US doctor shares natural remedy to treat heartburn in minutes

Tired of that fiery feeling creeping up your chest after every meal? That weird burning sensation in the chest you experience after every other feast. Yeah, we are talking about heartburn. And there is no debate that heartburn can really become uncomfortable, and most of us still don’t know how to deal with it without reaching for those chalky antacids or prescription meds.
What if the relief is really in your hands? Dr. Joseph Salhab, a board-certified gastroenterologist based in Florida, US, has revealed a simple, natural remedy for heartburn. Before we delve into the remedy, let’s understand what heartburn is.

Heartburn is a burning pain in the chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain is caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux). Hearburn often gets worse after eating, especially in the evening, or when lying down or bending over.

Heartburn has no obvious cause, but some of the factors that may influence it are foods (such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate, and fatty or spicy foods), being overweight, smoking, pregnancy, stress, anxiety, stomach ulcer, and bacterial infection in the stomach.

Heartburn is an uncomfortable feeling, and you will recognize it as follows:

• a burning sensation in your throat

• pressure or pain behind your breastbone

• difficulty swallowing

• worsening pain after lying down or bending over

• an acidic, sour, or bitter taste in your mouth

• coughing

There are numerous over-the-counter medicines and antacids you can grab to relieve heartburn. However, Dr. Salhab, who specializes in digestion, liver, pancreas, and nutrition, has now shared a natural remedy, which is helpful for many of us. The doctor recommends chewing sugar-free gum, to ease heartburn symptoms in minutes. “Pop some sugar-free gum, start chewing,” the doctor suggested in a video shared on Instagram. You will feel significantly better within minutes. Gum is something you can have on the go, and is a practical option for quick relief.

The doctor explains that chewing sugar-free gum triggers two key processes that combat heartburn. First, it stimulates saliva production, which acts as a natural shield against stomach acid. Saliva coats the esophagus, neutralizing acid and protecting the tissue. Second, the act of chewing mimics eating, prompting peristalsis, the muscle contractions that move contents through the digestive tract. This clears acid from the esophagus and stomach, reducing reflux.

Though occasional heartburn is common and no cause for alarm, if it persists, you might want to visit your doctor.