The fastest way to get rid of heartburn is to take an over-the-counter antacid, which can start raising the pH in your esophagus within about 6 minutes for some formulations and 30 minutes for most others. But if you don’t have antacids on hand, several home remedies and physical adjustments can ease the burn quickly. Here’s what actually works and why.
Antacids Work Fastest
Chewable antacids containing calcium carbonate (like Tums) or a calcium-magnesium blend are the quickest over-the-counter option. A calcium-magnesium carbonate formulation raised esophageal pH above 3 in under 6 minutes in one study, though most antacids take closer to 30 to 35 minutes to meaningfully change acid levels in the esophagus. The difference matters less than you’d think: most people feel some relief within minutes of chewing a tablet because the antacid starts neutralizing acid on contact as it travels down.
If heartburn is a recurring problem, you may have noticed a different type of medication on pharmacy shelves: acid reducers like famotidine. These work differently. Instead of neutralizing acid that’s already there, they reduce how much acid your stomach produces. They take longer to kick in and are better suited for preventing heartburn rather than stopping it mid-episode. Proton pump inhibitors (like omeprazole) take several days to reach full effect and aren’t designed for immediate relief at all.
The Baking Soda Method
If you don’t have antacids at home, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a legitimate substitute. It’s the same active ingredient sold as an over-the-counter antacid. Mix half a level teaspoon into half a glass of water (about 4 ounces) and drink it. You can repeat every two hours if needed, but don’t exceed six half-teaspoon doses in 24 hours. If you’re over 60, the limit drops to three doses per day.
It tastes unpleasant and can cause burping, but it neutralizes stomach acid rapidly. This is a short-term fix, not a daily habit. Regular use adds a lot of sodium to your diet and can disrupt your body’s acid-base balance.
Chew Gum for 15 to 30 Minutes
Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, and saliva is mildly alkaline. Swallowing that extra saliva helps wash acid back down out of the esophagus and buffer what remains. Studies show that chewing gum significantly improves esophageal pH within 15 to 30 minutes. Sugar-free gum works fine. Avoid mint-flavored varieties, though, since mint can relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus and make reflux worse.
Loosen Your Clothes
This sounds too simple to matter, but tight waistbands have a measurable effect on reflux. A belt or snug waistband increases pressure inside your stomach by about 7 to 9 mmHg, which is enough to increase acid reflux events roughly eightfold. Even more striking, a tight belt nearly quadruples the time it takes your esophagus to clear acid after a reflux episode: from about 23 seconds to over 81 seconds. If you’re wearing a belt, high-waisted jeans, or shapewear, loosening or removing it can provide noticeable relief within minutes.
Change Your Position
Gravity is your ally here. If you’re lying down, sit up or stand. If you need to stay in bed, elevate your upper body with a wedge pillow or by propping the head of your bed up by 6 to 8 inches. Simply stacking pillows under your head doesn’t work as well because it can bend your body at the waist and actually increase abdominal pressure.
If you’re going to lie down, your left side is significantly better than your right. When you lie on your right side, your stomach sits above your esophagus, and gravity pulls acid toward the valve that’s supposed to keep it contained. Flip to your left side and the anatomy reverses: your esophagus sits above your stomach, so acid has to travel uphill to reach your throat. Studies consistently show that right-side sleeping causes more reflux episodes and longer acid exposure than left-side sleeping.
Avoid These Foods Right Now
While you’re dealing with active heartburn, stay away from anything that relaxes the muscular valve at the top of your stomach or irritates your already-inflamed esophagus. The main offenders:
- High-fat foods directly relax the valve and slow stomach emptying, keeping acid around longer
- Chocolate contains both fat and compounds that loosen the valve
- Alcohol relaxes the valve and increases acid production
- Carbonated drinks increase stomach pressure and reduce valve tone
- Coffee and caffeinated tea stimulate acid secretion
- Mint (including peppermint tea) relaxes the valve
- Citrus, tomatoes, and spicy foods irritate an already-sensitive esophagus
You don’t necessarily need to avoid all of these forever, but while you’re actively trying to stop heartburn, any of them will work against you.
Ginger as a Mild Natural Option
Ginger has some clinical support for calming gastrointestinal discomfort, though the evidence is stronger for nausea than for acid reflux specifically. Clinical trials have used doses equivalent to about 1 to 2 grams of ginger root, and participants showed reduced GI pain and improved stomach motility. Fresh ginger steeped in hot water as a tea is the simplest way to try it. It won’t neutralize acid the way an antacid does, but if your heartburn is mild and you prefer a natural approach, it’s a reasonable option.
When Heartburn Isn’t Heartburn
Chest pain from acid reflux and chest pain from a heart attack can feel uncomfortably similar. If your chest pain comes with pressure or squeezing that spreads to your neck, jaw, or arms, shortness of breath, cold sweats, or sudden dizziness, call 911. These are heart attack warning signs. Heartburn typically produces a burning sensation behind the breastbone that worsens when you lie down or bend over, often after eating. If you’ve had an episode of unexplained chest pain that resolved on its own and you didn’t seek care, it’s worth following up with your doctor.
Why Quick Fixes Shouldn’t Become a Routine
Reaching for antacids or baking soda occasionally is fine. But if you’re treating heartburn multiple times a week, the pattern itself is the problem. Frequent acid reflux can damage the lining of your esophagus over time. And relying on stronger acid-suppressing medications creates its own issue: after four or more weeks of daily use, your stomach can respond to withdrawal by overproducing acid, a phenomenon called rebound hypersecretion. This typically shows up 5 to 14 days after stopping the medication and lasts about 4 to 5 days, but it can make your original symptoms feel worse and tempt you into restarting the medication in a frustrating cycle.
If heartburn is a weekly occurrence, identifying and addressing the root cause, whether that’s eating patterns, weight, stress, or a structural issue with your esophageal valve, will do more for you than any fast remedy.