Reflux/ GERD
Milk may worsen symptoms of heartburn or reflux
Dairy is not among the recognized causes of acid reflux, but some people may still experience this symptom when eating dairy. In this article, we are discussing the association between dairy(specifically milk) and acid reflux.
Overview
Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux that occurs when gastric juices back up from the stomach into the esophagus, irritating the cells that line the food pipe.
In addition to heartburn, acid reflux can cause you to develop a cough, bad breath, and trouble swallowing. Repeated episodes of heartburn usually signal the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Is milk Beneficial for Heartburn?
For a long time it has been believed that milk relieves heartburn, in part due to the soothing nature we imagine that milk has on and in our bodies.
In reality,while milk is an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, it rarely relieves heartburn. In fact, milk that is high in fat, like whole milk, is one of the most common triggers of heartburn and can worsen heartburn symptoms once they start.
Benefits of Milk
Meeting your daily dairy requirements by drinking milk means that you are likely providing yourself with many valuable nutrients including:
- Protein
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin A
These nutrients are important to your health whether you get them from milk, other dairy products, or other food groups entirely.
Drawbacks of Milk for Heartburn
Milk does not “coat” the stomach to protect it from stomach acid as some people might think. In fact, the high-fat content of dairy products stimulates acid production in the stomach which can trigger acid reflux.
Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux
Milk is one of many natural remedies that people try to help treat their acid reflux, but there are other natural remedies that appear to be more effective. These include:
- Herbs such as ginger, chamomile, aloe juice, and licorice can serve as digestive aids.
- Baking soda, which when combined with water can help neutralize acid in the stomach.
- Apple cider vinegar. Like baking soda, taking a spoonful of apple cider vinegar with some water is thought to serve as a digestive aid.
- Sugar-free gum. Saliva production can provide a soothing effect and help decrease the production of acid in the stomach.
- Eat a banana (or another high-alkaline food). Bananas are high in potassium, making them a fairly alkaline food. This means it is the perfect food to counter the stomach acid that is irritating your esophagus.5
- Quit smoking. Smoking reduces saliva production, thereby increasing the production of stomach acid.
- Don’t lay down after you eat and wear loose-fitting clothing. Anything that pushes on the belly or negates gravity from keeping your food (and stomach acid) down can cause or exacerbate your heartburn.
It's Important to note that herbal remedies do not undergo testing for safety and effectiveness by the federal government, are not FDA approved, and often do not have to meet the same standards for manufacturing and packaging that prescription drugs do. You should never take an herbal remedy in place of traditional medication without first disclosing this information to your healthcare provider.
Summary
While milk has been believed to be a good cure for Heartburn, or acid reflux for a long time, recent research suggests that milk, especially full-fat milk, can actually make symptoms worse. It's best to work with your healthcare provider to formulate lifestyle changes and a treatment plan best suited to you.
