Warm water for acid reflux is often used as an initial step to relieve sudden symptoms because it is easily accessible and considered safe for most people.
Although warm water is believed to help relieve acid reflux, many people still wonder whether warm water can actually relieve acid reflux and whether people with acid reflux can safely drink it.
The following is a brief explanation of the benefits of warm water for acid reflux and tips for drinking warm water when experiencing acid reflux, based on information compiled from various sources.
How Warm Water Works for Acid Reflux
The journal Clinical Gastroenterology & Hepatology states that drinking warm water is safe for people with acid reflux. On the other hand, consuming tea, coffee, or soda may actually trigger symptoms.
To understand this, it is important to first know how warm water works to help the body relieve acid reflux. Here is a brief explanation!
1. Diluting Stomach Acid
An experimental study published in Digestive Disease and Sciences showed that one glass of water (200 ml) can increase stomach pH to above pH 4 within about one minute.
Moreover, Sage Journal explains that the bicarbonate content in certain water is alkaline, allowing it to neutralize part of the stomach acid, while its neutral pH (6.7–7.4) helps maintain acid balance in the stomach.
This means that once it enters the digestive tract, warm water may help temporarily dilute stomach contents.
Furthermore, drinking warm water may also help reduce the effects of pepsin, an enzyme that can make irritation in the esophagus feel worse when stomach acid rises.
The combination of temporary dilution of stomach contents and reduced pepsin activity may help minimize irritation in the digestive tract, allowing symptoms such as pain or nausea to feel less intense.
Read also: Here Is the Right Time to Drink Warm Water and Its Benefits!
2. Relaxing the Stomach
A study in Neurogastroenterology & Motility found that consuming warm water can help relax the muscles in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
The LES is a circular muscle at the end of the esophagus that acts as a “valve” between the stomach and the esophagus.
The main function of this valve is to prevent stomach acid from rising into the esophagus, which causes a burning sensation in the throat or reflux.
The speed at which stomach acid returns to the stomach is influenced by the reflex activity of this valve. This process helps reduce acid exposure in the throat and lessen nausea.
3. Speeding Up Stomach Emptying
Neurogastroenterology & Motility shows that consuming warm water can help relax the muscles in the digestive tract.
This condition allows the stomach to empty its contents more smoothly, preventing food and liquids from remaining too long in the stomach.
Nevertheless, when stomach acid levels increase, the stomach has to work harder to digest and move its contents.
This extra workload can increase pressure inside the stomach and trigger reflux. That is what often causes a burning sensation in the chest or esophagus.
By regularly drinking warm water, stomach movement may become smoother, helping reduce the buildup of stomach contents.
As a result, uncomfortable symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, or bloating may be minimized while also supporting more comfortable digestion.
Benefits of Warm Water for the Stomach
Understanding how warm water helps relieve acid reflux not only helps reduce symptoms directly, but also provides additional benefits when consumed regularly.
Here are some benefits of warm water for acid reflux when consumed over the long term:
1. Reducing Bloating
Warm water may help temporarily dilute stomach contents. When consumed regularly, this dilution effect creates optimal conditions for the mechanical and enzymatic processes involved in breaking down food.
This condition prevents gas from being trapped for too long. When people with acid reflux drink warm water, digestion becomes smoother and the risk of bloating or a feeling of fullness may decrease.
2. Supporting Bowel Movement
The temperature of warm water can stimulate contractions in the digestive tract muscles (peristalsis), helping move food and digestive waste through the intestines more quickly.
This makes bowel movements smoother and digestion feel lighter. Research published by Cambridge University Press shows that consuming warm water increases the frequency of stomach contractions compared to cold water.
In other words, regularly consuming warm water may help support digestive motility.
3. Maintaining Stomach Acid Balance
When the stomach can empty its contents more smoothly, pressure inside the stomach decreases, lowering the risk of stomach acid rising into the esophagus.
Regularly drinking warm water may help maintain stomach acid balance, lower the risk of chronic reflux, and support smoother digestion.
Moreover, faster stomach emptying also helps nutrient absorption and prevents food buildup that can cause bloating or fullness.
4. Maintaining Body Fluid Balance
An article in the journal Esophagus explains that dehydration can worsen acid reflux because it reduces saliva production, which plays a role in neutralizing acid.
Regularly consuming warm water can help keep the body hydrated. With sufficient saliva production, the body has a natural way to help protect the esophagus from stomach acid.
Best Time to Drink Warm Water
To maximize its benefits, warm water should ideally be consumed at the following times:
- In the morning after waking up, to help soothe an empty stomach and prepare the digestive system.
- 30 minutes before meals, to support stomach function without making the stomach feel overly full.
- When symptoms begin to appear, such as a burning or painful sensation in the chest and throat.
- Before bedtime, to help relax the body and reduce the risk of nighttime reflux, especially when combined with sleeping with the head elevated.
Although warm water may help relieve symptoms, this method should not replace medical treatment such as antacids or acid blockers. Warm water should be used as first aid or a supportive habit.
If acid reflux symptoms occur more than twice a week, last for a long time, or are accompanied by weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or vomiting blood, consult a doctor immediately.
Meanwhile, make sure to provide drinking water at home every day with AQUA Gallon. Its large size, 19 liters, helps meet your family’s daily drinking water needs practically.
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Read also: How to Drink Water Correctly? Here’s a Complete Guide
