To Drink or Not To Drink? The Best (and Worst) Beverages for Acid Reflux Sufferers

It’s keeping you up at night. 

The burning, backwash, and constant lump in your throat are driving you crazy. 

You’ve been dealing with acid reflux for too long and you’re ready to find relief. You’ve researched foods to avoid, but maybe there’s more triggering your symptoms. 

Could some of your favorite drinks be causing your acid reflux symptoms? It’s possible. 

Read on as we discuss what to drink with acid reflux, what drinks to avoid, and some of our top tips to manage and potentially overcome the issue.

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You’ve been diagnosed with acid reflux — or maybe you’ve just had multiple loved-ones suggest you have it after telling them your symptoms — but what is it?

Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when stomach acid flows back into your esophagus — the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. 

People dealing with acid reflux may experience symptoms like: 

• Heartburn
• Regurgitation
• Dysphagia
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Sore throat

If you’ve dealt with symptoms of GERD for any extended period of time, you may have already  done your research about common foods that can trigger GERD — been there, tried that, and you’re still dealing with the same symptoms. 

Unfortunately, it’s not just the foods we consume that trigger acid reflux. Liquids can also impact the severity of the symptoms.

You’ve taken coffee out of your morning routine. You’ve said goodbye to your favorite nightcap. 

Margaritas are no longer your drink of choice when you go out — instead, you’re choosing water. 

You just keep giving up things you enjoy to reduce the symptoms of GERD. If you’re tired of hearing what you can’t have, we don’t blame you. Learning what you can and cannot eat or drink can be frustrating. 

To help you overcome your symptoms and hopefully feel less “guilty” about what you’re consuming, we’ve created our list of drinks that may help reduce acid reflux symptoms.

Herbal teas can help alleviate GERD symptoms by reducing inflammation in your digestive tract, including the lining of your esophagus, and neutralizing stomach acids.

Let’s look at some of the most commonly preferred herbal teas for those experiencing acid reflux symptoms:

• Licorice root or marshmallow teas have active compounds in them that can increase mucus production and protect the esophagus from stomach acids.
• Turmeric tea may also help ease the effects of acid reflux by protecting the esophagus and the lower sphincter from stomach acid, thanks to a compound called curcumin. 
• Chamomile tea has been considered a natural remedy for calming upset stomachs for years. It may also help mitigate discomforts that can trigger digestive issues like stress and irritation. 

It's important to note that while herbal teas can be beneficial for acid reflux, some teas can worsen the symptoms. For example, teas high in caffeine or containing citrus can irritate the esophagus and exacerbate acid reflux.

Foods and beverages higher in fat have been proven to relax your esophageal sphincter — allowing it to potentially remain open and stomach acid to enter into your esophagus — and cause acid reflux.

 

While many people have been told that milk can help acid reflux symptoms, it depends on the type of milk. Whole milk, for example, should be avoided. Instead, opt for low-fat or fat-free milk products, which may help soothe symptoms.

If you’re looking for a milk substitute, consider drinks like: 

• Soy milk
• Almond milk
• Flax milk
• Coconut milk
• Oat milk; or 
• Cashew milk



These all have a lower fat content compared to most dairy products, making them an even better choice for those experiencing acid reflux. 

While acid reflux sufferers want to avoid acidic juices like pineapple or apple juices, many other alternatives won’t trigger your symptoms and may have other added health benefits. 

Some examples include: 

• Carrot juice
• Aloe vera juice
• Cabbage juice
• Cucumber juice 
• Celery juice
• Freshly juiced drinks, like pear, watermelon, or spinach

Consider blending low-acid fruits and vegetables with a nonfat yogurt or a plant-based substitute into a heartburn-friendly smoothie. Not only will this help you combat your acid reflux symptoms, but you’ll be making a drink packed with healthy vitamins and minerals.

Water is the best, most nutritional, and most beneficial beverage you can consume — it’s crucial for many reasons, including improving acid reflux symptoms. 

Studies have found that frequent sips of water may help clear acid from your esophagus, potentially preventing heartburn symptoms. 

Another study found that drinking alkaline, electrolyzed water with a modified pH may help neutralize stomach acid, resulting in relief from acid reflux or other gastrointestinal symptoms.

So, you now know what to drink with acid reflux, but what shouldn’t you drink? It can be easy to forget which drinks you should be avoiding, especially if you haven’t determined what triggers your acid reflux symptoms. 

Sick of going through the trial-and-error process alone? Hoping you’ll find out what’s causing your acid reflux? 

Dr. Sergi, at HealthierU, can help. Through Nutrition Response Testing, Dr. Sergi can pinpoint exactly what’s causing your acid reflux and help you eliminate the symptoms with an action plan to get your body functioning optimally. 

Highly acidic fruits and vegetables, like citrus fruits, can trigger acid reflux symptoms. Stray away from juices like: 

• Lemon juice
• Lime juice
• Grapefruit juice
• Tomato juice
• Orange juice 

The naturally occurring citric acid found in these fruits can irritate the esophagus, especially in people who are dealing with acid reflux. Your stomach may be able to withstand the higher acidity levels, but the esophagus cannot. 



When choosing what to drink with acid reflux, be sure to check your fruit or vegetable juices for citric acid, as it’s often used for flavoring. Avoid products containing citric acid to reduce your risk of triggering symptoms. 

Coffee and other caffeinated beverages may have an influence on how your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) works. Though studies are still being done, it is believed that caffeine relaxes your LES, causing symptoms of acid reflux to arise or worsen. 

Some research has found that drinking six or more servings of caffeinated beverages in a day, like tea, soda, or coffee, may increase symptoms of acid reflux. But their symptoms decreased when participants replaced two of these beverages with water.

Alcohol interacts with the stomach and the esophagus on many different levels — and studies have found that heavy alcohol consumption may put you at risk for developing GERD.

The consumption of alcohol can also cause your acid reflux symptoms to be amplified. 

Avoiding alcohol may be best if you are an acid reflux sufferer. Though it’s not uncommon for an occasional drink, it’s important that you …

• Drink in moderation
• Avoid acidic or carbonated mixers
• Stay hydrated 

… to help minimize your symptoms.

Boosting your diet with whole ingredients, fresh fruits and vegetables, fermented foods, and lean proteins can go a long way in overcoming acid reflux — but knowing what to eat and what to drink with acid reflux is only some of what you can do to help overcome your symptoms. 

Lifestyle changes go a long way in helping to overcome and potentially prevent acid reflux symptoms from occurring frequently. 

Aside from making adjustments in what you’re consuming, consider doing the following: 

• Eat several small meals a day instead of fewer large meals
• Don’t smoke
• Avoid lying down right after you eat
• Lose weight
• Elevate your mattress when you sleep
• Exercise for 30 minutes a day

Even those living the healthiest lifestyles still struggle with acid reflux. 

If you’re unsure of the underlying cause, it’s important to seek guidance from a physician who can help you understand the root cause of your symptoms and create an individualized treatment plan.

If you’re struggling with acid reflux, your body could be trying to tell you exactly what’s wrong. At least that’s what we believe at HealthierU — your body knows what’s wrong and sends “signals” to you to make changes. 

To help determine the root cause of your symptoms and address them holistically, Dr. Sergi uses Nutrition Response Testing. Whether you’re dealing with acid reflux or have other digestive concerns, Dr. Sergi can help rectify the problem naturally. 

Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation at our office in Brooklyn, NY, today.