The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid that helps with digestion. It is the acidic environment that helps to break down and digest heavy foods such as proteins. However, some people have high levels of acidity which can cause heartburn, nausea, and stomach ache. Indigestion is the first sign of your stomach being overly acidic. Stress and increased consumption of fast food are some of the factors that can contribute to indigestion and stomach acidity.

Most of us pop an antacid to treat acidity. Instead, here are some natural stomach acid remedies. You can easily find these ingredients in your kitchen and refrigerator.

Drink apple cider vinegar before your meal
Apple cider vinegar, though acidic in nature has an alkalizing effect, making it an effective remedy to treat stomach acidity. The enzymes in apple cider vinegar break down the proteins and reduce acidity and heartburn.

Before your meals, add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Add lemon juice to the solution. Drink this to enhance digestion. HCl is needed for digestion and apple cider vinegar helps increase the levels of this digestive acid in the body. Being a natural acid, you can substitute HCl supplements with apple cider vinegar.

Drink green juices before your meal
Green juices are not only nutrient dense but also have an alkalizing effect on your stomach. They help reduce any inflammation as well. Green juices stimulate the secretion of gastric juices making it one of the best stomach acid remedies. If you have juice in the morning, the gastric juices will help improve your digestion process. In fact, the best time to consume this juice is 30 minutes before you sit down for your meal.

If plagued by excessive acid in your stomach, churn up a green juice combining one head of romaine, a cucumber, a cup of parsley, and a celery stalk. You can include half an inch of ginger and juice of a lemon for better taste. This green juice is sure to offer relief from stomach acidity.

Include raw vegetables in your diet
Raw vegetables are full of nutrients. These are naturally alkaline rich foods which offer a host of digestive benefits. If your stomach gets highly acidic, it is best to eat a raw salad, which can bring down the associated inflammation and lower the pain of stomach acidity. Carrots, cucumbers, leafy greens, asparagus, lettuce, and celery are the best foods to fight inflammation.

Drink a fruit smoothie for breakfast
If you have developed stomach acidity overnight, a fruit smoothie for breakfast is the best way to tame the fire. The fruit smoothie alkalizes your stomach and gets you off to a comfortable start to the day. Blend together a banana, some berries, lemon juice, a teaspoon of raw almond butter, a bit of honey and a scoop of raw hemp protein. Take it through a blender and a healthy breakfast option is ready in a jiffy.

Include olive oil and honey in your daily diet
Olive oil and honey are much-needed stomach acid remedies for heartburn and indigestion. It coats the stomach and has inherent anti-inflammatory properties. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil on your salads. The raw greens along with the healthy olive oil can beat the acidity blues.

Honey is also an excellent tonic to relieve heartburn. Manuka honey, sourced from the apiculturists in New Zealand is a potent acidity reliever. Any form or brand of raw, organic honey will do. Lick off a tablespoon or two or add it to your tea.

Stomach acid remedies to try at home
There are a few home remedies as well that offer relief from heartburn and stomach acid.

• Basil
  The fragrant herb has carminative and soothing properties. Chew on a few basil leaves for instant relief from acidity and nausea. Alternately, you can simmer a few basil leaves in hot water and sip on the strained concoction at regular intervals.

• Cinnamon
  Cinnamon is an excellent tonic to maintain digestive health. It is a natural antacid which offers relief from accumulated stomach gas as well. Cinnamon tea helps to ward off stomach acidity. Steep a teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a cup of boiling water. Sip on the tea 3 to 4 times a day.

• Cumin seeds
  Cumin is an acid neutralizer. It also helps with digestion and the cures stomach ache. Dry roast cumin and grind it to a fine powder. Add it to a glass of warm water. This is a useful and handy remedy to treat acidity.

• Cloves
  Chewing cloves and releasing the juice into the digestive system is one of the easiest stomach acid remedies. It has the effect of increasing the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Cloves have a carminative effect that helps alleviate acidity symptoms.

Acidity affects the young and the old alike. Be careful of what you eat. If faced with the issue of indigestion and acidity, adopt one of the above natural stomach acid remedies for quick relief.