Having a good quality of life involves having a healthy digestive system.
But one of the most ignored symptoms of having a health problem is the presence of heartburn.
Most people simply attribute heartburn to excessive eating, especially of fatty, acidic food.
But there is more to heartburn than what most people actually know or care to know about.
Heartburn may actually be a symptom of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disorder or GERD, which afflicts millions of Americans today.
GERD is a disorder characterized by the overproduction of stomach acids that affect the esophagus, or the tube that connects the throat and the stomach.
Some of the more common symptoms of GERD are nausea, a feeling of being bloated, stomach and throat pain, vomiting, and even depression and a loss of appetite.
People with serious heartburn may already have this disorder.
When left untreated, GERD or Acid Reflux may lead to a progressive deterioration of the lining of the esophagus.
Stomach acids that rise up in the esophagus and reach the throat and mouth may even lead to tooth decay or tooth loss.
The more serious but rare effect or long-term negative impact of untreated GERD is the development of esophageal cancer.
If you consult a doctor, you would most likely be told to watch what you eat.
Often, you would be cautioned to stay away from very acidic food and to limit your intake of coffee and other beverages with high caffeine content.
Aside from being counseled to quit smoking and incorporate exercise into your daily activities, doctors would also advice you to avoid stressful situations which could trigger stomach pain and other stress-related symptoms.
For the majority, watching their diet or going to the gym are extremely difficult.
But a more pleasurable way to avoid the dangers posed by untreated GERD is to eat good food - specifically those that are alkaline.
Maintaining a balance between the alkalinity and acidity of our body is a key to living a healthy life.
Foods that contain alkaline minerals include those that are low in sugar, many types of vegetables, nuts, seeds, salads, and foods that have high water content.
For example, tomatoes, avocados, and various kinds of green, leafy vegetables are filled with healthy alkaline minerals.
It is important to take efforts to avoid over-consumption of food that are high in sugar, alcohol, dairy, pizza, sodas, and other highly acidic meals and beverages.
Consuming alkaline foods for acid reflux is definitely a more enjoyable and filling way...
not to mention a healthy alternative to treating heartburn and GERD.