STARVE HEARTBURN

Adopting a new diet could extinguish that fire in your chest. Cutting out carbs helps relieve heartburn, according to a recent study from the University of North Carolina. The scientists report that within 4 days of initiating a lowcarbohydrate diet, overweight patients experienced a 44 percent reduction in the severity of heartburnlike symptoms. What’s more, the pain-causing acid in each person’s esophagus decreased by an average of 60 percent. The scientists aren’t sure why reducing carbs worked but report that in a previous study, patients’ symptoms returned once they started eating a carbohydrateheavy diet again. We all know how low carbs can help you lose weight. There’s a dual benefit: Losing weight helps relieve heartburn, too.