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Foods that reduce acidity
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Hydrochloric acid normally creates favorable conditions for digestion of food, eliminates harmful microflora, stimulates the evacuation of food from the stomach to the intestines. High acidity is a deviation in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which manifests itself as heartburn. The reasons are different, only a doctor can determine them. When prescribing treatment, a specialist will definitely recommend a diet of products that reduce acidity.
What foods reduce acidity?
When there is excess acid, food does not have time to neutralize it. The acidic environment causes inflammation of the mucous membrane, which manifests itself in pain, a feeling of distension, belching, heartburn. The patient has a question: is it possible to somehow eliminate the unpleasant phenomenon without medication, but with the help of products that reduce acidity, and what products reduce the acidity of the gastric contents?
- It is known that products with an enveloping and protective effect quickly stop the adverse effect of acid on the stomach walls. These are green tea, honey, jelly, pearl barley, semolina, rice porridge.
A simple method involves using oatmeal as a source of fiber. Adding grated nuts and honey to the porridge makes the mixture a nutritious enveloping product that reduces acidity and stimulates intestinal activity.
Folk methods of reducing acidity are based on recipes from natural ingredients: herbs, nuts, honey, propolis, soda. Of the herbs, mint, St. John's wort, calendula, nettle, centaury, thyme infused with white wine are especially useful.
- The acidity is regulated by a mixture prepared according to the following recipe: 100 g of nettle leaves and apple peel are poured with 1 liter of wine vinegar diluted with water (1:1). Infuse in a cupboard or pantry for 3 weeks, as a result of which a liquid enriched with enzymes and B vitamins is formed. Such a drink reduces the acidity level and has a beneficial effect on digestion.
It is possible to relieve unpleasant symptoms for a while, but the main task is to find out and eliminate their causes. With such symptoms, a gastroenterologist most often diagnoses "gastritis" and, in addition to a diet, prescribes a course of treatment with special drugs.
Healthy foods for gastritis with high acidity
Plant foods that release alkali during digestion, chemically neutralizing excess acid, are considered useful for gastritis with high acidity. Popular fruits include lingonberries, plums, and Brussels sprouts. Soy sauce is useful among enzyme products that reduce acidity, as it promotes the breakdown and absorption of proteins.
One of the conditions of the diet for high acidity is carbohydrate food with a high fiber content. It maintains protein-carbohydrate balance, contains useful vitamins A and B1. Delicate soups, jelly, milk porridges and soups are a priority in the "gastritis" menu. It is recommended to eat porridges, pasta, dietary varieties of fish, poultry, meat daily. Also recommended:
- Vegetables – boiled, stewed, baked, in the form of vinaigrette. Parsley, dill are useful for stimulating appetite.
- Thin soups, steamed meatballs and cutlets from lean minced meat, jellied or stuffed fish.
- Dietary types of sausages, seafood.
- Sour milk, low-fat kefir, a little low-fat milk.
- Fruits include sweet apples, ripe pears, bananas, strawberries and raspberries.
- Drinks include jelly, fresh fruit and rosehip infusions.
- Bread made from coarse flour.
- Sweet products that reduce acidity include honey and jam.
It is important to follow a regimen, eating daily at the same time, in 4-5 full meals, without snacks. You cannot eat "on the go"; while eating, you should focus on the process, without being distracted by TV or reading the press. Reading or listening to music is much more useful after eating, for relaxation and improving digestion.
It is necessary to chew food thoroughly and not to eat too much. Food should be simple, since an abundance of ingredients in dishes makes digestion difficult.
Allowed foods for gastritis with high acidity
Allowed products for gastritis with high acidity are designed to neutralize excess acid and improve digestion. The following dishes and products are recommended to reduce acidity:
- "not very fresh" bread, crackers, dry biscuits;
- puree;
- peeled tomatoes;
- veal, white meat, beef;
- non-acidic fruits and berries;
- baked apples;
- pastila, marshmallows;
- cream, homemade cottage cheese;
- steamed, boiled river fish;
- seafood;
- vegetable oils, butter – in minimal quantities;
- steamed omelette, soft-boiled egg;
- vegetable juices;
- drinks – fruit drink, jelly, light tea, cocoa.
To improve the taste, aromatic greens (dill, parsley), as well as vanilla and cinnamon, are good. Drinks play an important role. Honey and honey water, drunk an hour and a half before meals, reduce acidity, increase immunity, and heal damaged mucous membranes. Rosehip decoction stimulates appetite. Clean water removes toxins.
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Prohibited foods for gastritis with high acidity
The goal of a therapeutic diet is to slow down the process of secretion of digestive juice in the stomach. Therefore, the list of prohibited products for gastritis with high acidity includes those that contain extractive substances, essential compounds, oxalic acid. The danger is that they activate the pancreas and secrete hydrochloric acid. Among the prohibited products are the following:
- Sea fish dishes, canned food.
- Warm bread, puff pastries, rich pastries, confectionery.
- Fatty meat and offal, sausages, canned meat.
- High-fat dairy products, hard cheeses.
- Strong broths, rich liquid dishes.
- Eggs - hard-boiled and fried.
- Beans, mushrooms, sour berries.
- Spicy and leafy vegetables (radishes, garlic, sorrel).
- Hot sauces, fast food, spice mixes.
- Carbonated drinks, shelf-stable products with an abundance of preservatives.
Alcohol, coffee, and food that is too hot or too cold are harmful to an inflamed stomach. Limitations also apply to oil and salt.
High-calorie, fried foods and carbonated drinks are dangerous because they break down quickly and do not neutralize the stomach contents. Instead, you should prepare food from products that reduce acidity: porridge, soups, vegetable purees, steamed fish cakes, kefir, tea and dried fruit drinks.
Symptoms indicating hyperacid gastritis should not be ignored or relieved with calcium tablets. Due to constant heartburn, the problem is aggravated and is fraught with ulcers. To avoid such consequences, it is necessary to eat properly, using products that reduce acidity, be examined by a specialist and, if necessary, undergo a course of treatment.