Heartburn from garlic - causes, symptoms

The benefits and harms of garlic

Garlic is an effective folk remedy and is used to eliminate various pathologies. Most often it is used to treat colds and viral diseases, and this is due to the presence of allicin in it. Under the influence of such a component, the production of those enzymes that help the virus penetrate the body is blocked.

Allicin helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood and thereby prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Garlic is beneficial only if it is consumed continuously for 1-3 months.

Garlic contains a protein involved in the production of antibodies, which help protect the body from various adverse factors. It also contains phytoncides, so it has antibacterial properties. Thanks to phytoncides, it is possible to stop the further spread of bacteria and destroy many pathogens. In addition, garlic is a kind of toxin for staphylococci, diphtheria and yeast fungi.

Consumption of garlic in food leads to the fact that a person’s blood vessels dilate and blood pressure decreases. For hypertension, it is recommended to eat a small clove of garlic every day for several months.

The plant contains a biologically active substance such as ajoene, which helps reduce blood viscosity and reduce the risk of blood clots. Garlic is recommended for men to eat as it increases potency.

Despite the beneficial qualities of garlic, in some cases, eating it can be harmful to humans:

• in the presence of pathologies of the kidneys, liver and stomach;
• the plant contains toxic trace elements that can disrupt the digestion process;
• the product can cause an epileptic attack.

Important! It is not recommended to eat garlic during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it can have a negative effect on the brain.

Sulfanyl is a hydroxyl ion found in garlic that can penetrate the human brain. Often it is this that causes headaches, impaired attention, absent-mindedness and foggy thinking.

Relief from symptoms

The following rules for eating hot vegetables will help you get rid of chest discomfort:

• eat only thermally processed foods;
• Avoid eating fresh garlic and green onions;
• do not eat foods often and in large portions;
• You should not eat vegetables on an empty stomach.

Antacids, antisecretory drugs, prokinetic agents, and alginates will help get rid of heartburn, which can be caused by garlic. The use of medications helps to quickly neutralize hydrochloric acid, lowering the level of which eliminates the burning sensation behind the sternum. The medications contain chemical elements that prevent the spontaneous release of gastric juice.

Prokinetics promote the rapid passage of food into the intestines without the accumulation of acid. Medications have an enveloping effect that protects the walls of the digestive tract from the effects of gastric juice.

Proven traditional medicine recipes help relieve discomfort in the esophagus. It is recommended to neutralize the increased level of acid with milk, boiled water, grated carrots, nuts, and flax seeds. In extreme cases, symptoms can be eliminated with a soda solution when a burning sensation occurs once. The alkaline product is prohibited for use in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, internal pathologies, and pregnant women.

The benefits and harm of onions

Onions are not inferior to garlic in their beneficial qualities and are effective in treating many diseases. Onions contain phytoncides, which have a strong antiseptic effect. Essential oil is a bactericide, and in small dosages has a tonic effect on the body. Onions contain many vitamins of various groups, amino acids and carotene.

Constantly eating onions helps:

1. reduce the concentration of sugar in the body;
2. restore normal functioning of the cardiovascular system;
3. stimulate the gastrointestinal tract.

The only contraindication to eating such a plant is pathologies of the digestive system, which occur in an acute form.

Contraindications for use

Garlic is not recommended for consumption in the presence of serious internal pathologies:

• diseases of the cardiovascular system: high blood pressure;
• frequent attacks of epilepsy;
• pathologies of the liver, kidneys;
• haemorrhoids;
• obesity;
• diseases of the digestive system: gastritis, ulcers, colitis;

Garlic is an irritant to the mucous membrane of the digestive system due to its high content of toxic substances, so it should not be consumed if there are pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

Causes of heartburn

Onions and garlic contain a large number of useful natural substances, but when they enter the body in large dosages, an imbalance in the digestive system can occur..

Such plants have a powerful stimulating effect on the process of gastric juice production. Ingesting raw onions and garlic into the stomach contributes to the production of too much bile and hydrochloric acid. Their excess causes irritation of the esophagus and, accordingly, heartburn appears.

Many patients use onions and garlic to prevent viral diseases and eat them raw. Such products are usually mixed with lemon juice, honey and ginger, and the finished medicine is consumed in the morning on an empty stomach. This remedy actually helps improve a person’s immunity, but the digestive system cannot always cope with such an aggressive mixture. Treatment of diseases ends with the patient having a burning sensation behind the sternum after about a week and developing heartburn.

After eating onions and garlic, heartburn may occur due to the content of essential oils and sulfur-containing substances in them. But even while cooking with herbs, a person inhales volatile oils, which has a stimulating effect on the production of saliva and gastric juice.

Experts recommend excluding onions and garlic from the diet for those patients who suffer from pathologies of the stomach, duodenum and esophagus. This is due to the fact that such plants in their raw form can cause their aggravation.

Prevention

In order to prevent unpleasant sensations, it is recommended:

• Review your lifestyle, that is, stop smoking, wearing tight clothes and not going to bed immediately after eating. If you have extra pounds on your body, you should try to lose weight and avoid lifting heavy objects.
• Make changes to your diet and try not to overeat. You should not overeat before bed, and consume onions and garlic only in small quantities.
• It is necessary to take medications only under the supervision of a doctor and, if possible, avoid those that cause heartburn.

With the arrival of spring, a lot of herbs and seasonings appear on the tables, and people try to saturate their bodies with vitamins. Eating large quantities of onions and garlic can cause heartburn and problems with the functioning of the digestive system. It is for this reason that such products should be consumed in limited quantities and preventive measures should be observed.

To prevent heartburn, you need to adhere to preventive measures. It is advisable to exercise every day. However, physical activity should be light and heavy lifting should not be allowed. Some medications can cause heartburn, so self-medication is not recommended.

It is important to monitor your lifestyle. You need to give up bad habits (alcohol, smoking), and not wear too tight clothes. You should not go to bed immediately after a meal. The last meal is recommended at least three hours before rest.

If you are overweight, then it must be adjusted to normal. However, during the diet, it is important to very carefully include garlic and onions in the menu. They can disrupt the gastrointestinal tract and cause a number of negative symptoms, including heartburn. It is important to avoid overeating or starving. You need to eat often, but in small portions.

Occasional heartburn is usually caused by food or stress. However, if such a symptom constantly occurs, you should consult a therapist or gastroenterologist. If you have heartburn, you should not eat foods that cause a negative symptom.

How to avoid heartburn?

Garlic and onions contain a large amount of useful substances, so they simply need to be eaten, but this must be done correctly. In order to prevent heartburn and get rid of chest discomfort after eating greens, you should adhere to the following rules:

• It is recommended to eat less of such products raw, and it is best to cook them;
• do not eat such foods in large quantities and on an empty stomach;

If a burning sensation appears behind the sternum, you can drink a glass of warm milk to neutralize hydrochloric acid and thereby get rid of the discomfort.

For heartburn, the following groups of drugs are usually prescribed:

1. Antacids. They contain magnesium, calcium and aluminum salts, which help neutralize hydrochloric acid in a short time;
2. Prokinetics. They cause active contraction of the esophagus, which accelerates the movement of food through the esophagus and increases sphincter tone;
3. Antisecretory drugs. They have a suppressive effect on the accumulation of excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach;
4. Alginates. They create a kind of barrier in the stomach, due to which the risk of reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus is reduced.

If you experience a burning sensation behind the sternum after eating onions and garlic and do not have the necessary medications on hand, you can take a soda solution. With its help, it is possible to get rid of a burning sensation in the chest for a short time, but this remedy should not be taken regularly, since it can cause a water-salt imbalance.

Important to remember! Heartburn should not be tolerated as it can pose a serious danger to a person. Frequent burning sensations in the esophagus and throat may indicate serious pathologies.

Preventive measures

Preventing the recurrence of a burning sensation is the main goal of prevention. If heartburn occurs after eating onions, garlic and other prohibited foods, then simple rules should be followed:

• adjust your diet:
• do not overeat;
• do not eat food at night;
• It is recommended to eat healthy, balanced meals rich in vitamins and minerals;
• avoid ingredients that cause heartburn;
• consume hot vegetables in small quantities in heat-treated form, for example, onions in soup;
• do not exercise after eating;
• give up bad habits: drinking alcohol, tobacco products;
• monitor your weight;
• avoid stressful situations.

If unpleasant symptoms appear regularly, you should seek help from a specialist to determine the cause of frequent heartburn. A burning sensation can be a sign of serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: the presence of ulcers, gastritis, peritonitis, complications of GERD - Barrett's esophagus. In case of internal pathologies, heartburn is accompanied by additional symptoms: pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, flatulence.

Medications for heartburn should be taken under the supervision of a specialist. Incorrectly selected medications or self-administration of medications can increase stomach acidity and also contribute to the progression of the disease.

The information on our website is provided by qualified doctors and is for informational purposes only. Don't self-medicate! Be sure to consult a specialist!

Gastroenterologist, professor, doctor of medical sciences. Prescribes diagnostics and carries out treatment. Expert of the group for the study of inflammatory diseases. Author of more than 300 scientific papers.