Acid reflux can be painful, uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening. It occurs when stomach acid leaks backwards into the esophagus – the tube that connects your mouth and stomach – causing damage that leads to chronic inflammation in your esophagus. When acid reflux happens more than twice weekly and produces symptoms it’s known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), however by changing diet and taking over-the-counter antacid medications you can decrease episodes and improve quality of life overall.
Acidity levels in your water consumption can have an impact on how frequently you experience heartburn. Carbonated beverages, like seltzer water, tend to have higher acidic levels than non-carbonated waters and can further aggravate symptoms of acid reflux. Opting for low acidic water sources like plain or alkaline water may help ease acid reflux symptoms.
An open pilot clinical study on bicarbonate-rich mineral water shows its effectiveness at treating mild acid reflux patients with heartburn symptoms while showing excellent tolerability. Participants who received bicarbonate-rich water experienced decreased incidence and duration of heartburn episodes, as well as improvements in quality of life due to heartburn-related issues.
Drinking seltzer water through a straw may increase your risk of gas and cause bloating, as its air bubbles can be difficult to swallow, inducing you to inhale more air into your abdomen and cause further bloating. Carbonation also exacerbates this symptom for those suffering from digestive conditions like IBS.
Many foods and beverages, particularly soda and other fizzy beverages, can contribute to acid reflux. You can reduce your chances of acid reflux by eating small meals throughout the day and drinking clear liquids like water between meals. If experiencing reflux symptoms, dissolving a pinch of baking soda in water to neutralize stomach acidity or taking an OTC antacid such as Tums may help.
Not only can you try drinking less acidic beverages, but other strategies may also help alleviate symptoms, including chewing gum or sipping herbal tea. Ginger and deglycyrrhizinated licorice may increase mucus coating on esophageal lining to protect it from stomach acid according to research published in 2019.
When searching for an alternative to sugary sodas, seltzer water may be an ideal solution. Hydration and healthy living go hand in hand – be sure to monitor how much seltzer you consume as frequent urination could indicate you may have overhydrated and should cut back accordingly.