How to Cure Acidity Permanently

How to Cure Acidity Permanently: The Gut-Health Blueprint Doctors Won’t Tell You

Acidity, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are familiar conditions that plague millions of people globally. To most, the first fix has always been antacids or prescription drugs, but these medicines merely give short-term relief without healing the core issue. The reality is that to cure acidity permanently, you must learn and heal the core cause—your gut.

In this article, we will see how gut health is closely linked with acidity and give you a gut-health plan to help you get rid of acidity for good. Knowing how your body digests food and following holistic principles of nutrition and living, you can gain control over your digestive health and regain your well-being.

1. Understanding Acidity: The Basics

Acidity is the imbalance of the stomach's acid levels, which is usually excess hydrochloric acid (HCl) being secreted or not regulated properly. It results in discomfort, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, and even acid reflux. Treating acidity with medication alone, like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), still doesn't solve the problem most of the time. Here's a closer look at what's going on within your body.

What Happens During Acidity?

Hydrochloric acid is produced naturally in the stomach to assist in the breakdown of food during digestion. In normal function, the food transfers from the stomach to the small intestine without creating any problem. But if there is too much acid secretion, delayed emptying of the stomach, or dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the acid can reflux into the esophagus and produce the burning feeling known as heartburn.

Although most individuals believe that acidity is a result of excess acid, in fact, low stomach acid or impaired digestion can also play a role. For example, when the stomach is not acidic enough, food will not be digested properly and ferment, releasing gas that leads to bloating and increased pressure on the stomach. 

2. The Hidden Link Between Gut Health and Acidity

Acidity is not merely a matter of the amount of acid being secreted in your stomach—it's more about how well your digestive system is, including your stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and the gut microbiome (the trillions of bacteria and microorganisms that reside in your gut). An impaired gut is usually the underlying cause of acidity. This is why:

1. Gut Dysbiosis (Microbial Imbalance)

Your gut contains trillions of bacteria, both beneficial and pathogenic, which assist in regulating digestion and nutrient uptake. When this equilibrium is upset—referred to as gut dysbiosis—the gut flora becomes unbalanced with the pathogenic bacteria overgrowing. This causes inflammation of the intestines, enhances gas production, and results in leaky gut syndrome—a situation where the lining of the gut gets destroyed.

This results in the passing of toxins and partially digested food into the blood.

Gut dysbiosis may interfere with the management of stomach acid within the body. For instance, pathogenic bacteria will stimulate the inflammation of the lining in the gut, resulting in excessive production of acid and digestive distress.

2. Low Stomach Acid (Hypochlorhydria)

And while most individuals believe that acidity results from excess acid, the reverse is also possible: reduced stomach acid may result in indigestion, bloating, and acid reflux. If there's less stomach acid, food doesn't digest well, resulting in fermentation in the stomach, a buildup of gas, bloating, and pressure. This pressure can propel stomach acid into the esophagus, triggering acid reflux symptoms.

3. Leaky Gut Syndrome and Inflammation

Leaky gut syndrome results when the small intestine lining is damaged so that toxins, undigested food, and bacteria pass through into the blood. This results in chronic inflammation, which can cause a number of digestive problems, including acid reflux. Inflammation in the esophagus and stomach lining also makes the lining more susceptible to acid, causing frequent heartburn.

image credit: FREEPIK

3. The Gut-Health Blueprint to Cure Acidity Forever

Having understood the vital role of gut health in controlling acidity, let's discuss actionable steps you can follow to bring balance to your digestive system and banish acidity forever.

Step 1: Clean Up Your Diet

The foundation of healing acidity for good is a gut-healing diet. Some foods promote production of acid, inflammation in the intestines, and dysbiosis of the gut, while others may heal the gut lining, decrease inflammation, and aid digestion.

1. Foods to Exclude

Processed foods: They tend to have unhealthy fats, sugar, and additives, all of which can interfere with gut flora and cause inflammation.

Citrus fruits and tomatoes: These irritate the lining of the stomach and worsen acidity in some.

Spicy and greasy foods: These irritate the digestive tract and relax the LES, so acid reflux is more likely to occur.

Alcohol and caffeine: Both stimulate the production of stomach acid and cause stomach lining irritation.

2. Gut-Healing Foods to Include

Bone broth: Full of collagen and amino acids such as L-glutamine, bone broth is excellent for repairing the lining of the gut and cutting inflammation.

Vegetables: Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and lettuce are very alkaline and lower acidity.

Fermented foods: Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and kombucha contain high levels of probiotics that restore health to the gut microbiome.

Healthy fats: Foods with omega-3s such as fatty fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts aid in inflammation reduction and gut healing.

Root vegetables: Sweet potatoes, carrots, and zucchini are gentle on the stomach and support gut health.

Step 2: Add Probiotics and Prebiotics

The health of your gut is largely determined by the balance of good and bad bacteria. To restore this balance, focus on adding probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (fiber that feeds beneficial bacteria).

Probiotics

Probiotics are microorganisms that help restore the gut’s natural balance. They are especially helpful if you’ve taken antibiotics or have gut dysbiosis. Here are some of the best probiotic-rich foods:

Kefir

Sauerkraut

Kimchi

Miso

Yogurt (unsweetened)

You can also supplement with high-quality probiotics that contain a mix of bacterial strains to enhance your gut flora.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are the foods that nourish good gut bacteria. Some of these prebiotic-rich foods are:

Garlic

Onions

Leeks

Asparagus

Bananas

Chicory root

Step 3: Restore Stomach Acid Production

Low stomach acid will often be a cause of acidity, as it doesn't allow for adequate digestion and food will tend to remain in the stomach longer and become fermented. Here's how you can restore natural stomach acid levels:

Apple cider vinegar (ACV): A teaspoon of ACV taken in warm water before eating will stimulate acid production and enhance digestion.

Betaine HCl supplements: In case you suspect low stomach acid, Betaine HCl may be used to enhance acidity in the stomach and enhance digestion. A doctor should always be consulted prior to taking supplements.

Digestive bitters: Digestive bitters (e.g., gentian or dandelion root) made from herbs may stimulate acid production and enhance digestion.

Step 4: Repair the Gut Lining

If you have leaky gut syndrome, repairing the gut lining is necessary. Leaky gut is when the protective lining of the small intestine is damaged, and toxins spill into the body. To repair leaky gut:

L-glutamine: An amino acid that's a key building block for gut tissue and enhances repair of the intestinal lining.

Collagen and gelatin: These repair the lining of the gut and curb inflammation.

Zinc: Zinc maintains the integrity of the gut lining and lowers inflammation.

Slippery elm and marshmallow root: These plants cover and calm the digestive system, lowering irritation from acid reflux.

Step 5: Manage Stress and Sleep

Stress is one of the primary causes of digestive problems, including acidity. While you are stressed, your body will release more cortisol, which can cause acid overproduction and inadequate digestion. Stress also helps in inflammation, which can intensify acid reflux.

Stress-Reducing Techniques:

Yoga and diaphragmatic breathing

Mindfulness meditation

Journaling or creative expression

Apart from managing stress, ensure you are having adequate restorative sleep. Go for 7–8 hours of sleep per night, as inadequate sleep can throw digestive health into disarray.

Step 6: Don't Let Common Acidity Triggers Cause Trouble

There are some lifestyle habits and triggers that can make acidity worse. Here are things to avoid:

Large or heavy meals or overeating: Have small, frequent meals to avoid putting pressure on the stomach.

Lying down soon after eating: Do not lie down for a minimum of 30 minutes to enable your stomach to digest food completely.

Smoking and heavy drinking: Both relax the LES and enhance acid reflux.

Wearing tight clothing: Do not wear tight clothes around your waist, as this puts added pressure on your stomach.

4. How Long Will It Take to Cure Acidity?

Healing your gut and curing acidity for good takes time. You may begin to feel some relief in a matter of weeks, but it may take several months to completely restore gut health and experience lasting relief. Stick with the blueprint for gut health and, with time, you will see symptoms subside, digestion improve, and the microbiome become more balanced.

Conclusion: How to Cure Acidity Permanently

Acidity is not something you need to live with permanently. By changing your focus to gut health, you can treat the cause of acidity and no longer need medication. With the right diet, gut support, and lifestyle changes, you can rebalance your digestive system and have permanent relief from acid reflux and heartburn.

The control lies within you—take charge of your gut health and bid acidity goodbye for good.