How to Reduce Acidity Naturally?
Discover natural ways to reduce acidity with simple lifestyle changes, home remedies, and diet tips that support better digestion and long-term gut health.
Written by Dr. J T Hema Pratima
Reviewed by Dr. Rohinipriyanka Pondugula MBBS
Last updated on 24th Jul, 2025
Introduction
Acidity occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, resulting in discomfort, heartburn, and a burning sensation. Common causes are spicy foods, irregular eating patterns, stress, and certain medications. Occasionally experiencing acidity is normal; however, frequent occurrences necessitate lifestyle changes.
What are the Causes of Acidity?
The three most common causes of acidity include; dietary habits, lifestyle influences, and stress. Let’s understand these factors:
1. Dietary Factors
These are the dietary factors that may influence acidity:
- Spicy, Fried Foods: Excess spice in the food can irritate the stomach lining.
- Citrus Fruits and Tomatoes: Tomatoes, lemons and other citrussy foods are known for their high acid content, which can increase acidity.
- Processed Snacks: Packaged foods like chips or baked items contain preservatives that disrupt digestion.
- Irregular Eating: Skipping meals can disturb digestive rhythms, leading to excess acid production.
2. Lifestyle Influences
Daily habits that can heighten or mitigate acidity include:
- Smoking and Alcohol: Both relax the lower oesophageal sphincter, permitting acid rise.
- Inactive Lifestyle: Lack of movement can slow digestion.
- Stress: Triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol, which can increase acid production.
3. Psychological Stress Impact
Acidity is significantly affected by stress. Let’s understand how:
- Stress Hormone Release: Stress hormones like cortisol can slow down the emptying of the stomach, causing the acid to stay in the stomach for too long. It also triggers excess production of acid in the stomach.
- Poor Digestive Efficiency: Anxiety slows digestion, thereby increasing the risk of gas, bloating and acid reflux.
Consult Top Specialists
How to Reduce Acidity Naturally?
Let’s understand the common ways to reduce acidity naturally:
1. Lifestyle habits
Lifestyle habits that may help reduce acidity naturally include:
- Regular Exercise: Exercise bolsters digestive function and alleviates acidity by increasing movement in the digestive tract. Regular physical activities like walking or yoga assist digestion and reduce stress impacts naturally.
- Smaller, Frequent Meals: Eating in smaller portions helps reduce stomach pressure.
- Stress Management Techniques: To reduce stress, practise meditation, as it helps in calming the mind, or yoga, as it promotes overall relaxation, thereby reducing acid production.
- Sleep and Acidity: Proper sleep posture is pivotal to reduce acidity. Elevate your head to prevent acid reflux at night. Left-side sleeping also helps reduce pressure on the stomach.
- Hydrate Adequately: Sip on lukewarm water to dilute stomach acid.
- Weight Management: Maintain a healthy weight to decrease abdominal pressure.
- Mindful Eating Practices: Chew food slowly and avoid lying down right after eating.
2. Natural Dietary Adjustments
Your diet can affect acid production in your stomach. Certain foods that naturally counteract stomach acid include:
- Bananas: They have natural antacid properties.
- Oatmeal: Provides a protective coating to the stomach.
- Leafy Greens: Their high fibre content assists digestion.
- Coconut Water and Ginger: Helps balance the stomach's pH.
On the other hand, foods to avoid exacerbating acidity include:
- Spicy and Fried Foods: Triggers acid production.
- Citrus Fruits and Tomatoes: They relax the oesophageal sphincter.
- Carbonated Drinks: These elevate stomach pressure.
3. Home Remedies for Acidity Relief
You may also try the following home remedies
:
- Herbal Teas: Ginger and Chamomile tea can help reduce inflammation and soothe irritation. Furthermore, drinking herbal tea after meals also aids in better digestion.
- Alkaline Foods: Include alkaline-rich foods like leafy greens and melons, which help neutralize acidity. Similarly, cucumbers and almonds can soothe the stomach, while bananas act as natural antacids, promoting enhanced digestion.
- Probiotics: Adding probiotics such as yoghurt, kimchi, dosa and buttermilk enhances gut health and reduces acidity.
4. Hydration and Acidity Management
- Proper hydration helps balance stomach acid.
- Sip lukewarm water to help neutralise acid levels.
- Drink herbal teas and coconut water to help soothe the stomach.
Avoid carbonated and caffeinated drinks, as they increase acid reflux. Choose water and herbal teas.
5. Benefits of Alternate Treatment
Alternate treatments that may also aid in dealing with acidity include:
- Yoga asanas: Asanas like vajrasana (thunderbolt pose) and bhujangasana (reclining back-bending asana) can enhance digestion post-meals.
- Ayurvedic remedies and practices: According to Ayurveda, ginger, amla, and coriander water can help ease digestion and balance acidity.
- Breathing exercises: Pranayama is believed to aid digestion and reduce stress, thus lowering acidity. Similarly, Kapalbhati and Anulom Vilom are also believed to improve respiratory and digestive health.
Conclusion
Other than the consistent application of dietary and lifestyle modifications, keeping a food diary & tracking meals helps identify and avoid triggers. Furthermore, regular health check-ups can ensure no underlying health conditions exacerbate acidity. Each individual's triggers may vary; thus, continuous observation and adjustment are necessary.
Consult Top General Physician
Consult Top Specialists
Dr. Swathi Reddy Perugu
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
7 Years • MBBS, MD (General Medicine)
Hyderabad
Health plus, Hyderabad
Dr. Anant Khandelwal
General Practitioner
3 Years • MBBS
Kolkata
Gajanan Multispeciality Clinic, Kolkata
Dr. Rajib Ghose
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
26 Years • MBBS
Kolkata
B Ghose Foundation Doctor's Chamber, Kolkata
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Ashita Kuruvilla
General Practitioner
6 Years • MBBS
Kolkata
KVC CLINIC, Kolkata
Dr. Sougata Kumar
General Practitioner
7 Years • MBBS
East Midnapore
VIVEKANANDA SEBA SADAN, East Midnapore
Consult Top General Physician
Dr. Swathi Reddy Perugu
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
7 Years • MBBS, MD (General Medicine)
Hyderabad
Health plus, Hyderabad
Dr. Anant Khandelwal
General Practitioner
3 Years • MBBS
Kolkata
Gajanan Multispeciality Clinic, Kolkata
Dr. Rajib Ghose
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
26 Years • MBBS
Kolkata
B Ghose Foundation Doctor's Chamber, Kolkata
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Ashita Kuruvilla
General Practitioner
6 Years • MBBS
Kolkata
KVC CLINIC, Kolkata
Dr. Sougata Kumar
General Practitioner
7 Years • MBBS
East Midnapore
VIVEKANANDA SEBA SADAN, East Midnapore
