Acid reflux is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions. People often find relief from acid reflux through over-the-counter (OTC) medications like antacids, natural remedies like ginger, and lifestyle strategies.
One of the natural remedies used to address the symptoms of acid reflux is lemon. This may sound counterintuitive because medical professionals usually advise people with acid reflux to avoid acidic foods. But when mixed with other less acidic ingredients, lemon can help neutralize stomach acid in some people.
Alongside lemon water, other natural remedies might help ease your symptoms, along with OTC or prescription medications. A healthcare professional can help you find a treatment method that works for you.
Benefits
There is little research evidence that lemon water helps acid reflux symptoms. But anecdotally, some people believe that in small amounts, lemon water may help. According to some sources, a glass of warm water mixed with a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and a dash of honey can help neutralize stomach acid.
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back to the esophagus. Acid reflux can cause:
- a burning sensation
- chest tightness
- bloating
- difficulty swallowing
- shortness of breath
- nausea
Research on the benefits of lemon water for people with acid reflux is limited. But some research does show that lemon water has some benefits for digestion. Improving digestion — that is, reducing indigestion — can help address the symptoms of acid reflux.
For example, low levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, called hypochlorhydria, can cause heartburn and other symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some research shows that lemon water canimprove digestionby increasing gastric acid levels and emptying the stomach, thereby reducing acid reflux symptoms.
It might also have some indirect benefits. For example, overweight and obesity have a link with GERD, and studies show that weight loss in people who have overweight helpreduce GERD symptoms.
Lemon water can support weight loss because it is low in calories, promotes hydration, and may help boost your metabolism. But no research shows that lemon water is better for this than regular water.
Risks
Drinking lemon water to treat acid reflux is mostly safe, but it can also lead to some disadvantages.
Since lemon water is acidic, it may worsen the symptoms of acid reflux in some people.
Another disadvantage of drinking lemon juice is that it can erode the enamel in your teeth and cause damage. If you do decide to drink lemon juice to aid acid reflux, consider drinking it through a straw so that the lemon juice doesn’t come in contact with your teeth.
After drinking the lemon water, drinking or rinsing your mouth with plain water may be helpful.
Other foods that help
If lemon water isn’t as effective in relieving your acid reflux, you can consider other natural remedies. These include:
- Ginger: With its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can help reduce the likelihood that stomach acid flows back to the esophagus.
- Apple cider vinegar: Although there’s not enough research to support it, apple cider vinegar may help with digestion, reducing symptoms of acid reflux.
- Magnesium: Magnesium supplements may help neutralize stomach acid.
Foods to avoid
Certain foods can worsen symptoms of acid reflux and indigestion. These include:
- fried food
- fatty foods
- processed foods
- alcohol (if you drink)
- caffeine
- chocolate
Treatments
Treatment for GERD and acid reflux include medication and lifestyle strategies. A doctor may prescribe medications and lifestyle changes to manage the symptoms of acid reflux.
Some OTC and prescription medications that can help with symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn include:
- OTC antacids neutralize your stomach acid. Brand name antacids include Maalox, Tums, and Mylanta.
- H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes. Common examples include ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), and cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Proton pump inhibitors lower stomach acid levels and stop it coming back up the esophagus. Examples include esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec), and rabeprazole (AcipHex).
- Prokinetics help strengthen the esophageal sphincter (it is a circular band of muscle at the end of youresophagus) to stop acid reflux from happening. One common example is metoclopramide (Reglan).
Some lifestyle changes and strategies you can consider include:
- avoiding consuming fried foods, alcohol, coffee, and carbonated drinks
- eating smaller meals
- chewing gum after meals
- maintaining a moderate weight by having a balanced diet and physical activity
- avoiding smoking (if you smoke)
- lying at an incline of about 10–20 cm when you lie down
- lowering stress and anxiety with practices like meditation and yoga
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Summary
Acid reflux happens when stomach acid flows back into your esophagus, causing a burning sensation in your throat, chest pain, bloating, and difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Medications, lifestyle strategies, and natural remedies can help ease or prevent symptoms of acid reflux. One of the natural remedies is lemon water. Drinking lemon water helps improve or prevent acid reflux in some people.
However, research on the benefits of lemon water for acid reflux is limited, and lemon water can cause some side effects, such as worsening the symptoms of acid reflux. Since lemon water is acidic, it may erode your tooth enamel.
Speaking with a healthcare professional can help you find the best treatment method.
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