What should you drink when you have heartburn

With holidays dotting the calendar all year long, it's an ongoing reason to consume high-calorie, high-sugar and high-carb temptation. And with such a wide array of decadent dishes and delicious drinks, it’s hard to say no. So, year after year, many of us overdo it. We forget about any diets we've been following, throw caution to the wind, drink to our heart's content and feast like there’s no tomorrow. And hey, we deserve to let loose a little!

But what feels good in the moment doesn’t make up for the pain that follows. You know the feeling: That sharp, burning pain in your lower chest that follows overeating. Yep, we're talking about heartburn and acid reflux. For many of us who overindulge during the holidays, heartburn is almost inevitable. Luckily, being prepared is half the battle—and there are actually things you can drink for heartburn to help ease the pain of acid reflux and get back to your pre-heartburn self sooner rather than later.

Related: Experts Share Their Top Tips to Get Rid of Heartburn

What is heartburn and acid reflux?

Heartburn is an uncomfortable burning feeling in your chest. With it, you may experience reflux of food or acid into your throat. “This can be a symptom of different conditions including acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),” says Dr. Yi Qin, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic. “When you're experiencing heartburn, you may also have a bitter or sour taste in the back of your throat."

Heartburn can last from a few minutes to several hours. It often feels worse after you eat or when you lay down too quickly after eating. So what, exactly, is happening in the body?

As Qin explains it, when you eat, the food passes down a long tube (the esophagus) that connects your mouth and stomach. At the bottom of the esophagus is a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter. This valve opens to let food through and then closes to keep your stomach contents down.

Related: Foods That Cause Heartburn

Inside your stomach is a strong acidic mixture that starts the process of breaking down your food (digestion). Sometimes the valve that separates your stomach and esophagus relaxes momentarily and some of the acidic mixture from your stomach goes back up the esophagus. This is called acid reflux. When you have acid reflux, you’ll often feel the burning sensation that’s heartburn, and you may feel the reflux of stomach contents coming up into your chest.

Occasional heartburn is common, but frequent heartburn can indicate a bigger problem. Heartburn on a regular basis is typically a symptom gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If you're experiencing regular heartburn, you should speak with your healthcare provider. If left untreated, it can cause severe damage to your esophagus.

Related: Is Pickle Juice a Home Remedy for Acid Reflux?

What to drink for heartburn relief

First, it’s important to know what drinks to avoid when experiencing acid reflux. Citrus juices, alcohol, coffee and carbonated beverages are common triggers for heartburn, Qin explains. Unfortunately, many of those will likely make an appearance throughout the year, so here's what to drink to counteract heartburn.

Best herbal teas for heartburn

Few things are as comforting as drinking a cup of tea. Aside from helping you unwind, it improves sleep and relaxation, aids in digestion, and relieves tension headaches.“Herbal teas such as licorice and chamomile tea can also calm the stomach, whereas mints can trigger acid reflux,” says Qin.

Ginger tea is also recommended by health experts, as it's long been a folk remedy for settling an upset stomach. So it's no surprise that drinking it can help alleviate heartburn, explains Dr. Katrina Hartog RD, assistant chief clinical dietitian at Lenox Hill Hospital. Just don’t turn to ginger ale or ginger beer as both may make heartburn worse.

“There is an excellent range of ginger teas available but my favorite is a simple, homemade recipe,” says Hartog. “Chop a piece of ginger into 3 slices and pour hot water over. Add a small spoonful of honey for a bit of sweetness.”

Milk

Low-fat milk and other plant-based milks such as almond and soy milk, are great for putting out the fire of heartburn. “Milk neutralizes stomach acid and relieve heartburn,” says Qin. “It helps calm the stomach.”

Water

It’s no secret that drinking enough water is vital to our overall health. It regulates body temperature, improves brain function, boosts energy levels and much more. “Sometimes the simplest solutions are the right ones,” Dr. Hartog states. “With waters’ pH neutral or 7.0, it certainly can help the digestion process.”

Related: Is It Possible To Drink Too Much Water?

As with all health issues, the best treatment is prevention. “Heartburn is usually treated through lifestyle interventions like modifying your diet, reducing caffeine and alcohol, reducing overeating and minimizing consumption of fatty and fried foods,” says Dr. Nate Favini, Medical Lead of Forward. “You can also address your heartburn by avoiding meals late at night, not laying down directly after eating and quitting smoking if you smoke. It’s also helpful to put more pillows underneath your head and upper torso while sleeping so that gravity can help keep the stomach acids down."

The bottom line: While these drinks are beneficial for heartburn and acid reflux, the best remedy for heartburn is adopting healthy lifestyle habits and avoiding heartburn triggers in the first place.

Next, read up on the simple home remedies to ease heartburn and GERD.

Sources

• Yi Qin, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic
• Penn Medicine: “The Hidden Health Benefits of Tea”
• Katrina Hartog RD, assistant chief clinical dietitian at Lenox Hill Hospital
• Nate Favini, Medical Lead of Forward

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