How Do You Get Rid of Heartburn?
Key takeaways:
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing discomfort and pain in the chest or throat.
Eliminating trigger foods and drinks — like high-fat foods and beverages with caffeine — helps some people get rid of heartburn.
Others say drinking diluted apple cider vinegar helps eliminate heartburn.
A burning sensation that rises in your throat or chest but can’t be quenched with just a glass of water — heartburn can put even the best of us in serious discomfort. For some people, spicy, high-acid, and high-fat foods can cause heartburn to flare up. For others, it’s onions, citrus products, tomato-based foods, and fried items.
But that’s not all. Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, and smoking can also trigger heartburn. And people who are overweight or pregnant have a higher risk of experiencing it.
Heartburn happens when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. Typically, when you swallow food, a muscle at the bottom of your lower esophagus will relax to allow food and liquid to flow into your stomach. And, once you’re finished eating, the muscle will tighten.
When the muscle doesn’t tighten as it should, the acid backs up, causing heartburn. And the pain may be worse if you’re bent over or lying down.
Here’s how four people describe how they get rid of heartburn.
His cure: A spoonful of apple cider vinegar
Kam Talebi, who owns and operates restaurants as CEO of Kaskaid Hospitality in Minnesota, says his cure for heartburn is apple cider vinegar.
“I don’t know how, but a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar works to get rid of heartburn,” says Kam, a 54-year-old former tech entrepreneur. “It’s counterintuitive — taking something acidic to reduce acid. We include it in some of our sauces for that reason, as well as its tangy acidic flavor. I know people that add a bit to their chili recipe to prevent heartburn.”
Kam says he dilutes the vinegar in a shot of water and drinks it straight. For best results, he says, take it before you eat spicy or acidic foods. He also suggests trying not to overeat or lie down for a few hours after you eat.
“If you absolutely have to sleep after a meal, lay on your left side,” he says. “I’ve read that this angles the esophagus in a way that makes it harder to get heartburn.”
Disciplined eating keeps his heartburn at bay
For Anthony Buzzetta, the 42-year-old founder of AI knowledge repository GTier, heartburn has been an on-and-off problem for 15 years.
Anthony has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), something people sometimes simply refer to as heartburn or acid reflux. He says having GERD feels like a mini volcano in his chest. Over the years, he’s tried a number of medications and remedies.
“I’ve tried everything from baking soda to Tums,” he says. “Someone told me to eat bananas. Yeah, that didn’t work. The bananas were good, though.”
Anthony’s longest-lasting solution has been to avoid large amounts of spicy, fatty, and rich foods.
“I found that not being overweight, watching my portion size, and not drinking alcohol or coffee helps tremendously — all the answers I didn’t want to hear,” he says. “It was work for me to implement. It took discipline. I still indulge, but lightly and infrequently.”
He adds, “Bouts of heartburn happen rarely now and are usually due to eating copious amounts of my Mom’s lasagna or something like that. I think as an occasional treat, though, indulging a bit is totally worth it.”
What about intermittent fasting?
Jason Krul, a 42-year-old founder of an intermittent fasting site, uses fasting to deal with heartburn.
“I’ve been using intermittent fasting along with apple cider vinegar to heal and prevent heartburn,” he says. “The intermittent fasting allows your gut to rest and heal, and the apple cider vinegar can [stop] the symptom while it is occurring. It has amazing benefits.”
Intermittent fasting, Jason adds, lets the stomach empty and prevents people from overeating.
A quick fix didn’t do the trick, but lifestyle changes did
Ashley Hanson, a 38-year-old marketing professional in Wisconsin, was diagnosed with GERD after heartburn left her with an almost constant sore throat. At first, she drank milk to treat her heartburn. She also tried drinking a glass of water mixed with ¼ tsp of baking soda.
“It worked, but it didn’t taste the best. And if you got too much, it could make you throw up,” Ashley says.
Ashley’s doctor recommended she modify her diet and cut out acidic foods, fatty foods, and caffeine. While the baking soda and water worked well, Ashley says, it was only a quick fix. Adjusting her diet and being careful not to lay down immediately after eating worked best.
“I quit smoking, heavily reduced the acidic and fatty foods in my diet, switched to caffeine-free pop, and generally got more active,” she says. “I also take antacids as needed, but that’s rare.”
What does the doctor say?
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Medical Editor
Heartburn can be really uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. It can be challenging to get rid of, and you often need a few strategies to truly control it.
The first step is to identify your triggers. While there are many things that can cause heartburn, not everyone reacts the same way to them. Spicy foods may be fine for some people, while just a small bite can lead to days of terrible heartburn for others. Instead of avoiding every possible trigger, pay attention to what specifically worsens your heartburn and focus on avoiding those things — whether that’s certain foods or lying down too soon after eating.
Next, you’ll need a collection of remedies for quick relief. Sometimes, heartburn can catch you off guard, so it’s important to be prepared to fight it off. Popular remedies include over-the-counter options like Tums, Rolaids, Alka-Seltzer, and Mylanta. You can also try mixing baking soda with water, although the taste may not be the most pleasant. Despite its popularity, there’s no evidence that diluted apple cider vinegar fights heartburn. And it’s important to keep in mind that vinegar is an acid and can add to the stress on your esophagus.
While these remedies provide short-term relief, they are not meant for long-term use. That’s why getting your heartburn under control is the final step on this list. How to do that may be different for you than someone else, depending on the specific causes of your heartburn.
Your healthcare provider may recommend making changes such as managing your weight or quitting smoking, or they may recommend taking medication. There are two main types of medications that can help fight heartburn: H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors. H2 blockers are typically taken for about 2 to 6 weeks, while proton pump inhibitors can be taken for longer.
You may need to take one or both of these medications to control your heartburn, especially in the beginning. Some forms of these medications are available over the counter, while others require a prescription. Your healthcare provider can assist you in deciding which options and doses are best for long-term heartburn control.
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