Heartburn is the quality of acid, that which tastes like green or vinegar. When an excess of acid occurs in the stomach, the person suffers from heartburn, a discomfort that affects various aspects of life.
Heartburn
The regurgitation of gastric acid causes what is known as heartburn, a sense of burning in the esophagus. Some of the foods and drinks that can cause heartburn are red wine, chocolate, caffeinated drinks, mint, coffee and spicy ingredients. Other triggers for this discomfort, which is also known as “heartburn,” are excessive eating, being overweight, nicotine, and pregnancy. When this disorder occurs very often, it is advisable to ask for professional help.
However, as with most discomforts, there is a long list of home remedies and tips to avoid this state of heartburn. The first failure that occurs when suffering from this disorder is that the lower esophageal sphincter, responsible for containing stomach acids, gives way. Certain foods are very effective in preventing this important component of the digestive system from relaxing and giving way to the stomach contents to go up the esophagus; among them are:
- oatmeal: many doctors recommend it especially to patients suffering from heartburn, since it can be eaten at any time of the day and is accessible and nutritious;
- bananas: although their pH level (5.6) makes them ideal for treating this type of gastric discomfort, some people do not seem to get good results from their consumption;
- melon: like bananas, this fruit seems to generate opposing opinions, although most people who consume it to alleviate or avoid heartburn are satisfied with its action;
- fennel: a not very popular vegetable, but in this case it is very effective, and also helps with the digestion process. It should be mentioned that it is a perfect accompaniment to a salad;
- parsley: it does not need presentation, since it is one of the best known and used condiments in cooking, since it is extremely economical and tasty, improves digestion and avoids discomfort such as acidity;
- brown rice: unlike white rice, it is very practical for cold dishes such as salads and is easier to preserve. In this case, it proves to be an excellent food for those who suffer from heartburn.
On the other hand, to calm the acidity, it is advisable to prepare an infusion with boiled water and two tablespoons of anise, and leave it to settle for ten minutes before drinking it. Other homemade recipes include ingredients like lettuce, cloves, and cinnamon.
Other meanings
The term acidity also refers to the amount of free acid found in resins, oils, and wines, which is determined by titration with a basic reagent. The result is expressed in the form of a percentage (%). On the other hand, acidity is the abundance of hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution (compared to the ions present in pure water).
The basicity is the concept that complements the acidity. The pH is the scale that allows, in aqueous solutions, to quantify acidity or basicity. Outside these types of solutions, it is possible to compare the acidity of different elements, such as carbon dioxide, sulfur trioxide and dinitrogen gases.
Two types of acidity can be distinguished: on the one hand, natural acidity is that produced by the natural composition of the substance; instead, the developed acidity is obtained from microbiological, thermal or enzymatic processes that generate acidification of the component.
