A Home Remedy With Cabbage To Combat Heartburn

Poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, stress and bad habits, such as alcohol or tobacco, can promote heartburn.

Gastric hyperacidity is a very annoying health problem, and even painful for those who suffer it regularly. In general, eating a balanced diet may not be enough to combat heartburn. In this article we explain how you can combat heartburn with a simple cabbage-based recipe that will serve as an accompaniment to your dishes.

However, we want to warn you that you should go to your doctor’s appointment if you suffer from heartburn. In fact, the doctor is the competent person to diagnose and treat this pathology. However, if you suffer from it sporadically or in subclinical conditions, you could use this remedy to combat heartburn, as  long as you consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes in your lifestyle.

Why do we suffer from heartburn?

The stomach is an acid organ due to hydrochloric acid that helps us digest food well. However, sometimes, due to different factors, this acid can be excessive and negatively affect the digestive system. In some cases, there is even a hiatal hernia that allows these acids to ascend into the esophagus and inflame it.

What factors increase acidity ?

• First, poor diet or poor assimilation of food.
• Abuse of acidifying foods: white sugar, refined flours, fried foods, red meat, sausage, milk, sugary, carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
• Eating too fast, too much, or no chewing.
• Weakening of the digestive system and lack of digestive enzymes.
• Abuse of antacid or acidifying medications.
• Toxic habits, such as tobacco and alcohol.
• Stress and negative emotions.
• Sedentary.
• Lastly, life in cities and in polluted environments.

Foods to fight heartburn

In addition to some natural remedies to combat heartburn, which are much healthier than conventional antacids. In addition, if we consume them daily we will be able to smoothly and progressively balance the pH of our stomach without abruptly altering it and allowing it to continue to have the necessary acidity so as not to hinder digestion. Among these foods we can highlight, for example:

• Avocado
• The cucumber.
• The almonds.
• Asparagus.
• Millet.
• Broccoli.

However, one of the most beneficial is cabbage, which allows us to make a simple recipe.

Why the cabbage?

Cabbage is a very inexpensive vegetable and at the same time very beneficial for health. In some countries it is hardly used and, on the other hand, in others, we can find it in most recipes, thanks to its versatility. Cabbage is an excellent antacid because it regulates the function of the stomach  and intestines while neutralizing acidity and preventing gastric ulcers.

All of the above is due to the protection that cabbage exerts on the gastrointestinal mucosa. In addition, if we consume it, we will also be helping to improve our defenses and relieve rheumatic pain.

What do we need?

To prepare the two daily servings of this medicinal recipe we will need the following ingredients:

• 300 or 400 grams of white cabbage.
• 2 tablespoons (50 grams) of extra virgin olive oil.
• Juice of half a lemon.
• A pinch of ground black pepper, to taste.
• A pinch of cumin, to taste.
• Half a teaspoon (5 grams) of sea salt or Himalayan salt.

How do we do it?

We will prepare this recipe in the morning, so that it can rest a few hours before we eat it.

• First, we cut the cabbage into very fine strips or we shred it with a food processor. It should not be runny.
• We put it in a glass container.
• We add the oil, lemon juice, salt and spices.
• Finally, we cover the container and let it marinate, at least two hours, at room temperature.

How do we take it?

• First, we will divide the prepared quantity into two servings and we will take each of them as an accompaniment to lunch and dinner, respectively.
• We must chew this dish well, since otherwise it can cause flatulence. Precisely to avoid it, cumin is added.
• This medicinal recipe will accompany our usual menus and should not replace the portions of carbohydrates, proteins and fats that we need.
• If one of the dishes is a salad, we can add the cabbage to make it a single dish.
• Many people do not like cabbage because they have eaten it cooked, but the raw taste is totally different and it tends to be liked by everyone.
• In a few days we will notice the difference. Acidity will gradually decrease, as long as we follow the proper eating guidelines and completely dispense with the foods that cause it.