I’ll Drink to That: Choosing Alcohol That Doesn’t Cause Acid Reflux

Does alcohol cause heartburn for you? If so, you’re not alone. While some patients with GERD and other acid reflux symptoms choose to forgo alcohol completely, it can be nice to have a drink with friends or after the kids go to bed at the end of a long day. The consumption of alcohol is a personal choice; above all, we encourage you to listen to your body and know your own limits when it comes to drinking and the associated acid reflux symptoms.

Alcoholic Drinks and Acid Reflux

Some researchers have hypothesized that some alcoholic beverages increase acidity in the stomach, but others— like red wine— have been shown to actually increase resistance to acidity in the esophageal lining. There seems to be no clear-cut answer as to why alcoholic drinks make reflux symptoms worse for some people and not for others.

We do know that eating or drinking anything two to three hours before bedtime can create a very uncomfortable night of heartburn and regurgitation. If you do go out for drinks, make sure you only have one, and that you stay up long enough for the stomach to empty of its contents.

Is There Alcohol That Doesn’t Cause Reflux?

Since symptoms vary from individual to individual, there’s no good recommendation for everyone. However, we can apply some things we already know about reflux to help you lessen the symptoms you may experience.

Worst Drinks for Acid Reflux Sufferers

GERD patients should avoid any beverage with high natural acidity; drinks made with a lot of citrus juice (margaritas and daiquiris) are definitely going to cause a severe reaction.  While a screwdriver might sound delicious, you don’t want to pay for it in an hour! 

We highly recommend that you stay away from any alcoholic drink made with peppermint (peppermint white Russian), chocolate (mudslide), or coffee (Irish coffee). These are all reflux triggers as well. You should also avoid greasy pub food while you are at the bar— high-fat, greasy foods will only worsen your symptoms. Likewise, smoking and secondhand smoke can irritate your GERD symptoms and cause heartburn.

Best Drinks for GERD Patients

According to the pH level, gin, tequila, and non-grain vodkas are the lowest acidity options; choosing drinks made with these alcohols will be best on your stomach. You’ll be best served by a drink made with a light juice like apple, pear, or cranberry, but sometimes you just really want that kick of citrus.  

If you don’t want to compromise on the flavor of your beverage, just have plenty of tap water on the side to help equalize the load on your stomach. You may need to make more trips to the restroom, but you’ll save yourself from breathing fire later!

Get Help Making A GERD Plan

At the end of the day, and the night, it’s best to avoid drinking altogether; however, we certainly understand the desire to relax a bit and unwind! Experiment a bit and find a drink that works for you, and try to stick to one drink per night. Don’t forget to stay up until two to three hours after the last sip— this will help you avoid the dreaded night regurgitations. If you have any questions about your GERD plan of care, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center.