One out of four Italians suffers from gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux, hyperacidity, heartburn, or difficulty digesting.

The excessive physiological production of hydrochloric acid, a substance in itself essential in promoting pre-digestion of food and disinfecting the gastric mucosa, can lead to inflammation of the gastric walls, whose symptoms are belching, heartburn, discomfort or pain in the area behind the sternum, and coughing with acid regurgitation.

 

 

 

What causes reflux and heartburn?

The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux and gastric acidity occur when we overeat, eat too quickly, or abuse drinks and foods that stimulate the contraction of the mucous membranes and the production of acid.

Stress, anxiety, and tension can also indirectly increase the production of acid in the stomach: "Functional dyspepsia" is among the most frequent disorders caused by the somatization of anxiety in the stomach. The activation of the sympathetic nervous system that occurs in stressful situations alters the motility of the digestive system, negatively interfering with digestion and absorption of nutrients. The cortisol produced in response to the stressful event tends to inhibit the production of gastric mucus, which represents the most important natural protective barrier of the stomach against the effects of hydrochloric acid.

 

 

 

Heartburn: what to do when gastric heartburn inflames the stomach?

When we experience heartburn, we usually resort to antacid drugs that contain substances such as aluminum and magnesium hydroxide, which react with the hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach and neutralize it without intervening in the mechanisms that regulate acid secretion.

 

By acting locally, antacids can temporarily counteract the effects of excessive acidity without definitively addressing the causes of heartburn. Therefore, they are suitable for short-term relief in occasional disorders, such as those caused by overeating, consuming high-fat meals, or ingesting other foods that are difficult to digest.

 

When gastric disorders are frequent and recurrent, tend to become chronic, and are associated with diseases such as gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux, and peptic ulcer, temporary relief of symptoms is not enough.

In this case, drug therapies are mostly prescribed that inhibit the receptor that stimulates acid production, thus ending up, if taken for prolonged periods, reducing or blocking the production of hydrochloric acid by the stomach.

 

However, while the inhibition of the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach by resorting to these drugs for extended periods allows the problem to be solved temporarily, it can also block the disinfectant activity of the stomach, disrupting the correct functioning of the digestive system and potentially leading to intestinal dysbiosis.

 

 

 

Prevention is better than cure: tips for good digestion

As always, good eating habits and correct lifestyles help maintain efficient digestion and good gastric health over time, warding off disorders such as acidity and reflux.

 

Therefore, some tips for good digestion are always useful:

• Divide meals throughout the day and choose light, unrefined, fresh, seasonal foods with simple seasonings;

• Avoid alcohol, coffee, carbonated drinks, and excessively fatty or acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, meat, mature cheeses, spices, and beans;

• Prefer the consumption of fruit such as apples, blueberries, figs, and bananas, which, in addition to reducing gastric acidity, have a gastroprotective action, favoring the secretion of gastric mucus and being excellent digestive food;

• Chew slowly and try to consume meals at regular times, in a calm mood and in a peaceful environment;

• Avoid stressful situations as much as possible and consistently practice activities that help keep stress under control: yoga, meditation, walks in natural environments, but also physical activities aimed at relieving tension;

• Avoid overuse of drugs and anti-inflammatories, which contribute to irritation of the gastric walls;

• Reduce or eliminate smoking because nicotine induces the stimulation of gastric acid secretion and reduces the basal tone of the lower esophageal sphincter;

• Avoid lying down in a horizontal position for at least a couple of hours after eating, so as not to hinder gastric emptying;

• Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight and compress the abdomen excessively.

 

 

 

Good habits for good digestion are not enough? Turn to natural remedies for digestion: enzymes and medicinal herbs

Herbal teas based on medicinal herbs whose pro-kinetic and carminative activity has always been known - fennel, cumin, anise, licorice, ginger - have a positive effect on gastric wellbeing, helping to counteract digestive disorders due to overeating or temporary digestive difficulties caused by stressful situation. These natural digestive remedies reduce gas, alleviate dyspepsia and belching, and promote peristalsis by aiding gastric emptying.

 

Mint, chamomile, mallow, and angelica, with their myorelaxant and anti-inflammatory effects, soothe abdominal contractions and gastric pain, facilitate digestion, and assist in the production of mucus with protective action.

 

A valid alternative to alleviate and counteract gastric and digestive disorders is also provided by innovative natural formulations, food supplements, and medical devices, in some cases free of carbonates and buffering substances, which therefore not only alleviate symptoms due to gastric acidity but also tend to restore normal, physiological stomach function. They promote digestive functions thanks to specific digestive enzymes obtained from fungal and bacterial fermentation, which help digest carbohydrates, complex proteins, cellulose fibers, lactose, and fats.

 

In other cases, however, these remedies for poor digestion act by protecting and repairing the walls irritated by hydrochloric acid, thanks to hyaluronic acid, which exerts moisturizing, repairing, and membrane-coating activities, as well as specific pools of substances with film-forming and protective action on the gastric mucosa, such as aloe leaf gel, mallow leaves, and marshmallow root.

 

Formulations are often further enriched with those natural phytoactives whose anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic action is now recognized, such as emblica, chamomile, with its myorelaxant action on the smooth mucosa, and blueberry juice, a natural antioxidant.