Indigestion and gas is a common ailment that affects everyone once in a while, especially those who eat spicy and fatty food. It is an uncomfortable feeling with gastrointestinal problems like bloating, flatulence, belching and pain in abdomen/chest. Gas is created in the stomach, when the broken food stays there for too long, without passing through the digestive tract.
The gas puts pressure on the esophagus which is supposed to stay closed to prevent reflux. The pressure opens the esophagus which causes digestive acids to splash out, thus leading to heartburn or dyspepsia and other problems related to acid reflux.
Preventing indigestion
Eat healthy food that does not strain the digestive tract, besides avoiding binging on food. Drinking hot water after a heavy meal helps in controlling indigestion and gas. You can also drink a cup of hot tea or coffee to enable the digestion of food. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 tsp of either apple cider vinegar or lemon to a glass of water and consume it half an hour before eating heavy meals. It aids in digestion of the food easily.
Though exercise is good, it is unhealthy if you exercise immediately after a meal. Quit smoking and drinking as it contribute to indigestion and gas. Include fresh fruits, especially papaya, apple and pineapple in your diet.
Ginger in any form
Ginger consumed in any form, like tea, candy or raw helps in relieving gas and acid reflux. Ginger juice when mixed with honey following a heavy non-vegetarian meal is best remedy to keep the digestive tract running smoothly.
Garlic and vinegar
Garlic is another excellent remedy for stomach disorders. No wonder, ginger-garlic paste is added to most of the heavy non-vegetarian dishes. Fill half a jar with apple cider vinegar. Clean garlic cloves, add them to the apple cider vinegar and store it in refrigerator. This is the best first aid for digestive disorders.
Consuming 1 tbsp of the vinegar will give quick relief from indigestion, as the antiseptic property of garlic will remove bacteria from the digestive tract which could be causing gastritis, whereas the apple cider vinegar will balance the pH of stomach.
Cinnamon tea
The cinnamon ginger tea provides quick relief from the embarrassing bloated stomach, accompanied by flatulence. Boil two cups of water and add 2 inches of cinnamon stick, 1 inch crushed fresh ginger and few peppermint leaves to it. Continue to boil the concoction on low fire for 2-3 minutes. Allow it to steep for some time. Strain the mixture and drink the hot tea to get quick relief from stomach pain, gas and indigestion. Cinnamon is known to control gas in the stomach, whereas ginger and peppermint can enhance the digestion, thus calming the stomach.
Baking soda
Baking soda works as an excellent antacid, relieving digestive disorders caused due to high level of acid in stomach. Add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water and drink this after meal, or when you feel bloating in the stomach. Though it is an effective remedy for gas and acidity, it should not be consumed too often to protect the stomach from its harmful side-effects.
