When you have acid reflux then there is always a question in your mind as to what can you drink or eat to get relief?
In acid reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) acids move up to esophagus causing burping, nausea, cough, heartburn, or sore throat. Your diet has a big impact on these symptoms. Therefore what you eat and what you avoid can promote or relieve acid reflux.
Following drinks will help reduce heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux.
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7 Drinks for acid reflux
Are you concerned about what you can drink when you have acid reflux? Here are some of the choices.
1. Water
There are many home remedies for acid reflux but water is the most accessible drink for quick relief. Water does help in heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms in most cases.
After the meal when you feel acids rising to esophagus to cause acid reflux and heartburn, a sip or two of water may actually help by diluting and neutralising
Acids.
However, water with foods adds to the volume of food inside the intestine which might cause acid reflux.
So don't drink water with food. However if you get heartburn symptoms then sip water after the to get relief.
2. Cold Milk
Does milk help acid reflux?
Well it does, but not all kinds of milk. In fact some milk can cause acid reflux. You can use cold milk for heartburn
Cold milk may give temporary relief from acid reflux. However fats in the milk may stimulate the stomach to produce more acids.
If you take skimmed milk which is fat free then you are much better off in tackling acid reflux.
In addition calcium.in milk helps LES to contract properly.
Bottomline is, drink a glass of fat free milk to get rid of heartburn caused by acid reflux.
3. Almond Milk
Almond milk is alkaline and is effective in neutralizing the acidity which is responsible for your heartburn.
It is also high magnesium and manganese and antioxidants which help in digestion.
- Soak handful of almonds in water overnight
- Peel off the brown cover
- Toss the white made of Almonds into a blender
- Add a glass of water and blend
- Drink the almond milk slowly
People have used almond milk for acid reflux for generations. Try it next time when you have GERD symptoms.
4. Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties and is loaded with vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It helps in removing toxins from the body and aids in digestion.
Some of the recent studies done on aloe vera juice suggest that aloe vera juice can be even more powerful than conventional medicine to get rid of acid reflux.
It is natural therefore it is even safer also.
Most commercially available aloe vera juices are loaded with sugar so it will be better if you prepare your own aloe vera juice.
5. Carrot Juice
Carrot juice contains natural alkaline components which can neutralize stomach acid.
Carrot juice also aids in digestion. Though its impact on acid reflux is slow. You do not get instant relief yet it is still an effective remedy with no adverse side effects.
Drink a glass of carrot juice when you face GERD symptoms. Your bloating and heartburn symptoms will slowly disappear within a few hours.
6. Coconut Water
If gases, bloating, nausea, heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux are giving trouble then try coconut water.
Coconut water develops a mucus lining which can protect against stomach acids. It also helps in digestion. it is nutritious as well as tasty.
So, if you are prone to acid reflux then keep supply of green tender coconuts handy.
Remember to drink coconut water after food when you get heartburn or other acid reflux symptoms.
7. Herbal Tea
Herbal tea works completely differently on acid reflux as compared to all the other drinks mentioned above.
It actually improves your digestion so the symptoms like burping and nausea are eliminated.
You have to be careful about what kind of Herbs are used to make the tea. Some herbs such as mint can actually cause heartburn. You should avoid mint tea if you already are facing heartburn.
Chamomile tea or slippery elm tea is a very good option to get rid of heartburn.
Both these herbs interfere with some medicines. Pregnant women should avoid these tea as they pose risks of miscarriage.
So if you drink herbal tea for acid reflux relief then don't make it a habit. Occasional use is fine. Check with your doctor if you are taking medicines for other conditions.
Say No to These Drinks
Certain drinks can worsen your acid reflux symptoms. Avoid following categories of drinks if you have heartburn.
- Citrus juices - lemon, lime, oranges and pineapple etc.
- Soda - all kinds of carbonated drinks including colas
- Caffeine - coffee and other caffeinated drinks
- Alcohol - all kinds of spirits
Other Tips and Precautions
Foods and drinks have a significant impact on acid reflux. It is therefore important to not only focus on "what to eat and what to avoid" but also be careful on "how and when to eat and drink".
- Do not over eat or consume large quantity of any drink
- Eat small portions of odds and drinks at a time
- Avoid fatty foods
- Maintain a diary of foods that cause acid reflux and avoid them.
- Sleepwell
- Get involved in regular daily exercise
You will be free of acid reflux symptoms if you follow all the above.