. Make sure that they are well-ripened papayas and not unripe because it may cause adverse effects if you are already suffering from sour stomach or indigestion.
6. Ginger Ale for Sour Stomach
Although there are facts that back up the fact that the consumption of ginger ale can help with the signs and symptoms of nausea and vomiting, there are still questionable proofs when it comes to treatment of sour stomach. Most of the experts suggest that it is best to keep it as a last resort to treat the accompanying symptoms of nausea during indigestion because, at the end of the day, ginger ale is a carbonated drink which can worsen the condition of stomach bloating which is definitely not something you want (R).
For consumption, the permissible amount of nothing more than 250mg or 1 gram consumed throughout the day, in intervals of four.
7. Yogurt for Sour Stomach
If you are someone who doesn’t have any kind of lactose intolerance, the consumption can definitely help with the situation of a sour stomach. The probiotic enzymes present in the yogurt helps in encouraging the proper digestion of the food, which, in turn, ensures to keep the pH levels of the gastrointestinal system in check, thereby, keeping upset stomach at bay (R).
For consumption, you can use it as a condiment for your food items or even just eat a small bowl of yogurt at the end of the meal. If you are not accustomed with the sourness, add a bit of sugar to it but it is always best to avoid any additive and consume it as it is.
8. Artichoke Leaves for Sour Stomach
Although there are no solid reasons to back up the claims regarding how an artichoke leaf actually works to alleviate the symptoms of sour stomach, it has been proven that it helps cure some of the accessory symptoms that come along with upset stomach and indigestion like that of bloating, nausea and uneasiness around the abdominal region of the body.
For consumption, cut and clean all the feathery parts of an artichoke and steam or stew it in a broth and eat the leaves. It is always best to keep the stew as light as possible, avoiding any kind of heavy spices and such because the same can make the condition of indigestion even worse.
9. Banana for Sour Stomach
Banana is an amazing natural remedy for the treatment of a number of stomach ailments. It is amazing in aiding the process of digestion and the considerable amount of pectin in the fruit also helps in treating the signs related to constipation and hardened stool. It also has a good amount of water content which further helps in treating the signs and symptoms that one face during upset stomach.
For consumption, bananas can be consumed as a part of breakfast, as a snack or even just anytime one feels hungry. It is best to avoid eating a banana right after a heavy meal.
10. Charred Toast for Sour Stomach
Consumption of charred toast for sour stomach relief has a conundrum effect. While some actually believe that it works, some tend to be skeptical about it. That being said, it is believed that charred toast contains charcoal which is what helps in absorbing the excess acids and gas that forms in the gastrointestinal system. But, it is always best to avoid burnt food because the same is believed to have carcinogenic properties which can cause cancer with persistent consumption of it.
For consumption, char a piece of bread under a direct flame and let it cool for a few minutes and then eat it. It is best to wash away your palate with water after eating it because it leaves behind a bad aftertaste.
11. Milk for Sour Stomach
If you are lactose intolerant, this remedy is not for you at all but if you are fine with digesting milk easily and without any hassle, it is best to give this a shot. Sour stomach can be a very irritating problem whose persistent presence can affect one’s overall health. In order to treat the signs and symptoms, milk is one of the best home remedies for sour stomach (R). Make sure that you are opting for cold milk and not hot or even warm.
For consumption, drink a glass of cold milk to alleviate the symptoms of nausea and an unsettling feeling in the stomach. The milk not just helps in providing with necessary nutrients but also acts as a buffer between the stomach wall lining and the acid.
[Read More Milk for Acid Reflux]
12. Oatmeal for Sour Stomach
If you are suffering from consistent issues with your stomach and eating feels like a chore, try switching up your normal diet with oats. Oats doesn’t have any kind of exceptional effects or such but are easy to digest which is why it is a great food item to consume when you are suffering from an upset stomach. Even the high fibre content in the oats helps in ensuring proper stool formation and defecation.
For consumption, boil a substantial amount of oats along with milk (or water if you are lactose intolerant) and make porridge of it. Add some fruits and nuts for taste and eat it as breakfast or even as a meal alternative if you don’t feel like eating anything heavy.
Juices for Sour Stomach
Sour Stomach not just results in causing nausea and vomiting, it often times results in dehydration of the body followed by lack of nutrients in the body. This is primarily caused due to the lack of food intake during conditions like bloating and such. These lost nutrients from the body can be effectively replenished with the intake of juices, and especially the freshly squeezed juices and not the pre packaged ones.
13. Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera juice is great as a remedy for sour stomach and the symptoms that come along with it like bloating, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome and such. The Aloe Vera Juice helps in getting rid of these symptoms by cleansing the entire gastrointestinal tract and ensuring that there are no colonic deposition in the tract which often times is the major cause of indigestion(R).
14. Apple Juice
Apple juice one of the primary causes of indigestion is the consumption of excess food which is what ends in not being properly digested and absorbed, which, in turn, causes the issues with an upset stomach. If you are looking for ways to get rid of sour stomach, freshly squeezed apple juice is definitely a good option. The presence of pectin in it helps in proper digestion and breakdown of the ingested food, thereby, promoting better gut health.
15. Orange Juice
Orange juice citrus is not the ideal choice when someone is suffering from sour stomach but drinking freshly squeezed orange juice after a meal can help cure the symptoms like nausea and bloating. It is best to avoid drinking orange juice in an empty stomach when you are already suffering from an upset stomach (R).
16. Carrot Juice
Carrot juice if you didn’t know before, carrots are rich in phytonutrients, carotenoids, and polyphenols which together have an amazing effect on the treatment of sour stomach (R). It has remedial and anti-oxidant properties which make it ideal for treating the various symptoms of upset stomach, especially bloating and uneasiness.
Teas for Sour Stomach
It doesn’t necessarily have to be one’s diet that affects the process of digestion, thus causing sour stomach. There can be a number of other reasons too, stress and anxiety being two of the most common ones. Being stressed because of a situation tends to change the physiological implications of a body that often leads to the sour stomach. The spiked stress levels often tends to create an imbalance in the hormonal levels that inflict negative impacts on the body, indigestion and sour stomach being two of the most common instances.
Tea is an amazing remedy when it comes to providing relief from sour stomach symptoms. This alleviates the symptoms including stomach bloating and even the signs of nausea and uneasiness. There are a few varieties of tea that helps with sour stomach and the same have been enlisted below.
Some of the most common variants of tea that helps with indigestion include:
Teas have their own beneficial properties, while green tea is rich in anti-oxidants, chamomile tea is rich in terpenoids which have a soothing and calming effect on the digestive system of the body. Ginger tea, on the other hand, aids with the process of digestion itself, thus ensuring to uproot the problem right from the cause itself. If you are seeking the natural remedies for sour stomach, opt for the consumption of tea because it is definitely effective in relieving one’s self from the signs and symptoms of dyspepsia.
Foods to Avoid
Now that we have covered the home remedies for a sour stomach that actually provide with proven results, it is best to move onto the section where we talk about what to avoid religiously to not worsen the situation than it already is. It is best to go through this list of foods that one needs to avoid at all costs if they wish to get rid of sour stomach.
The top foods to avoid during upset stomach include:
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- Refined Sugar
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- Alcohol
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- Carbonated or fizzy drinks
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- Dairy products (except for cold milk and yogurt, if not lactose intolerant)
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- Any form of caffeine and chocolate
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- Highly acidic foods
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- Fatty and greasy foods
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- Spicy food
- Processed and canned food products
Sour Stomach is often dependant on one’s lifestyle and food habit and it is always best to stay wary of the situations and symptoms at hand before the situations become worse than it already is. It is always best to lead a healthy lifestyle and imbibe a thorough routine for a better and healthier life, not just for the stomach and the process of digestion but also for the overall well being of an individual.
Food for Thought With Some FAQs
1: How Long Does Sour Stomach Last?
A: The longevity of a sour stomach is completely dependent on the severeness of the condition. If the symptoms have been prolonged for quite some time now, there are chances that the cure of the situation is going to take up a substantial amount of time. On the other hand, if the remedy has been administered right at the start of the symptoms, it is most likely going to get cured within a time frame of a few hours itself.
2: Can Sour Stomach Happen During Pregnancy?
A: There are higher chances of indigestion during pregnancy because of the fact that pregnant women have to cut down on their activities throughout the day which tends to make the muscular capacity down and the same is the case with the muscles of the GI tract as well. The slowed digestion of the food ends up causing a number of symptoms associated with the sour stomach.
3: Can Allergies Cause Upset Stomach?
A: It is a myth that allergies are primarily responsible for the inception of upset stomach in an individual. It is best to understand for a fact that while the allergies can definitely inflict an obstruction, it is most likely just the lack of digestive capability of the system that is causing the sour stomach and not the allergies.
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