12 Home Remedies For Sour Stomach: Causes And Prevention Tips

What is a sour stomach? Indigestion, often known as sour stomach, is a frequent illness characterized by various symptoms like burping, constant bloating, and abdominal discomfort. Along with these, a sour stomach may also give rise to a radiating pain that often seems to reach the chest area. Home remedies for sour stomach focus on relieving all these symptoms as well as resolving the primary issue. But what is that?

A sour stomach develops because of an excess of hydrochloric acid accumulating in the digestive tract and stomach, resulting in acute acidity and heartburn (1), (2).
Note: A sour stomach is a temporary symptom that might become chronic or recurrent. It occasionally vanishes and reappears after a few weeks. It can result in chronic diseases like ulcers and injury to the digestive tract if left untreated. As a result, it is critical to address this issue as quickly as possible.

This article has gathered a list of 12 home treatments for sour stomach relief. Continue reading!

Did You Know?

Gastric juice naturally contains hydrochloric acid, which is essential for breaking down food during the digestive process.

• How To Get Rid Of Sour Stomach – 12 Natural Remedies
• Causes Of Sour Stomach
• Symptoms Of Sour Stomach

How To Get Rid Of Sour Stomach – 12 Natural Remedies

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can help counteract the extra acid produced in the stomach and restore the stomach’s pH to its normal levels. Its use dates back to the 18th century for relieving stomach aches and discomfort (3).

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• A glass of water

What You Have To Do

Mix the ACV and honey in the water and drink this mixture.

How Often You Need To Do This

Repeat after a few hours if required.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a commonly used home remedy for indigestion. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it neutralizes the extra acid in the stomach and relieves nausea and bloating in the stomach. However, scientific studies claim that consuming baking soda in excess can lead to cardiac problems and metabolic issues (4), (5). Hence, you need to consult a healthcare provider before trying this remedy. Do not follow it without medical supervision.

You Will Need

• 1/2-1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 glass of water

What You Have To Do

Mix the baking soda in the water and drink immediately.

How Often You Need To Do This

Repeat after four hours, if required.

3. Bananas

The banana is easy on the stomach. It has been used traditionally to treat stomach and digestion issues (6), (7).

You Will Need

Bananas

What You Have To Do

Eat a banana either before or after your meals.

How Often You Need To Do This

You can eat 2-3 bananas in a day.

4. Ginger Ale

Ginger ale is a carbonated drink that consists of ginger extracts. Ginger can help relieve indigestion and upset stomach due to the phytochemicals present in it (8), (9), (10). It may also help you burp and relieve nausea (11).

You Will Need

Homemade ginger ale or ginger tea

What You Have To Do

Drink a glass of ginger ale or tea whenever you experience a sour stomach or indigestion.

How Often You Need To Do This

Repeat as and when required.

Did You Know?

Ginger works as a free radical-scavenging antioxidant and helps in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Both these functions are said to be responsible for its gastroprotective benefits (8).

5. Chamomile Tea

The phenolic compounds and terpenoidsⁱ  XThey are large and diverse groups of chemical compounds that help in the growth and development of plants. present in chamomile relax your digestive system. This tea can help relieve stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, and indigestion (12), (13), (14). It also has carminativeⁱ  XThe property of any drug or substance to either prevent gas formation in the abdomen or expel the gas to relieve flatulence. properties and can relieve flatulence (15).

You Will Need

• 1-2 teaspoons dried chamomile or a teabag
• A cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Steep the chamomile in hot water for about 15 minutes.
2. Strain and drink this decoction while it is warm.

How Often You Need To Do This

Drink 2-3 cups of chamomile tea in a day.

6. Cinnamon

Cinnamon exerts gastroprotective effects. It has been used for ages to treat indigestion, abdominal cramps, nausea, and flatulence (16).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• A cup of warm water

What You Have To Do

Mix the cinnamon powder in the water and sip on this tea.

How Often You Need To Do This

Repeat after an hour if required.

7. Green Tea

Green tea is rich in antioxidants. Consuming green tea every day can help prevent gastrointestinal disorders (17).

Caution: Avoid milk tea and milk products if you have a sour stomach.

You Will Need

• 1-2 teaspoons green tea leaves or a teabag
• A cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Steep the green tea leaves or teabag for 5-10 minutes and strain.
2. Drink this tea while it is warm. You can add a bit of honey and/or lemon.

How Often You Need To Do This

Have 2-3 cups of green tea in a day.

8. Oatmeal

Oatmeal can help soothe stomach problems. It is an easy-to-digest food and also rich in fiber. Pair it up with toast, use it as a replacement for white rice, or prepare it with nuts. It possesses potential prebiotic properties, which contribute to gut health (18).

Caution: Do not use milk as it may irritate your stomach further.

You Will Need

• 1 cup oatmeal
• Warm water
• 1-2 teaspoons honey (optional)
• Fruits like berries and bananas (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Prepare a bowl of oatmeal with warm water.
2. Add honey and fruits of your choice and eat it as a meal.

How Often You Need To Do This

Eat a bowl or two of oatmeal a day.

9. Juices For Sour Stomach

(a) Apple Juice

Apple contains pectin, a fiber that can help enhance digestion and improve the intestinal environment, leading to better gastrointestinal health (19).

You Will Need

Organic or pressed apple juice

What You Have To Do

Drink a cup of apple juice. You can also dilute it with water in the ratio 1:1 if you feel it is too thick.

How Often You Need To Do This

Do this 2 times a day for a few days.

(b) Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has antacid effects (20). It can help relieve bloating, gas, and heartburn. It improves digestion and enhances bile flow to the stomach. Lemon juice also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties (21). These properties protect your stomach from infections.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• A cup of warm water

What You Have To Do

Mix the lemon juice in the warm water and sip on it.

How Often You Need To Do This

Drink another cup of lemon water after a few hours if required.

(c) Aloe Vera Juice

A study found that aloe vera juice could help reduce symptoms of GERDⁱ  XGastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive condition in which stomach acid irritates the food pipe lining. , like belching, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and acid and food regurgitation (22).

You Will Need

• Aloe vera leaf
• A glass of water

What You Have To Do

1. Cut the aloe vera leaf at its base and let the sap ooze out. Place the leaf on a plate and cut through the middle to remove the aloe vera gel.
2. Mix two tablespoons of this in a glass of water and drink it.
3. You can store the rest of the gel for a week to 10 days in the refrigerator.

How Often You Need To Do This

Drink 2 glasses of fresh aloe vera juice every day.

10. Olive Oil

Olive oil was found to help relieve constipation in patients (23). These properties may also soothe an upset stomach and help with digestion. Hence, it may also help with a sour stomach.

You Will Need

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

What You Have To Do

Take this half an hour before your meals.

How Often You Need To Do This

Do this before every meal.

11. Papaya

Papaya is a long-term remedy for sour stomach. Consuming papaya can relieve symptoms of abnormal digestion, like flatulence, bloating, and burning sensation (24).

You Will Need

A cup of fresh papaya

What You Have To Do

Eat papaya half an hour before your meals.

How Often You Need To Do This

Eat 2-3 cups a day.

12. Yogurt

Yogurt contains probiotics that control the overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria that are causing excess acid production, flatulence, and bloating (25).

You Will Need

Organic plain yogurt

What You Have To Do

Eat 2-3 cups of plain yogurt during the day. You can have it before meals, during meals, or in between meals as a snack.

How Often You Need To Do This

Include yogurt in your daily diet.

Apart from the above-listed sour stomach remedies, anecdotal evidence recommends adding ingredients like caraway seeds, cumin seeds, licorice water, fenugreek, slippery elm, cloves, cardamom, marshmallow root, and pineapples to enhance the taste of these remedies. Teas like dandelion tea, licorice tea, and fennel tea may also be used to treat sour stomachs. However, most of these ingredients have no scientific evidence or research that can prove their efficacy. Please consult a doctor before trying these remedies.

Wondering what causes a sour stomach? Well, there are various factors that can lead to a sour stomach. The most common ones are listed below.

Causes Of Sour Stomach

• Overeating – Consuming more food than you can digest leads to excess production of hydrochloric acid, leading to acidity and sour stomach.
• Carbonated Beverages – They contain aerated gas and alcohol, which lead to the production of excess acid in the stomach.
• Spicy Foods – Spicy foods often lead to a burning sensation in the alimentary and digestive tracts, indicating the onset of a sour stomach.
• Foods That Weaken The Lower Esophageal Sphincter – Coffee, tea, chocolate, mint, citrus, dairy, etc.
• Medical Conditions – Occasionally, a persistent sour stomach may be caused due to gastritis and pylori.

Sarah Robbins, MD, MSc, FRCPC, says, “The most common bacterial infection associated with reflux and dyspepsia is Helicobacter pylori. Your healthcare provider can assess for the presence of this infection using blood or stool tests, a specialized breath test, or stomach biopsies. This may require a specialized course of antibiotics to treat. There are increasing rates of antibiotic resistance for Helicobacter infections, so discuss this with your physician directly.”

She adds, “Less commonly, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and gut dysbiosis (altered bacteria) can contribute to a sour stomach. These may be treated occasionally with antibiotics. However, as a general rule, I would advise you to avoid antibiotics and focus on a strategy to achieve a thriving gut microbiome instead.”

Symptoms Of Sour Stomach

Robbins says, “Sour stomach generally refers to gastroesophageal reflux, although for some patients, this may also be a manifestation of functional dyspepsia or other more serious disorders. Acid reflux events generally last for several minutes, and even as long as 2-3 hours.” A person who has a sour stomach has the following symptoms:

• Nausea – The accumulation of acid in the stomach causes a sensation of vomiting. It is also commonly referred to as queasiness or bilus.
• Regurgitation – This is reflux or backward flow of the stomach contents into the esophagus, which can reach up as high as the throat. This leads to a burning sensation and sour taste in the esophagus and alimentary tract.
• Stomach Bloating – This refers to the sensation of feeling bloated or full even after a small meal. It is accompanied by gas in the stomach. This causes extensive cramps and belching. This is the most common symptom of a sour stomach.

According to a survey conducted on 88,795 participants, it was seen that 12,324 (13.9%) reported bloating in a week. Of these, 58.5% never sought treatment for bloating and 29% were self-managing symptoms or were not comfortable discussing their symptoms with a healthcare provider.

Robbins cautions, “Problematic acid reflux generally occurs more than twice per week. You should see a healthcare provider if your episodes are increasing in frequency or in severity. The following symptoms should prompt you to make an appointment with your doctor:

• Vomiting – especially large volumes or forceful vomiting
• Spitting up blood or passing blood in the stool
• Involuntary weight loss
• Chest pain
• A family history of stomach or esophageal cancer
• Painful swallowing, or the sensation that food is getting stuck when you swallow
• If you are using prescription anti-reflux medications and you feel they aren’t working”

She adds, “In these instances, your healthcare provider may refer you to a gastroenterologist or for X-rays, blood work, or even upper endoscopy.”

Infographic: Top Drinks To Soothe A Sour Stomach Naturally

An upset or sour stomach is typically seen after a night of overindulging food, especially greasy ones. Turn the tables in this unpleasant condition with just a glass of nourishing, delicious drinks.

Check out the infographic below to learn the best beneficial beverages you need to have handy to soothe your stomach naturally.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get rid of a sour stomach in 5 minutes?

Over-the-counter antacids, ginger, soda, fennel seeds and peppermint tea can instantly help with a sour stomach. However, it may take longer than 5 minutes to get rid of the discomfort.

Is Tums good for a sour stomach?

Yes, Tums can help neutralize the acidic environment in the stomach and treat indigestion and heartburn in most cases.

What causes sour stomach burps?

Stress, IBS, acid reflux and certain foods that create excess gas in the stomach can cause sour stomach burps.

Relieve your sour stomach with these natural home remedies! Check out this video to learn how to bring relief with simple ingredients found in your kitchen.

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Dr. Millie LytleND, MPH

     

Dr. Millie Lytle has 8 years of experience in naturopathic medicine, is a member of the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians (NYANP), and sits on the Medical Advisory Board for the School of Applied Functional Medicine. She is the founder of Nat Med Coach, offering a weekly Virtual Health Club, as well as concierge programs with integrative teams of...more

Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling. Her passion for writing and her educational background have assisted her substantially in writing quality content on topics related to health and wellness for over three years. In her free...more

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Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

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Dipti is a health and wellness writer specializing in holistic health practices. She graduated from Maharishi Dayanand University, Haryana, and has worked closely with Ayurvedic doctors, which has given her a deep understanding of traditional remedies and their applications. She writes articles that provide guidance on natural remedies for common health concerns, empowering readers to embrace the healing power of...more