Acid reflux, clinically known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), involves a painful or burning sensation in the throat or the chest. It occurs when stomach acid is compelled to flow back into the food pipe due to the valve connecting the stomach and esophagus being weakened.
Acid reflux is a widespread disease affecting millions of people all over the world. It usually occurs due to an erratic and sedentary lifestyle, consuming foods that are unhealthy or contain too much of acidic substances, etc. However, this condition can certainly be cured by specific lifestyle changes that aid digestion.
Certain natural drinks such as aloe vera and a variety of teas can help curb the problem of acid reflux. This article is all about that. We inform you about drinks that help for acid reflux that you can make yourself at home and relieve heartburn and related signs arising due to acid reflux.
Managing and controlling the signs and symptoms of acid reflux or GERD(1) is all about avoiding those substances that trigger the condition. Since acid reflux occurs right after you have consumed your food, it is quite simple to narrow down items that induce such a condition.
If you are searching for what to drink in acid reflux? here we discuss certain simple yet effective drinks for acid reflux that you can consume and get instant relief.
[Also Read: Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux]
Herbal teas are a great drink to cure acid reflux. These tea have been used to cure stomach disorders for a long time. Not only do they promote quick digestion, but they also alleviate the burning sensation in the chest and have a soothing effect on the body.
You can try caffeine free drinks for best results. For instance, teas like chamomile(2), fennel, and slippery elm tea, serve great drinks to cure acid reflux.
Another notable tea for acid reflux is licorice. It helps in building the coating of mucus around the food, which in turn can help relieve the release of excess acid in the stomach.
Making herbal teas to bid farewell to acid reflux is quite simple and convenient. All you have to do is add a spoon of the herb in boiling water and strain it before you consume. You can also add a little bit of honey and lemon to enhance the taste and nullify the bitterness of certain herbs.
To see instant results, it is advised that you have at least 2-3 cups a day.
If you are on any prescribed medication, contact your doctor before consuming these drinks since they might react with a particular medication.
[Also Read: Home Remedies for Acid Reflux]
Milk is yet another remarkable drink to prevent and cure acid reflux. Milk is known to reduce the burning sensation in the chest and soothe the body. Make sure that you choose milk that is lowest in fat so that it is easier to digest and does not provide discomfort to your stomach.
For people who are lactose intolerant or those who feel that milk is the primary cause of their acid reflux, plant-based milk is a great option. These days, a variety of plant-based milk is doing the rounds in the market. Some examples are almond milk, flax milk, soy milk, cashew milk, and coconut milk.
You can consume milk at any time during the day. 1-2 glasses consumed regularly can help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.
If you are someone who faces GERD regularly, ensure that you consume a warm glass of milk right before sleeping to promote a better sleeping pattern, and avoid any burning sensation in the chest at night.
[Also Read: Ginger for Heartburn]
Fruit juices are another drink to help prevent signs of acid reflux. Studies reveal that people who consume fruit juices other than citrus drinks are more likely to have better digestion and controlled production of acid in the stomach.
You can always consume less acidic juices. Options include carrot juice, cabbage juice, aloe vera juice, freshly made watermelon or cucumber juice, beetroot juice, etc.
Fresh fruit juices can be had whenever you like. They are convenient and straightforward to make. A glass full of fresh juice around thrice a week can show significant improvement from acid reflux.
You can also add spices like black pepper and rock salt to add to the flavor of the juice. Try alternate fruit options during the week to avoid any monotony in the flavors.
[Also Read: Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux]
Recent research conducted in the field of stomach disorders suggests that aloe vera(3) is a safe and effective treatment for reducing signs and symptoms of acid reflux.
This home remedy for acid reflux has no side effects and can be more effective than any other traditional medication. The anti-inflammatory properties present in this food item reduce the feeling of nausea in addition to aiding digestion and facilitating better bowel movement.
[Read: Aloe Vera Juice For Acid Reflux ]
Another excellent drink to cure acid reflux is coconut water. It is perhaps the healthiest drink that one can consume during a hot day in the summer season. It is believed that the natural enzymes that coconut water contains can help you get back to your feet when you are suffering from acid reflux or diarrhea.
Coconut water can have a cooling effect on the body as it is alkaline. Not only does coconut water provide quick relief from heartburn, but it also prevents reflux from occurring time and again.
To get instant and quick relief from acidity or GERD, drink a glass of coconut water after every meal. Regular consumption of coconut water for a couple of months can have astonishing results. Avoid consuming bottled coconut water since it may contain added preservatives.
[Also Read: Health Benefits of Coconut Water]
As plain and simple as it sounds, water is one of the safest, surest, and the most efficacious drink to cure acid reflux. It has enormous benefits and helps improve the body functioning, especially the digestive system in the body.
Nothing beats water for it works in beautiful ways in improving the digestive system and reducing the excess production of acid in the stomach. Water also flushes out all the toxins from your body and promotes healthy bowel movement, which is quite imperative in preventing the condition of acid reflux.
Certain studies from reputed institutions reveal that consuming water increases the gastric pH in the body, thus reducing signs of GERD. If you think that consuming plain water is a little boring, try adding some flavor to it. You can infuse your glass of water with a dash of lemon or honey or even mint leaves.
As mentioned above, you can enhance the taste of your water by adding some flavors. Make sure that you consume at least 8-10 glasses per day to see the best results.
[Read: How to Reduce Stomach Acid Naturally]
Nothing works better than a smoothie on the go-to cure acid reflux. Maintaining a healthy diet free of GERD triggers can be quite severe, especially when you are a working person or find it difficult to prepare special meals for yourself. In this regard, a smoothie can do the trick. Not only do smoothies aid digestion, but they also soothe the food pipe.
Another reason why smoothies are an excellent drink for acid reflux is that they contain fiber that is essential for a healthy digestive system, as well as to alleviate the severity of acid reflux. Going by studies conducted by the Institute of Medicine, a daily intake of fiber ranging from 25-40 grams is necessary to keep signs of GERD at bay.
[Read: Ginger for Acid Reflux]
Making smoothies can be quite refreshing in the sense that you can add as many ingredients as you like to make it more colorful and tasty. They serve as a great drink to alleviate acid reflux triggers.
For instance, you can try the green smoothie by adding kale and spinach in addition to mango, some berries, and an apple. Add some yogurt and a dash of honey for a better taste.
A significant advantage of smoothies is that you can carry it to work conveniently, thus ensuring that your busy lifestyle does not interfere with your healthy diet.
GERD or acid reflux is quite a common ailment and can occur in anyone. However, consuming healthy drinks can help reduce its signs and ensure healthy stomach health.
Here are the answers to a few queries that you might have in mind.
GERD or acid reflux is nothing but a situation when the stomach produces more acid than usual as a consequence of which the food pipe gets inflamed. Such a situation can cause a burning sensation in the chest in addition to other problems such as sore throat, nausea, etc.
Well, ideally speaking, natural drinks have zero side effects on the body. They are considered to be one of the safest options when it comes to seeking relief from acid reflux.
However, to be on the safe side, it may be best that you consult a doctor before consuming certain rinks such as herbal teas or even aloe vera to avoid any potential danger to the body.
Each drink has its way of being consumed. There is no straitjacket formula to consume such drinks to cure acid reflux. For instance, while water has to be had around 8-10 glasses a day, smoothies may be had only once a day to get relief from GERD.
You can refer to the above section to know more about how to consume drinks that cure acid reflux. Besides, in case you have doubts, you can always seek advice from a medical practitioner.
A healthy lifestyle and an active body can help reduce signs and symptoms of acid reflux. To make sure that you stay away from stomach disorders, practice a proper sleep cycle, and avoid foods that trigger the cause of GERD.
The drinks given in the above section can also be had to get relief from acid reflux.
Moderating your intake of processed foods or food items that contain excess fat can also go a long way in alleviating symptoms of acid reflux.
It is only by improving your quality of life can you ensure respite from GERD and related disorders.