How To Test For Low or High Stomach Acid in Seconds With Apple Cider Vinegar

Over the last ten years, the dark chocolate has become very popular thanks to the fact that it is abundant in iron, selenium, copper, potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, and fiber.

Hence, the dark chocolate has become the number-one choice of all those who often crave for something sweet when they feel anxious, depressed, frustrated, as well as of the people who suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as the obese people.

You might think that dark chocolate is the ideal solution to next to every situation. Well, there is a condition where the dark chocolate is not beneficial.

We are talking about acid reflux, also known as heartburn, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). This is a condition that causes pain in the chest, sore throat, and a burning sensation in the stomach, the throat, even in the mouth. This feeling is really uncomfortable and stressful, and the pain caused by the heartburn can ruin some significant evening and dinners.

Acid reflux can be the result of excess stomach acid, reduced levels of stomach acid in the body, weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES), or obstruction of the upper bowels.

These are the foods that can weaken the LES:

• nicotine
• alcohol
• caffeine
• fish oil (dietary and supplementary)
• tomatoes
• some medications (for example hormonal treatments, SSRI)
• citrus fruits and juices (lime, lemon, orange, etc)
• peppermint
• chocolate

Yes, you read well. The chocolate has been shown to reduce the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, a condition known as ‘Chocolate-Induced Reflux’.

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is actually the muscle that binds the esophagus to the stomach and it opens so that the food and the drinks we consume are able to get into the stomach and it closes so that they do not go back.

Once this muscle is weakened, it leaves the foods and the drinks to return back and contributes to irritation. Furthermore, this muscle can be weakened due to an intestine obstruction or even small intestinal bowel overgrowth (SIBO).

If this condition is not treated, the acid reflux can damage the mucosal membrane and can even lead to ulcers and cancer. Thus, it is very important that the food is well chewed, that you eat in a relaxed state and that you do not consume trigger foods.

In case of mild signs of an acid reflux, it is not very likely that one would go to the doctor and check one’s state and examine the reason (increased or decreased levels of stomach acid). Still, you can make a test by yourself. The only thing you need in order to perform this testing is apple cider vinegar.

This is how to perform the testing:

1. Take one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and swallow it

2. If you do not have a burning sensation afterwards, you have hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid). This means that you should increase the levels by subsequently adding one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar a day until you reach six tablespoons or a slight burning sensation occurs

3. If you do not have any symptoms, maintain this dose and go on taking it every day, decreasing it by one tablespoon, of course, unless you experience a burning sensation

4. If you have an extreme burning sensation and you feel irritation after you have consume the first tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, it means you are suffering from hyperchlorhydria (excess stomach acid)

Remember that you should consult your doctor afterwards and make the needed tests so that you make sure that the burning pain is not a symptom of a peptic ulcer or a heart condition.

Low Stomach Acid

If you have low levels of stomach acid, here is what you should do:

– Always chew your food thoroughly

– When you consume big meals, take digestive enzymes after

– Increase the consumption of papaya and pineapple, as they contain bromelain and papain, natural enzymes

– Go on the dosing of 1-6 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar a day, of course if you do not feel any burning

– Massage the abdominal region so that you trigger gastric secretions

– Every time you eat, take three deep breaths before you start with the eating and smell the food, as the nose is the first step of the digestion process and it trigger the secretion of saliva in the mouth, as well as digestive enzymes release from the pancreas

– Make sure you find a good way to deal with stress, like exercising, meditation, techniques of deep breathing, walks in nature, etc

High Stomach Acid

If you have increased levels of stomach acid, here is which steps you need to follow:

– Consume a mixture made of one glass of water and one to two teaspoons of sodium bicarbonate every day

– Do not lie down right after the meal

– Eat several hours before you go to sleep

– Exercise regularly and reduce your weight if needed

– Regularly perform an abdominal and upper body massage so that you alleviate the gastric pressure and stress

– Sleep more, with your head lifted a little bit

– Every time you eat, take three deep breaths before the meal

– Take some acid suppression pharmaceutical agents (like antacid calcium carbonate, proton pump inhibitor H2-receptor antagonist, etc)

– Drink a lot of water

– Eat smaller amounts of food, and consume more light food, like smoothies for example, as they are easy to digest

– Try to handle the stress by exercise, meditation, swimming, gratitude, reading books, etc

– Do not eat acidic food such as vinegar, citrus fruits, meat, avoid carbonated beverages and food triggers such as chocolate, tomatoes, spicy food, papaya, pineapple, coffee, alcohol, and smoking for one week, and then again assess the intensity of discomfort

Sometimes, people confuse this condition with lung conditions, peptic ulcers, musculoskeletal issues, and severe heart conditions.

Thus, if you have ever noticed some bleeding via your mouth or in the stool, chronic discomfort, or some pain of unexplained origin, visit your doctor right away.

Furthermore, if you have been using acid suppressing pharmaceuticals for some time now, ask for some other natural alternatives.

However, never quit or begin using medications on your own, as the body needs to be prepared for the elimination of medications and the introduction of the new alternative therapy.

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Sources:
Murphy DW, Castell DO. Chocolate and heartburn: evidence of increased esophageal acid exposure after chocolate ingestion. Am J Gastroenterol. 1988 Jun;83(6):633-6. [link]

Wright LE, Castell DO. The adverse effect of chocolate on lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Am J Dig Dis. 1975 Aug;20(8):703-7. [link]

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