I am sure you have come across an advertisement where you heard this “mocking” phrase, delivered with an ironic tone. It was for a remedy for heartburn—or, to use a “trendier” term, for acid reflux. Or, in more scientific language: for gastroesophageal reflux.

You’ve been drinking baking soda for 25 years and claim it helps?

To be honest, baking soda *does* always help. But then again, pharmacists have children to feed, too. I don’t hold it against them.

I must start by stating that I am not a doctor, and my opinion is in no way a substitute for professional medical expertise. None of the products I mention in this post are medicines, nor can they serve as a replacement for medical treatment. If you suspect you are ill, please consult a doctor you trust!

I will simply share my own story and recommendations—without forcing anyone to follow them.

Your body is perhaps the only thing you truly own, and you are free to do whatever you choose with it! But if you love your body, read on.

I used to suffer from terrible heartburn. I used to stuff myself with fried and quick-fix foods—they were fast and easy to prepare. In the evenings, I couldn’t fall asleep without “downing some baking soda.” I had developed a specific technique—I’d take it dry, without any water: I’d pour a spoonful into my palm and, with a quick flick, toss it straight into my throat. And that was it. No water. At that time, the only water I consumed was whatever happened to be in my coffee.

Well, I didn’t wait 25 years to realize that baking soda always helps.

So, what did I do?

1. I lost weight.

It’s not difficult. Nor does it require any extraordinary willpower when you’re working with a coach. I’m a nutrition coach myself now. If you’re interested, give me or my wife a call—you’ve even got a choice! 😉 I’ve heard that losing just 10% of your body weight can be enough to make you forget about heartburn and baking soda entirely (provided, of course, that you also follow a few other guidelines—all of which relate to weight management and, consequently, your overall health).

2. I started eating healthily.

It wasn’t hard to figure out which foods were causing my heartburn. Usually, it was fatty, fried, or spicy dishes, sugar—especially the pre-packaged powdered sugar of questionable composition—sweetened carbonated or still drinks, and cakes or pastries (particularly when I overindulged). Actually, any food can be a problem if I overeat. There is even a term for this kind of food abuse—”gluttony” (or “food-debauchery”). Healthy, balanced nutrition is a science in itself, and—believe it or not—it means something quite different for every single person. Sure, there are some general principles, but I’ve pretty much already covered those. If your acid reflux isn’t too severe, a healthy, balanced diet is often all you need. However, if it consistently fails to help, it’s likely that your digestive system has sustained some degree of damage, and additional care will be required. That was the case for me, too.

3. I started drinking plenty of water.

This also helped me lose weight. I’m talking about plain water—not sparkling water, juices (even those labeled “natural”), or beer. Incidentally, I almost always experienced acid reflux after a glass of “natural” juice. Now that I read the labels, I realize just how “natural” most of these so-called “natural juices” really are—but back then, I didn’t know any better.

4. I added Herbalife Nutrition’s Aloe Vera Mango Concentrate to my water.

This was a huge help in getting me into the habit of drinking water, and it also aided in the recovery of my digestive system.

5. I consumed enough protein.

Mentioning “recovery” brings something else to mind—no organ in our body can recover unless we provide it with sufficient protein! Morning and evening, I would have a Herbalife Nutrition shake (or mix it into some yogurt). It provided me not only with enough protein but also with all the other 114 nutrients my body needs to function.

6. I ate a few almonds every day.

They say raw almonds are better, but I’ll admit that mine were roasted. Just a few almonds—not a few handfuls! They help balance the pH in my digestive system and are a good source of calcium. Later on, I also started taking calcium as a supplement, combined with vitamin D—but that’s a more advanced step you don’t need to worry about at the beginning.

7. A glass of warm water with Aloe Mango first thing in the morning.

When I woke up in the morning, I initially used to drink a glass of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon juice; later, I replaced this entirely with Aloe Vera Mango, having already become convinced of its effectiveness. You can start directly with it—the choice is yours. Although lemon juice is acidic, it actually increases the alkalinity (pH balance) within our bodies. Aloe Vera Mango does the same. Both aid digestion and contain nothing harmful (though, naturally, don’t eat the lemon peels—who knows what they might have been sprayed with at the wholesale markets or warehouses!). These tips won’t eliminate acid reflux immediately. Cutting out fried foods, sweets, and overeating might bring the first signs of improvement, but that alone may not be enough. So, what else can be done?

8. You are probably already familiar with the baking soda trick.

Baking soda won’t harm you, provided it’s used in small amounts and not on a daily basis. You might, however, need to find a discreet moment to burp—don’t keep the resulting carbon dioxide trapped inside your body. Take a couple of pinches of baking soda, and you’ll be able to sleep soundly. After all, sleep is just as vital a component of a healthy lifestyle.

9. Sleep on your left side.

Sleeping on your stomach, back, or right side makes it easier for stomach acid to enter the esophagus. Ideally, avoid eating anything for at least 2–3 hours before bedtime—go for a walk after a meal instead of stretching out on the bed in front of the TV to listen to distressing news. If you are very hungry, have something high in protein that is easy to digest, and free from sugar, aspartame, or similar additives.

10. Apple cider vinegar.

If you can source genuine apple cider vinegar, consume 1–2 teaspoons daily. You can mix it with honey in tea, or take it in the morning with warm water (instead of lemon). Despite its acidic nature, apple cider vinegar actually reduces stomach acidity. The same applies to pickles, fermented vegetables, and other fermented products. Note that I make no mention of alcohol alongside those pickles! Alcohol also triggers acid reflux, especially if it is of poor quality.

11. Herbal tea.

Teas made from chamomile, mint, fenugreek, or fennel have a soothing effect (and just to be clear—I am definitely not referring to *mastika* or anise-based spirits!).

12. Chewing gum.

I read somewhere that chewing gum after a meal also helps. It increases saliva production, which in turn reduces acidity in the esophagus. Unfortunately, truly natural chewing gum is almost non-existent these days—I know of only one brand that contains no artificial sweeteners, but I don’t intend to advertise it, especially since I haven’t personally tested its effectiveness for heartburn.

13. Other remedies.

Other things I’ve heard can help include ginger, basil leaves, cloves, cinnamon… You can certainly find plenty of information about this online. For me, the effect of Aloe Vera Mango was sufficient.

Do see a doctor, though

I started by mentioning that heartburn could be a sign of a medical condition or a specific physiological state that falls under the scope of medicine, and I’ll conclude with the same point: if your heartburn is caused by obesity (which is a medical condition—and a quite dangerous one at that), a hiatal hernia, pregnancy (not a disease, but a specific physiological state that can also trigger heartburn), or something else, I recommend consulting a trusted doctor.

I emphasize the word “trusted” for a reason. Knowing the kind of engineers who graduated alongside me, I’d be terrified to go to a doctor! 😉

Don’t get me wrong—I have great respect for doctors! They spend their entire lives learning. And if they truly do this, they become brilliant specialists!

However, when it comes specifically to obesity, a doctor might not be able to help you—it is better to seek out a trusted nutrition coach. Keep an eye on our page and your inbox for updates from us—we have some very interesting content and training programs coming your way!

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