Better Natural Tums Alternatives for On-the-Go Relief

We’ve all reached for Tums from time to time for quick relief from “nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea”… you know the deal.

But Tums come with some pretty iffy side effects (constipation, gas, dry mouth, headache) and are definitely meant to be used temporarily and for brief periods of time.

Luckily, there are natural alternatives that provide quick relief while you’re out and about with fewer side effects and more natural ingredients. And yes, they actually work.

Here are the better natural Tums alternatives that you should give a try next time you’re having tummy issues.

Better Natural Tums Alternatives At a Glance

1. Reflux Gourmet Gum– Best overall/best gum
2. Wonderbelly Antacid Chews– Best tasting tablet
3. Genexa Clean Maximum Strength Antacid– Most similar to Tums
4. Traditional Medicinals Belly Comfort Lozenges– Best lozenge
5. Soothe Naturals Stomach Soothe– Best long-term benefits

How Do TUMS Work?

Tums calms upset stomachs by using acid neutralization to keep an excess of stomach acid (which leads to that heartburn sensation, diarrhea, nausea, and more) in check. They do this using an alkaline compound, calcium carbonate, that raises the pH of the stomach to reduce that burning sensation. Tums contain talc, which could be contaminated with asbestos, which provides a very real health concern.

Because of the alkaline compound, Tums are able to neutralize acid really quickly, which is why they’re a favorite go-to for near-immediate relief while you’re out and about. That being said, while great for immediacy, Tums are not intended to be an ongoing or long-term solution, which makes them less-than-ideal for folks suffering from chronic issues like GERD or IBS.

How Natural Alternatives Work

Natural alternatives can use a similar approach to immediately stop heartburn, or they can relieve symptoms in an entirely different way. Here are a few different ways that natural supplements work on your digestive system:

• Acid Neutralization- Some natural alternatives also use naturally alkaline substances like sodium bicarbonate or mineral-rich natural clay to neutralize stomach acid. This provides a similar “quick fix” to traditional antacids without synthetic additives.
• Forming a Protective Barrier (with Alginates)- Alginates, which are actually derived from brown seaweed (aka Kelp), can form a gel-like “raft” that floats on top of your stomach contents. This physical barrier keeps acid from rising into the esophagus, giving fast and lasting relief from reflux symptoms.
• Soothing & Coating Herbs- Natural ingredients like slippery elm, marshmallow root, and licorice root coat and soothe the esophagus and stomach lining. This protective layer calms irritation, reduces burning, and supports tissue healing.
• Improving Overall Digestion- Herbs like ginger, peppermint, and chamomile move digestion along and reduce bloating and gas. By helping the stomach process food more efficiently, they reduce the pressure that leads to acid reflux.
• Balancing the Gut with Probiotics & Prebiotics- Instead of just calming symptoms, probiotics and prebiotics restore healthy gut flora. A balanced gut reduces acid flare-ups, eases indigestion, and promotes long-term digestive health.

Benefits of Natural Tums Alternatives

Besides the obvious benefit of relief from stomach issues, natural Tums alternatives offer plenty of additional benefits, like 

• Gentler on the body- Natural alternatives often use food-based or plant-based ingredients that don’t disrupt your body’s natural acid balance as harshly as traditional antacids and nausea meds. 
• Fewer additives- Many of these natural options avoid things like artificial dyes, flavors, and fillers, making them more suitable for people with sensitivities or concerns about unknown ingredients.
• Support long-term gut health- Probiotic- or enzyme-based alternatives can improve digestion and balance gut bacteria over time.
• Holistic relief– Many of these natural options don’t just target acid but also soothe inflammation, calm the stomach lining, and provide relief from other gut issues like bloating.
• Less risk of rebound acid- Because they don’t directly block or suppress stomach acid, these natural options could reduce the risk of worsening symptoms once they wear off, which is a common issue with Tums and other antacids like PPIs.

How I Picked These Natural Tums Alternatives

• Fast-acting performance- We take Tums for FAST relief, so I only included remedies that show noticeable relief quickly, rather than hours later.
• Ingredient transparency- Every option had to list its full formula clearly, with no vague “proprietary blends.”
• Consistency across uses- I looked for products that work reliably and consistently, not ones that only help sometimes or lose efficacy the more you use them.
• Ease of use- I chose supplements that are simple to take, with chewables, liquids, and lozenges.
• Reputation and trust- Since natural remedies often get side-eyed by skeptics of “natural remedies,” I focused on brands with positive customer feedback, third-party testing, or clinical studies that support the effectiveness of their ingredients.

The Best Natural Alternatives to Tums for Fast Relief

1. Reflux Gourmet Gum

Best overall/best gum

Topping the list is my personal favorite, Reflux Gourmet Gum in the flavor “Berry Soothe.”

This delicious gum uses alginate therapy to create a gel-like raft that sits on top of the contents of your stomach, keeping acid from rising into your esophagus. The gum itself increases the production of saliva in your mouth, which naturally reduces acid in the stomach, providing an extra defense against an upset tummy.

The flavor of the gum is great, without being too chalky or artificial. It’s also super effective and starts working immediately. All you have to do is chew a piece after meals so it can get to work soothing and coating your esophagus.

It’s gluten-free, allergen-free, and cruelty-free, with an alginate blend as well as other stomach-soothing ingredients like ginger and aloe vera. There are hundreds of 5-star reviews for it on Amazon, and I personally find it to be super effective. The only downside is the price. It’s $22 for 30 pieces of gum.

2. Wonderbelly Antacid Chews

Best-tasting chewable tablet

If you want a tablet that tastes seriously good, check out Wonderbelly Antacid Chews in Strawberry Milkshake. This acid-neutralizing solution comes in the form of an absolutely delicious strawberry shake-flavored chewable tablet, making taking it a pleasant and positive experience. 

It uses 1000 mg of tried-and-true active ingredient calcium carbonate, the same one found in Tums and multiple other antacids, but in a more natural and talc-free formula. Other clean ingredients include corn starch (to help the tablet break apart easier when you chew) and non-GMO natural flavoring.

What I love about this one is it’s super accessible. You can find it for $12 a package at national retail chains like Target and CVS. The only downside is that you don’t get added benefits like improved digestion or gut biome balancing and, just like with Tums, you shouldn’t take it for an extended period of time.

3. Genexa Clean Maximum Strength Antacid

Most similar to Tums

If you want the whole Tums experience without the unnatural extra ingredients, try the Genexa Clean Maximum Strength Antacid. It’s like Tums’ natural, healthier fraternal twin.

Like Tums, Genexa’s clean version contains 1000mg of calcium carbonate, just without the less healthy Tums additives like artificial sweeteners, flavors, and dyes. It’s certified non-GMO and gluten-free, which is great for folks focused on a more natural lifestyle. Most importantly, talc is left off the ingredient list.

It’s super affordable at just $14 for 72 tablets and has thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon, with customers appreciating the lack of dyes and quick relief from stomach issues. Unfortunately, it has the same limitations as Tums, with short-lasting effects and no other added benefits. Still, if you’re just looking for something that’s almost the exact same product, it’s a clean and affordable alternative.

4. Traditional Medicinals Belly Comfort Lozenges

Best lozenge

If a lozenge is more your vibe, Traditional Medicinals Belly Comfort Lozenges is your best bet. Long-time trusted herbal supplement brand Traditional Medicinals offers organic, all-natural solutions for GI issues, including the same mix in a tea blend. 

Belly Comfort’s active ingredient is ginger, which is a potent, anti-inflammatory root that has been used for over 2,000 years to aid in digestion, nausea, and other digestive issues.

These organic lozenges are designed to hold up through travel, making them great to throw in your bag or bring with you on a trip. They also have thousands of positive reviews, with users praising the zesty ginger and lemon flavor with no weird aftertaste, as well as the fast-acting and effective for everything from acid reflux to morning sickness and nausea from stress.

At just $10 a bag, these stomach-soothing lozenges are an affordable, effective, and healthier alternative to Tums. Since they only contain ginger as an active ingredient, they’re not as powerful as other alternatives on this list for seriously upset stomachs.

5. Soothe Naturals Stomach Soothe

Best long-term benefits

If you want a digestive aid that provides serious long-term benefits to your overall health, splurge for Soothe Naturals Stomach Settle.

This supplement comes in the form of a powder that contains powerful amino acids and prebiotics, including known esophagus-coating/soothing ingredients like arrowroot, slippery elm bark, papaya, and L-glutamine. The all-natural blend has anti-inflammatory ingredients that also work to enhance gut barrier function and promote digestive tract healing. This means not only immediate relief from your tummyache, but a better digestive system, leading to less bloating, gas, and constipation over time. Prebiotics have also proven to help improve immune response.

This particular one comes with a pretty big downside, though. At $38 for 30 servings, it’s the most expensive pick on this list. But if you want fewer stomach issues down the line, the investment may be worth it.

Which Is the Best Natural Tums Alternative for On-the-Go Relief

At the end of the day, the best natural Tums alternative for you depends on what you’re looking for. If you want the fastest-acting gum that also provides additional relief via increased saliva production, try Reflux Gourmet’s Berry Soothe gum. 

For an ultra-affordable, almost-identical alternative, try Wonderbelly Antacid Chewable Tablets or the Genexa Clean Antacid. If you want an herbal solution, go with Traditional Medicinals’ Belly Comfort Lozenges. And for improved digestion and gut health over time, splurge on Stomach Soothe from Soothe Naturals.