What juices are good for stomach problems?
Having stomach problems can be uncomfortable and disrupt your daily life. While there are many medical treatments available, some people look to natural remedies like juices to help soothe digestive issues. Certain fruits, vegetables and herbs can have healing properties that may help relieve symptoms associated with common stomach problems.
Acid Reflux and Heartburn
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain and difficulty swallowing. Making dietary changes is one of the main treatments, which includes avoiding acidic foods that can aggravate symptoms. Some juices may help reduce acid reflux symptoms:
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera juice contains compounds that may help control inflammation and heal damaged tissues in the esophagus. Multiple studies have found that drinking aloe vera juice can help relieve heartburn, balance stomach acidity and improve overall gastrointestinal function.
Cucumber Juice
Cucumber juice is highly alkaline and contains anti-inflammatory compounds. This helps neutralize stomach acid and relieve acid reflux symptoms like heartburn. Cucumber juice also provides hydration to help dilute irritating stomach acids.
Fennel Juice
Fennel contains anti-inflammatory phytonutrients that may help reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Animal studies have found that fennel juice helps relax the muscles in the digestive tract, which can relieve painful spasms and allow stomach acids to flow back down instead of rising up.
Cabbage Juice
Cabbage juice contains glutamine, an amino acid that helps repair damage to the esophageal lining caused by stomach acid. Drinking cabbage juice may help heal this damage and prevent painful acid reflux flare-ups.
Kefir
This fermented milk beverage contains probiotics that help balance gut bacteria and improve digestion. The healthy bacteria in kefir may help increase the stomach’s defenses against acid, reducing symptoms of acid reflux.
Indigestion and Gas
Indigestion causes discomfort or burning pain in the upper abdomen, along with problems digesting and passing gas. Juices with digestive enzymes, anti-inflammatory compounds and probiotics may be helpful:
Papaya Juice
Papaya contains the enzyme papain which breaks down proteins and aids digestion. Studies show papaya juice may improve digestion, bloating and constipation that worsens indigestion.
Ginger Juice
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that may help relax the intestines and stimulate digestion. Ginger juice also helps expel gas, making it a useful home remedy for bloating and flatulence.
Apple Juice
Apple juice contains pectin, a soluble fiber that helps move contents through the digestive tract. This improves elimination and prevents gas from building up and causing indigestion pain.
Beet Juice
Beets are high in fiber to promote regularity and proper digestion. Beet juice also provides anti-inflammatory betaine, which may help calm indigestion symptoms.
Kombucha
This fermented tea contains probiotics, enzymes and organic acids that aid digestion and improve gut health. Studies show kombucha may help prevent and treat stomach ulcers and other gastric disorders that underlie indigestion.
Gastritis
Gastritis refers to inflammation of the stomach lining, causing burning, gnawing stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and a feeling of fullness. Try these soothing, anti-inflammatory juices:
Cabbage Juice
Cabbage juice contains antioxidants and glutamine that help healinflammation in the stomach lining and protect it from further damage.
Potato Juice
Potatoes provide carbohydrates, electrolytes and nutrients the body needs when recovering from gastritis flare-ups. Potato juice is easily digestible and gentle on the damaged stomach lining.
Cucumber Juice
Cucumbers are high in water content and balance stomach acidity due to their alkaline properties. Cucumber juice is also anti-inflammatory and helps relieve gastritis symptoms.
Carrot Juice
Carrots soothe the stomach and provide vitamin A, potassium and antioxidants that regulate stomach acid and help repair and regenerate damaged stomach tissues.
Barley Juice
Barley is highly alkaline and contains antioxidants that reduce inflammation and discomfort from gastritis. Barley juice’s easily digestible nutrients also prevent hunger and promote healing.
Peptic Ulcers
Peptic ulcers are open sores on the lining of the stomach, esophagus or small intestine, usually caused by bacteria or frequent use of anti-inflammatory medications. Juices may help speed ulcer healing:
Cabbage Juice
Cabbage juice promotes blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract to enhance healing and strengthen the stomach lining. Its high vitamin U content specifically helps build up depleted mucus layers that protect and heal ulcers.
Honeydew Juice
Honeydew melon is high in protective antioxidants and provides electrolytes, fluids and nutrients vital for repairing damaged tissues in the digestive tract. It also coats and soothes peptic ulcer lesions.
Blueberry Juice
The anthocyanins in blueberries have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that help heal ulcers by protecting cells from bacteria and inhibiting enzymes that erode the stomach lining.
Spinach Juice
Spinach is high in vitamin K and glutamine, which help rebuild the ulcer-damaged mucosal lining of the stomach and intestines. It also inhibits growth of ulcer-causing H. Pylori bacteria.
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera juice enhances collagen formation and stimulates rapid repair of damaged tissues associated with peptic ulcers. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties also help heal ulcers and prevent recurrence.
Diarrhea and Constipation
Diarrhea and constipation represent opposite extremes on the spectrum of healthy digestion. Juices that provide fluids, electrolytes, nutrients and fiber can help resolve both conditions:
Coconut Water
Coconut water is soothing on the digestive tract and replenishes fluids and electrolytes lost during diarrhea. Starting with small amounts can help shorten the duration of diarrhea.
Chia Seed Juice
Chia seeds become gel-like in liquid, which can help regulate stools. The fiber and healthy fats in chia seed juice also feed beneficial gut bacteria to reduce diarrhea and relieve constipation.
Prune Juice
Prune juice acts as a natural laxative by stimulating bowel contractions. Prunes are high in fiber, antioxidants and sorbitol, which help hydrate and soften stools to relieve constipation.
Wheatgrass Juice
Wheatgrass provides nutrients like chlorophyll that improve intestinal health and reduce gut inflammation that can lead to both diarrhea and constipation. It also stimulates immunity against bacterial infections causing diarrhea.
Apple Juice
The fiber in apple juice may benefit both diarrhea and constipation when consumed in moderation. It absorbs excess moisture during diarrhea and adds bulk to stool to relieve constipation.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea is the unpleasant urge to vomit, while vomiting forces the contents of the stomach up through the esophagus. These uncomfortable symptoms have many possible causes. Staying hydrated is very important when vomiting, and these juices may help reduce nausea:
Ginger Juice
Ginger is known for its ability to relieve nausea by breaking up and expelling intestinal gas. Ginger also minimizes vomiting and stimulates digestive juices to improve tolerance of food intake.
Lemon Juice
Many people find the tart, sour flavor of lemon juice helps “settle” the stomach during nausea. Lemon also stimulates saliva and digestion to prevent nausea induced by excessive stomach acids.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice provides antioxidants as well as vitamin C to restore fluids and electrolyte balance. Its astringent, sour taste may also disrupt nausea signals to the brain.
Peppermint Juice
Peppermint contains menthol, which helps relax stomach muscles to relieve the spasms that can trigger nausea and vomiting. Peppermint also improves bile flow for better digestion.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea has anti-nausea effects. It contains glycoside compounds that minimize vomiting, calm spasms and relax the stomach to make nausea easier to endure.
Conclusion
Stomach problems like acid reflux, gas, gastritis, ulcers, diarrhea and nausea are uncomfortable to deal with and can severely impact your daily life. While medical treatment is advised for persistent or severe symptoms, adding certain beneficial juices to your diet can help provide natural relief in many cases.
Juices with ingredients like aloe vera, fennel, cabbage, cucumber, papaya, ginger, apple, coconut, cranberry, lemon and chamomile have specific properties that help ease different types of digestive distress. They work by hydrating, replacing lost nutrients, reducing inflammation, soothing the gastrointestinal lining and encouraging the growth of healthy gut bacteria.
Drinking fresh juices made from vegetables, fruits and herbs can be a tasty adjunct to other remedies when facing common stomach ailments. Just be sure to consume them in moderation and stick to your doctor’s treatment plan for any underlying digestive disorders.