Control Over Production of Stomach Acid

Having excess stomach acid is difficult to deal with. In fact, if proper treatment is not taken it can lead to serious health disorders that can affect your daily activities. This article focuses on the causes of the excess production of stomach acid and home remedies to reduce excess acid the stomach.

What is Stomach Acid?

Stomach acid or gastric acid is responsible for digestion and kills the harmful bacteria. The stomach produces the hormone gastrin, which in turn creates hydrochloric acid [Ref]. When these acid levels increase, it can cause hyperacidity. At this point, your pH levels decrease and problems ranging from mild to severe can develop.

Causes of Excess Stomach Acid

Diet: The foods you eat as well as the timing of your meals can affect the acid production of your stomach. Spicy foods can trigger acid in your stomach. High-fiber foods can cause an overproduction of stomach acid, as digestion takes time. A long gap between your meals can also create excess acid.
Alcohol: This irritates the lining of your stomach and can induce stomach acid production, which triggers digestive issues.

Milk: Although milk may help you fall asleep, it can cause a turmoil in your stomach. Milk stimulates the stomach to produce acid and excess secretion of the acid may cause you to experience heartburn at night.
Age: Once you approach your 50s, the body produces less hydrochloric acid (HCL), causing acid reflux and heartburn. If this happens, it would be advisable to take HCL supplements to help digestion. Eating oily foods is one of the causes of heartburn.
Stress: Life gives us many obstacles and issues to tackle. If we have too much stress, this could be contributing to our stomach’s acid production.
Stomach cancers: One serious condition that causes excess stomach acid production is stomach cancer. This cancer increases gastrin hormone production [Ref].

Home Remedies to Reduce Production of Excess Stomach Acid

If you are experiencing stomach acid symptoms, include the following foods in your diet.

• Buttermilk
• Basil
• Banana
• Ginger
• Clove
• Cinnamon

Lack of stomach acid can also lead to heartburn.