Does Alcohol Cause GERD? Alcoholism & GERD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Most people can manage the discomfort of GERD with lifestyle changes and medicines. And though it’s uncommon, some may need surgery to help with symptoms. Here’s a breakdown of the alcohols that are hardest and easiest on your stomach as well as some tips to enjoy your drink, pain-free. This is a rare complication of GERD that changes the cells of the lower esophagus. In addition, making other lifestyle modifications, like quitting smoking or losing weight, may also benefit some people with GERD.

Best Alcoholic Beverages for People with GERD

However, in someone with GERD, the LES relaxes more often, compromising the tight seal against stomach acid. Older research from 1993 suggests that spirits with a high ethanol content, like gin, whiskey, and cognac, may be better for people with acid reflux. The researchers found that beer and wine triggered reflux in men and women compared to drinking water only.

In addition, toxic acetaldehyde metalized from alcohol could affect the function of the esophagus and stomach. Furthermore, dysfunction of the LES and esophageal peristalsis and abnormal gastric acid secretion may be involved in the pathogenesis of alcohol-related GERD. Systemic investigations concerning this matter are still inadequate and further well-designed prospective studies are needed to clarify the effect of alcohol on GERD. Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused drugs and one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide (Lopez et al., 2006).

Researchers noted that alcohol may damage the cells in the esophageal and gastric (stomach) linings. They also found that alcohol not only affects the function of the esophagus in healthy people but also causes symptoms in those with inflammation of the esophagus. Alcohol can damage the esophagus, which may worsen symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A small 2006 study examined the effects of beer and wine on acid reflux. Researchers asked 25 participants to drink a serving of white wine, beer, or water and then measured if each drink increased reflux. Working out which specific drinks trigger heartburn, which may be sugary alcoholic drinks for some people and beer for others, and avoiding them will also help reduce heartburn.

Get Help Making A GERD Plan

Here are Purdy’s top tips for minimizing alcohol’s negative impact on your stomach. Alcohol may or may not cause GERD on its own, but it probably can make it worse. If you have GERD already, you should limit your consumption of alcohol. If a person has any symptoms in bed, they can try elevating their head by placing a foam wedge or extra pillows underneath it. Experts estimate that around 20% of people in the United States have GERD.

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. GERD results from the excessive reflux of gastric contents backward up into the esophagus. Generally, the LES yields with pressure and relaxes after each swallow to allow food to pass into the stomach.

1. The best way to limit these negative effects is to drink in moderation.
2. Therefore, a person needs to make their doctor aware of any new symptoms or changes to existing symptoms.
3. GERD is a chronic condition that causes uncomfortable and even painful symptoms.
4. This may be due to various reasons, including irritation of the throat or stomach or the way alcohol affects stomach acid.

What does the research say about different types of alcohol and GERD?

While the death of a few cells is not life-threatening since cells die in your body every day, chronic inflammation makes it harder for them to replenish. However, a 2010 review noted that red and white wine increases the acid produced in your stomach. Research published in 2008 found that drinking wine could reduce the risk of reflux esophagitis or irritation of the esophageal lining. 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. When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the bottom of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow into the stomach. Some people can avoid heartburn by drinking alcohol in moderation, which means one or two drinks only.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition in which stomach acid repeatedly flows back up into the tube connecting the mouth and stomach, called the esophagus. This backwash is known as acid reflux, and it can irritate the lining of the esophagus. Acid reflux happens when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of the esophagus relaxes at the wrong time, allowing stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. We highly recommend that you stay away from any alcoholic drink made with peppermint (peppermint white Russian), chocolate (mudslide), or coffee (Irish coffee). 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.

Its function is to protect the esophagus from the highly acidic secretions of the stomach. A 2019 review found that people who drank more alcohol or drank alcohol more regularly had a greater likelihood of GERD. This does not mean that alcohol causes GERD, but it does suggest that there may be a link. In April 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that all forms of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine (Zantac) be removed from the U.S. market.

Working in city hospitals helped him become resourceful and taught him how to interact with people from different backgrounds. The best way to limit these negative can baclofen be abused effects is to drink in moderation. You might also opt for lower-proof alcohols with less sugar, like dry wines, light beers, vodka, and gin. If your stomach issues persist long after you’ve finished your drink, talk with a doctor who can rule out any potential underlying GI conditions and offer guidance on finding the right treatment. If you or someone you know needs treatment for alcohol abuse or addiction, The Recovery Village can help. We have drug and alcohol rehab facilities located across the country and offer personalized treatment tailored to each client’s needs.

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. Different serum concentrations of alcohol have different effects on the body. 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. However, esophageal and LES functions were not affected at serum alcohol concentrations less than 70 mg/dl (Mayer et al., 1978).

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. Some people mix orange juice or carbonated beverages with their liquor. Researchers have conducted several studies to determine which types of alcohol seem to aggravate symptoms more than others, but the results have been inconclusive.

Alcohol can, in some cases, increase the likelihood of heartburn and GERD. This may be due to various reasons, including irritation of the throat or stomach or the way alcohol affects stomach acid. And all the usual dietary GERD triggers — such as fatty or fried foods, spicy foods, and tomato-based sauces — can also interact with alcohol to cause symptoms. So while many people drinking out of boredom have less digestive upset from alcohol when they consume it with food, that might not be the case in a given person with GERD, according to Evans. “Carbonated beverages are a common GERD trigger, and more acidic beverages like fruit juices can be a trigger,” says Evans.

To take the first step toward recovery, call The Recovery how long does a salvia trip last Village today. A healthcare professional can also advise on lifestyle changes, such as modifying diet and reducing alcohol intake. The LES is a band of muscles located where the stomach meets the esophagus.