The fat in milk can aggravate acid reflux. But nonfat milk can act as a temporary buffer between the stomach lining and acidic stomach contents and provide immediate relief of heartburn symptoms."
Drinks such as ginger tea, certain fruit and vegetable juices, and plant-based milks may benefit people experiencing acid reflux and heartburn. Avoiding citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and alcohol can also help to reduce symptom frequency and severity.
Yogurt that is not too sour is also excellent for acid reflux, because of the probiotics that help normalize bowel function. Yogurt also provides protein, and soothes stomach discomfort, often providing a cooling sensation. It is easy to choose foods by looking them up to see how acidic they are.
Dairy—particularly full-fat dairy—is one of the common trigger foods that can induce acid reflux. In fact, many people try cutting dairy out of their diets altogether to help manage heartburn symptoms. With that in mind, drinking a glass of milk to sooth your heartburn is, unfortunately, a myth.
You may find relief from infrequent heartburn with sodium bicarbonate, otherwise known as baking soda. Simply mix ½ teaspoon with four ounces of water to help neutralize the acid.
Avocado: Despite being high in fat, avocados are rich in healthy fats, which can settle your stomach and prevent acid reflux symptoms.
Whole grains — High fiber, whole-grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and whole grain breads help stop symptoms of acid reflux. They are a good source of fiber and may help absorb stomach acid.
Bananas for stomach acid are considered safe because they have alkaline (alkaline) properties. In addition, this fruit is also considered to help balance the acid in the stomach so that symptoms of acid reflux or GERD can be prevented.
Milk and dairy products are high in fat and tend to make heartburn worse. When you have frequent GERD symptoms, like heartburn, eating high-fat dairy products like cheese can aggravate your symptoms. Furthermore, cold dairy products like ice cream can actually numb and inhibit the lower esophageal sphincter's function.
Water has a pH that, at 7, is neutral. This dilutes the more acidic stomach fluids, bringing relief. But when you have had a meal that is too large, drinking water at the same time or immediately after can make GERD symptoms worse.
However, tea is also related to some clinical symptoms including heartburn and reflux. Tea consumption is reported to be associated with GERD, especially in Asian population. Theoretically, theophylline, a component of tea, may contribute to relax the LES, leading to esophageal acid reflux.
In general, drinking water can help balance the pH of a particularly acidic meal, which may help to lower the risk of acid reflux.
While it's good to drink a lot of water when you have GERD, avoid drinking water just before bed time. It'll only wake you up in the middle of the night because you have to use the bathroom, and it may not be easy to drift back to sleep.
Alkaline foods like melons, bananas, cauliflower, fennel, and nuts can offset gastric acid and reduce symptoms of burning chest pain. Watery foods like cucumber, celery, watermelon, herbal teas, and broths can dilute stomach acid and reduce the burning pain associated with heartburn.
Toast is easier to digest than bread as the toasting process breaks down some of the carbohydrates. Toast can help decrease nausea and reduce heartburn, but not all toast is the same. Whole wheat bread is more healthful than white bread but is high in fiber and can be difficult for some people to eat.
People with acid reflux should opt for whole grain bread over bread containing refined flours, such as white bread.
Eggs are neither good nor bad for acid reflux. They won't help your symptoms but are not known to trigger symptoms either (However trigger foods can differ from person to person, so if eggs cause you problems I would limit your intake.)
Foods to Eat on an Acid Reflux Diet
Noncitrus fruits: Apples, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries are safe bets.
People without a history of heartburn can suddenly develop heartburn as a result of eating certain foods, some eating patterns, drinking, and smoking. Stress, anxiety, certain medications, and some medical conditions can also cause it.
The most common cause is food that's acidic or high in fat—like citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, chocolate, coffee, cheese, and peppermint. Spicy foods or large meals can also be the root of distress. Other sources of heartburn include aspirin or ibuprofen, as well as some sedatives and blood pressure medications.