Indigestion is a common problem. It is generally defined as discomfort, heartburn, bloating, gas, or pain in the upper gastrointestinal tract. It is estimated that around 20% of the population regularly suffers from indigestion.
Although it is not always possible to determine their specific causes, many of them can be ruled out. For example, a common cause is the overgrowth of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori in the stomach. Peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux can often cause heartburn as well. If you have chronic digestive problems, it is always best to seek the help of a doctor.
Natural remedies for indigestion
However, in many cases where a person suffers from indigestion without any identifiable cause, There are several natural treatments that may offer potential benefit.
1. The benefits of probiotics for digestion
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria or yeast commonly used to combat indigestion symptoms. The gastrointestinal tract is lined with bacteria that can perform an auxiliary function in digestion. If something goes wrong and certain troublesome bacteria overgrow, symptoms of indigestion can occur.
Taking probiotics is an easy way to boost your immune system and help rid your body of troublesome bacteria.
There are many brands of probiotics on the market in a variety of forms, making choosing a specific product a daunting task. As a general rule, it is best to choose a product that contains well-studied strains of bacteria that have passed clinical trials. If one brand of probiotics doesn’t help, another product with different bacterial strains may still work.
2. Digestive Enzymes
The intake of digestive enzymes is a way to support the digestion process of food to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of indigestion. Digestion is a complex process that begins in the mouth and ends in the small intestine, where most nutrients are ultimately absorbed.
Since digestion is a complex process, it can often fail. Poorly digested food can provide food for bacteria in the GI tract, which in turn can cause or exacerbate GI symptoms. By taking digestive enzymes and thus aiding digestion, the process of digesting food can be restored and symptoms reduced.
3. Add lots of fiber
Although it is often associated with this, fiber is not only useful for constipation. In fact, studies show that dietary fiber reduces the risk of death from all causes by 11% for every increase in fiber intake of 10 grams per day.
It has been shown that fiber has possible benefits for weight loss and blood sugar control. It even helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
4. Mint
Peppermint has long been used as a soothing herbal remedy for the digestive system. Known for its antispasmodic effect, mint relaxes the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and has a mild analgesic effect. Additionally, mint has antibacterial and antiviral properties, which may be due to its effect on the flora of the gastrointestinal tract.
Studies examining the use of peppermint oil for irritable bowel syndrome have generally found significant results in reducing the symptoms of the disease. These studies used enteric-coated capsules containing peppermint oil. Capsules with this shell prevent the release of oil in the stomach and instead send it to the small intestine.
For indigestion, it has also been found that combination of peppermint oil and cumin oil in one capsule enteric-coated is effective in relieving symptoms. In one study, discomfort and pain in the upper abdomen improved significantly after four weeks of treatment.
While peppermint oil is generally quite safe, some people experience heartburn when using it. For this reason, caution should be exercised when using peppermint oil for those who suffer from heartburn regularly.
5. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an old folk remedy for just about everything. If you search the internet, you can find stories from people about how apple cider vinegar has helped them with almost any symptom or illness. And while its best-studied effect is lowering blood sugar, studies also show that apple cider vinegar may be helpful in lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides.
Because apple cider vinegar is a fermented product, it usually contains some probiotic organisms when raw, which can also help with digestive symptoms. To get the most out of apple cider vinegar, I generally recommend using it raw, unless the person is immunocompromised.