MANAGING ACIDITY – DIET & LIFESTYLE REMEDIES

The human body is a finely tuned system, and maintaining the right balance of acid and alkaline levels is important for proper digestion. Different parts of the digestive tract have different pH levels.

- Rajiv Ambat

For example, the stomach needs to be acidic to break down food, while the intestines are more alkaline to absorb nutrients.

When this balance is disturbed, especially when stomach acid becomes excessive or moves upward into the food pipe, it leads to acidity. This can cause symptoms like heartburn, bloating, burping, and even a sour taste in the mouth. Many factors can trigger or worsen acidity: poor eating habits, irregular meal timings, eating too fast, stress, lack of sleep, and certain medications. The good news is that acidity can often be managed and even prevented through simple diet and lifestyle changes.

The Delicate Acid-Base Balance

Our digestive system works like a carefully planned assembly line, where each part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract has a specific role to play. One of the most important factors that guides this process is the acid-alkaline balance, also known as the pH level. This balance changes as food moves through the digestive tract and is essential for breaking down food properly, absorbing nutrients, and preventing harmful microorganisms from causing damage.

Digestion begins in the mouth, where the pH is close to neutral, somewhere between 6.5 and 7.5. (pH above 7 is alkaline, below 7 is acidic and 7 is neutral) This neutral environment allows the saliva to start softening and breaking down carbohydrates with the help of enzymes like amylase. Chewing also physically breaks food into smaller pieces, making it easier for the stomach to process.

Once the food is swallowed, it travels down the oesophagus (the food pipe) and enters the stomach.