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.
Drinking cold water may improve acid reflux. Cold water has a certain sedative effect, which can effectively link the burning discomfort of the chest and throat. In addition, cold water can also help the balance and stability of body fluids in our body.
For mild, occasional heartburn, over-the-counter medications such as antacids and histamine blockers can help relieve symptoms. Always read the product label before taking an antacid or histamine blocker and never take a larger dose or take doses more frequently than directed.
Carbonated Beverages
Soft drinks not only relax the LES but also increase stomach acid levels. This may be due to the caffeine in popular cola products which can affect the LES and trigger acid reflux.
Root Beer surprisingly has the least acidity of all other soft drink options. This is likely due to the fact that it doesn't contain citric or phosphoric acids and is often non-carbonated.
THINGS TO AVOID:
Non-caffeinated beverages are okay such as water, Sprite, Ginger Ale, 7-Up, Gatorade, Fresca, and herbal (chamomile) teas. Avoid citrus juices especially orange juice, cranberry juice, and lemonade. Apple and grape juice are fine, especially if consumed in moderation. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
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. As a result, stomach acid can backwash up into the esophagus much easier.
Other than water, there are only a few beverage options that don't have citric acid, including some root beers, green tea, and milk and milk alternatives.
Cranberry juice can temporarily make conditions, such as acid reflux, worse because it is mildly acidic.
Ginger Ale is a popular option for settling an upset stomach and quelling nausea and abdominal discomfort related to vomiting, diarrhea, and other illness. Ginger tea is gentle on your stomach and can be used to prevent or treat acid reflux and even motion sickness!
2. Bananas. This low-acid fruit can help neutralize stomach acid by coating an irritated esophageal lining. And not only are bananas alkaline, they're also rich in pectin — a soluble fiber that helps keeps food flowing nicely through the digestive tract.
High Fat Drinks
However, there are several research studies that have shown that intake of high fat foods and beverages is linked to worsening GERD symptoms. Therefore, it might be best for you to avoid fatty drinks such as milkshakes or alcoholic drinks made with cream and liqueur if you have reflux.
Drinking water during the later stages of digestion can reduce acidity and GERD symptoms. Often, there are pockets of high acidity, between a pH or 1 and 2, just below the esophagus. By drinking tap or filtered water a little while after a meal, you can dilute the acid there, which can result in less heartburn.
Just like food, if you drink a lot of liquid, even water, this can put more pressure on the stomach and the LES and makes it much more likely for acid reflux to happen. Lower your liquid intake as you're approaching bedtime. Try to stop half an hour before you get in bed.
Soda and Acid Reflux Disease
Soda has a high level of acidity, which increases stomach acids. The carbonation or bubbles in soda puts stress on the lower esophageal sphincter, thereby increasing the risk for acid to reflux into the esophagus.
Non-carbonated drinks include fruit beverages like orange juice or watermelon punch, bottled water, iced tea, smoothies, coffee, and sports drinks.
The following sodas are listed from lowest level of acid to highest: root beer, Diet 7UP, Diet Coke, Diet Mountain Dew, Sprite, Mountain Dew, 7UP, Coke Zero, Diet Dr. Pepper, Slice Orange, Squirt, Fanta Orange, Pepsi, Coca Cola, Cherry Coke.
1. Water. Hydrating, inexpensive and sugar-free: water is the best choice for drinking over the day. If you want to give it some flavour without adding sugar, try adding ice cubes and fresh mint or strips of cucumber.
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."
Coca-Cola, due to its carbonic and phosphoric acid, has a pH of 2.6 and resembles the natural gastric acid that's thought to be important for fiber digestion, the researchers said. In addition, the sodium bicarbonate and carbon dioxide bubbles in the beverage might enhance the dissolving effect.
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.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center lists peanut butter as a good option for people with acid reflux. You should choose unsweetened, natural peanut butter when possible. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center specifies that smooth peanut butter is best.