Which Alcohol Is Not Bad for Stomach: Effects and What to Do

To treat acid reflux, a person can take over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as antacids. Foods that might help ease symptoms include low fat yogurt and watery foods, including cucumber, celery, lettuce, and watermelon. Acid reflux occurs when the valve that connects the stomach to the food pipe weakens. A 2018 research review found an association between the frequency and increase in alcohol consumption and GERD. Certain beverages pose a particularly high risk of triggering acid reflux.

Excess weight and clothing that is too tight increases abdominal pressure, which is a risk factor for acid reflux. If you are overweight, losing weight may also improve your acid reflux. Because alcohol is a diuretic, drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration. Carbonated beverages, such as seltzers and soda, and caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and tea, can also cause heartburn. Because of this, hard seltzers and cocktails that contain carbonated or caffeinated beverages may trigger acid reflux. And it’s entirely possible, if not likely, that you’ll experience fewer GERD symptoms if you avoid alcohol entirely.

Acid Reflux From Alcohol: What You Need To Know

1. If you are experiencing frequent heartburn, you may need prescription medications.
2. In addition, in Asian populations, consuming high-spice foods followed by the habit of lying down after eating increases the risk of GERD.
3. The amplitudes of esophageal peristaltic waves were reduced in the distal and proximal segments when the serum alcohol concentration was 117 mg/dl in normal volunteers.
4. People with acid reflux should avoid alcoholic beverages and coffee.

According to a 2019 review, drinking alcohol can increase the risk of developing GERD. Researchers found that higher intake and frequency were more strongly linked with GERD. In addition to avoiding alcohol, people may try avoiding fatty, spicy, and certain other types of foods and beverages. Quitting smoking and managing weight may also help reduce GERD symptoms in some people. Not everyone experiences the same symptoms of GERD or with the same intensity.

The guidelines advise against binge drinking, which they define as 5 or more drinks for males or 4 or more for females within about 2 hours. By Amber J. TrescaTresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. If a referral is needed, ask your regular healthcare provider, such as a family practitioner, primary care provider, or, in some cases, a gynecologist. They will need to make the referral and contact the insurance carrier to ensure that the appointment with the gastroenterologist is covered. Don’t let persistent heartburn get in the way of living your life. If you’ve received a diagnosis of The Stages of Alcoholism Explained Early, Middle and End-Stage GERD, your doctor will help you find a treatment plan that works for you.

Although rare, some people may enter a fourth stage with severe symptoms that turn into precancerous lesions in the esophagus (food pipe) and throat. Only a healthcare professional may provide an accurate GERD diagnosis. If you’re experiencing acid reflux symptoms or indigestion more than twice per week, you may have GERD. A healthcare professional may want to assess your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and consider your medical history to rule out other possible causes. Review studies have investigated predictors of GERD risk in terms of food related factors such as probiotics (Cheng and Ouwehand, 2020) and food components (Surdea-Blaga et al., 2019). However, to our knowledge, no systematic reviews have been conducted to assess the impact of diet on risk of reflux disease.

Alcoholic Drinks and Acid Reflux

The above paragraph describes the mechanism that most medical professionals will cite when they are talking about alcohol and GERD. However, there are some other plausible explanations as well, and remember that all of these effects may be happening together. Your primary care provider (PCP) or gastroenterologist can diagnose GERD. You may have to undergo a procedure called an endoscopy, where you are sedated and a tube is inserted down your throat with a camera on the end. This camera lets your doctor see the lining of the stomach and diagnose any stomach issues, like GERD. A 2019 review found that people who drank more alcohol or drank alcohol more regularly had a greater likelihood of GERD.

What is the fastest way to cure GERD?

Drinking excessively increases your risk of developing acid reflux symptoms. It also worsens contributing factors, such as dehydration and overeating. Drinking water may improve your acid reflux from alcohol consumption by preventing dehydration. Alternating between drinking alcohol and drinking water can also prevent overconsumption of alcohol, which may help you avoid acid reflux. Acidic foods and beverages, such as tomatoes and citrus fruits, are common acid reflux triggers. Drinks such as white wines, citrus cocktails, ciders, and cocktails that contain tomato juice or coffee may be more likely to cause acid reflux from alcohol.

These foods may irritate the esophagus or may make acid reflux more likely to occur by affecting the lower esophageal sphincter. Your physician may suggest certain lifestyle changes, such as avoiding high-fat or spicy foods. Citrus fruits, mint flavorings, alcohol and coffee can aggravate GERD, too. Individuals often think acid reflux is caused by too much acid, but that is not the case. Reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (a muscular valve that connects the esophagus to the stomach) either opens spontaneously or does not close properly, allowing the contents in your stomach to come back up.