Acidity : Prevention & Root cause

It's probably not excess acid. 90% of Acidity cases are not caused by your stomach producing too much acid. The problem usually lies elsewhere. It could be because

• Your food pipe is inflamed or irritated.
• The valve between your food pipe and stomach (LES) isn't closing properly.
• Excess pressure from belly fat is pushing acid upwards.

Instead of reaching for an antacid every time, start by fixing the root cause. Here are 10 things that make a Real Difference

• Sleep by 10–11 PM consistently.
• Finish dinner at least 2.5–3 hours before bed.
• Chew every bite 50–60 times. Saliva contains natural bicarbonate that helps neutralize acid.
• Avoid heavy, fatty meals and overeating. Give your digestive system a break.
• Reduce belly fat to lower pressure on the stomach.
• Walk after meals and include some stair climbing later.
• Practice diaphragmatic breathing to strengthen the natural valve that prevents reflux.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol.
• Identify your trigger foods coffee, chocolate, tomatoes, citrus fruits or fizzy drinks and eliminate them for a few weeks.
• Improve gut health with more vegetables and fibre. A green smoothie in the morning can help.

If symptoms still persist despite these changes, antacids can be very effective but they shouldn't be taken continuously without medical advice. If your acidity doesn't improve within 30 days, it's time to consult a doctor.

Sometimes, the solution isn't to suppress the acid. It's to remove the reason the acid is coming up in the first place.