Acid Reflux Remedies: Recommendations, Suggested Practices, and Beverages to Steer Clear Of
Acid reflux, a condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, can cause a burning sensation in the throat and chest. To help manage this condition, it's essential to be mindful of the drinks you consume. Here's a guide to the best and worst drinks for managing GERD and acid reflux.
The safest and most neutral choice is water, which helps wash acid down and keeps you hydrated. Other beneficial drinks include herbal teas such as ginger tea and chamomile tea, plant-based milks like almond milk or soy milk, and low-acid fruit juices (not orange or citrus). These drinks can calm the stomach, soothe discomfort, and are gentle on the stomach.
On the other hand, there are drinks to avoid as they can worsen GERD symptoms. Caffeinated beverages like coffee, certain teas, and sodas can relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and increase stomach pressure, making reflux worse. Carbonated drinks, such as Sprite, also increase the risk of GERD due to the bubbles creating extra pressure that can push acid up into the esophagus. Alcohol irritates the esophagus, relaxes the LES, and increases stomach acid production, often triggering reflux symptoms. Acidic fruit juices like orange juice have high acidity that can irritate the esophagus and exacerbate GERD symptoms.
Apple cider vinegar is controversial, as there is no strong clinical evidence supporting its benefit for reflux, and it can worsen heartburn if not properly diluted. Gatorade and other sports drinks are acidic and may exacerbate symptoms of acid reflux. Citrus juices are highly acidic and can worsen acid reflux symptoms due to their acidity and compounds that may relax the lower esophageal sphincter and delay gastric emptying.
In summary, sticking to non-caffeinated, non-carbonated, low-acid drinks, especially herbal teas and plant-based milks, can help manage GERD. Avoid drinks that relax the LES or increase acid production such as caffeine, alcohol, and acidic juices.
In addition to managing your drink choices, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, elevating the head of the bed while sleeping, and avoiding tightly fitting clothes can help manage acid reflux and other symptoms of GERD. Drinking water can help with digestion and ensure the appropriate passing of food through the gastrointestinal system, reducing the frequency of post-meal acid reflux.
Regularly taking small sips of water throughout the day can clear acid in the esophagus and treat a GERD-related chronic cough. Over-the-counter and prescription medications such as antacids, H2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors can help treat acid reflux and other symptoms of GERD.
Obesity, pregnancy, nicotine use, dry mouth, diabetes, and hiatal hernia can increase the risk of severe GERD symptoms. Low-fat and plant-based milks can help manage acid reflux because foods and drinks with high fat content can exacerbate symptoms. Ginger tea can help reduce acid reflux symptoms by easing pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and improving gastric emptying. Almond milk is also alkaline, which can help neutralize stomach acid.
References: [1] American College of Gastroenterology. (2020). Acid reflux and GERD: Causes, symptoms, and treatments. Retrieved from https://www.acg.org/patients/disease-information/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-gerd [2] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2020). Acid reflux (GER). Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger [3] Mayo Clinic. (2020). Apple cider vinegar: Health benefits, side effects, and uses. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/apple-cider-vinegar/art-20048389 [4] Cleveland Clinic. (2020). GERD: Symptoms, causes, and treatments. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17034-gerd [5] Healthline. (2020). Ginger tea benefits: What the science says. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ginger-tea-benefits [6] WebMD. (2020). Chamomile tea: Uses, benefits, and safety. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-940/chamomile-tea
- Drinking water helps wash acid down and keeps you hydrated, making it beneficial for managing GERD and acid reflux.
- Herbal teas such as ginger tea and chamomile tea can calm the stomach, soothe discomfort, and are gentle on the stomach.
- Plant-based milks like almond milk or soy milk are beneficial drinks for GERD management due to their neutrality.
- Low-acid fruit juices (not orange or citrus) can help manage GERD symptoms as they are gentle on the esophagus.
- Caffeinated beverages like coffee, certain teas, and sodas can relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and increase stomach pressure, making reflux worse.
- Carbonated drinks, such as Sprite, increase the risk of GERD due to the bubbles creating extra pressure that can push acid up into the esophagus.
- Alcohol irritates the esophagus, relaxes the LES, and increases stomach acid production, often triggering reflux symptoms.
- Acidic fruit juices like orange juice have high acidity that can irritate the esophagus and exacerbate GERD symptoms.
- Apple cider vinegar, while controversial, can worsen heartburn if not properly diluted.
- Gatorade and other sports drinks are acidic and may exacerbate symptoms of acid reflux.
- Citrus juices are highly acidic and can worsen acid reflux symptoms due to their acidity and compounds that may relax the lower esophageal sphincter and delay gastric emptying.
- Maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, elevating the head of the bed while sleeping, and avoiding tightly fitting clothes can help manage acid reflux and other symptoms of GERD.
- Drinking water can help with digestion and ensure the appropriate passing of food through the gastrointestinal system, reducing the frequency of post-meal acid reflux.
- Regularly taking small sips of water throughout the day can clear acid in the esophagus and treat a GERD-related chronic cough.
- Over-the-counter and prescription medications such as antacids, H2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors can help treat acid reflux and other symptoms of GERD.
- Obesity, pregnancy, nicotine use, dry mouth, diabetes, and hiatal hernia can increase the risk of severe GERD symptoms.
- Low-fat and plant-based milks can help manage acid reflux because foods and drinks with high fat content can exacerbate symptoms.
- Ginger tea can help reduce acid reflux symptoms by easing pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and improving gastric emptying.
- Almond milk is also alkaline, which can help neutralize stomach acid.
- In addition to managing drink choices, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for overall health and wellness.
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