Safe Beverages for People with Acid Reflux

In addition to maintaining a healthy dietary pattern, you should also know which beverages are safe to consume for people with acid reflux. Some unhealthy beverages, such as caffeinated or carbonated drinks, can stimulate stomach acid and trigger GERD symptoms.

GERD symptoms can vary, including heartburn, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, bloating, and upper abdominal pain. This condition may worsen if you do not choose daily beverages carefully.

Therefore, choosing healthier beverages, such as water and herbal tea, may help reduce the risk of acid reflux symptoms and support digestive health. For more details, let’s explore the beverages that can relieve acid reflux below!

List of Beverages for Acid Reflux

When acid reflux occurs, it is recommended to choose beverages with low acidity to help relieve stomachache and discomfort. Below are several beverages that are safe to consume by people with acid reflux:

1. Water

The first beverage for acid reflux is water. Water has a neutral pH level of around 7. Therefore, water can help the digestive system process acidic foods and may help dilute stomach acid temporarily.

In addition to pH, you also need to ensure your drinking water is high-quality, such as AQUA. AQUA contains natural minerals with no additional substances, sourced from 19 selected mountain springs in Indonesia. The AQUA water comes from the deepest part of the mountain protected by natural layers, which remains free from pollution, tastes naturally cool and refreshing, without the need of cooling process.

For people with acid reflux, drink water slowly and adequately, around 2 liters or 8 glasses per day. Avoid drinking water that is too hot or cold, as it may trigger stomach contraction and worsen discomfort.

2. Herbal Tea

One of the recommended beverages for acid reflux is herbal tea. It may help improve digestive system function, as it has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help control stomach acid production. Drinking warm herbal tea can also soothe the lower esophageal sphincter muscles and relieve abdominal discomfort.

Choose caffeine-free herbal tea to prevent worsening symptoms. Chamomile and licorice tea are two of the most highly recommended options. Licorice may help increase mucus layers in the esophagus, which protect the throat from irritation caused by acid reflux.

Otherwise, avoid spearmint and peppermint tea, as both may relax the esophageal sphincter muscles and even potentially worsen GERD symptoms. Preparing herbal tea is simple, just steep a teaspoon of herbal tea in a cup of hot water for about 5–10 minutes, then enjoy while it is warm.

3. Coconut Water

Another way to relieve acid reflux is by drinking coconut water. Coconut water contains electrolytes and alkaline properties that may help balance pH levels. Additionally, coconut water can also increase mucus fluid production in the stomach, which helps protect the stomach lining, leading to more controlled stomach acid.

High potassium in coconut water also contributes to neutralizing acidity and helping prevent dehydration when you feel nausea or vomiting caused by acid reflux. For the best benefits, it is recommended to drink coconut water with no added sugar or other sweeteners.

4. Juice and Smoothie

The next beverage option for acid reflux is juice or smoothies made from fruits and vegetables. In general, fruits and vegetables are enriched with various beneficial nutrients for gut health.

To help relieve acid reflux, choose fruits and vegetables with low acidity levels, such as carrots, cabbage, spinach, watermelon, cucumber, beetroot, bananas, papayas, pears, and melon. These ingredients can be processed into juice for easier digestion or blended into high-fiber smoothies that support optimal gut health. A good example is a smoothie made from spinach, banana, and melon without added sugar.

On the other hand, avoid juice from citrus fruits, such as oranges, pineapples, and tomatoes, as they contain high acid levels, which can irritate the esophagus and worsen acid reflux symptoms.

5. Plant-Based Milk

Milk made from plant-based ingredients, such as soy, almond, and oat, is also one of the safe beverages for people with acid reflux. Compared to dairy milk, this type of milk generally has a more alkaline composition that may help neutralize stomach acid. Almond milk has alkaline properties that can help ease symptoms, while soy milk is often considered the safest option due to its lower fat content.

Oat milk can also be a good alternative, as it has mild alkaline and free from animal fats, making it less likely to trigger excessive stomach acid production. Additionally, plant-based milk is typically lactose-free, which may help reduce the risk of stomach irritation, especially for those who have lactose intolerance.

6. Low-Fat Milk

In addition to the plant-based milk option, you can also enjoy low-fat milk to relieve acid reflux. Low-fat or skim milk acts as a temporary buffer for the stomach, meaning it is not easily affected by pH changes, and may help prevent the stomach from becoming more acidic. Low-fat content in this milk makes it easier to digest and less likely to relax the esophageal sphincter compared to full-fat cow’s milk.

On the other hand, avoid cow’s milk with high-fat contents, as it is harder for the body to digest, and may worsen acid reflux symptoms anytime.

7. Ginger Tea

Besides helping warm the body, ginger tea can also be consumed as a drink for acid reflux. Ginger is often used to relieve acid reflux symptoms such as abdominal bloating and nausea, as it has anti-inflammatory properties. This benefit comes from phenolic acid compounds in ginger, which may help soothe inflammation in the digestive tract.

Furthermore, ginger can also fight Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the digestive system, which can help reduce stomach acid production as its source. To gain optimal benefits, boil a few slices of fresh ginger in the warm water and add a small amount of honey as a natural sweetener. Consume in moderation and avoid drinking it on an empty stomach if it causes discomfort.

8. Yogurt

Yogurt may help reduce acid reflux because it contains probiotics, beneficial bacteria. Probiotics work by balancing bacteria in the gut, which play a role in regulating stomach acid production, so they may also control the symptoms. In addition, yogurt is enriched with protein and calcium, which can support optimal digestive health.

Choose low-fat yogurt without added sugar for easier digestion, which can not trigger excessive acid production.

9. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera juice can be another beverage option for people with acid reflux. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties and abilities in coating the irritated lining of the esophagus caused by acid reflux, which can reduce the burning and discomfort sensation in the chest. Choose aloe vera juice products that have been processed properly, and make sure it does not contain aloin, a compound that may cause side effects in the digestive system.

10. Infused Water

Infused water, or water infused with certain natural ingredients, can also be a refreshing beverage alternative for people with acid reflux. Safe and recommended ingredients include cucumbers, fresh ginger slices, or a small amount of mint leaves. Besides helping increase daily fluid intake, infused water may help soothe the digestive tract without increasing stomach acidity.

Beverages to Avoid by People with Acid Reflux

Just as important as knowing which beverages are safe, you should also avoid the following beverages because they may worsen acid reflux symptoms:

Coffee and caffeinated drinks: Caffeine may weaken the lower esophageal sphincter muscles and stimulate excessive stomach acid production.
Carbonated drinks: The gas content in carbonated drinks can increase pressure in the stomach and trigger reflux.
Alcoholic drinks: Alcohols may directly irritate the stomach lining and increase acid production.
Citrus and tomato juice: Orange, pineapple, and tomato contain high-acidity that can irritate the esophagus.
Peppermint and spearmint tea: Both may relax the esophageal sphincter and worsen GERD symptoms.

Tips to Consume Beverages for Acid Reflux

In addition to choosing the right beverage, there are several habits you should adopt for optimal results:

Drink in small amounts but more frequently, and avoid consuming large quantities at once because it may increase pressure in the stomach.
Avoid beverages that are too hot or too cold, as both may trigger stomach contraction and worsen heartburn.
Allow at least 2–3 hours between drinking and sleeping to prevent acid reflux while lying down.
Consume herbal drinks such as ginger tea or chamomile tea regularly, not only when symptoms appear, for better results.

Those are the list of beverages that are safe to consume by people with acid reflux. By choosing the right beverage and preventing the risk, you can help prevent acid reflux and maintain overall digestive health.

Remember that the healthiest drink for people with acid reflux is water. In this case, you can choose #AQUADULU.

It is important to note that AQUA is an original Indonesian product, which has been trusted for more than 50 years. All products of AQUA are safe to consume, as it is Halal certified and meets safety standards from BPOM and SNI.

AQUA is also available in various packaging sizes that can be selected to your daily needs, starting from 220 ml, 330 ml, 600 ml, 1500 ml, to a 19-liter AQUA gallon.

Therefore, stay hydrated with AQUA DULU regularly. AQUA is 100% Indonesia, 100% Halal, and 100% Pure.