We all need to drink a sufficient amount of water in order to stay hydrated and fresh all day. Drinking water is very important as it keeps our body’s temperature normal, reduces stress, and prevents dehydration.
In some cases, when a person with acid reflux drinks water, he may experience the feeling of heartburn or water brash. Surprised, aren’t you?
So, why does water give me heartburn?
Water can give you heartburn if you drink more glasses of it one after another at a time or just before bedtime. Furthermore, water brash can also be the reason why you feel a burning sensation in your chest.
Want in-depth detail? Then keep reading!
Table of Content
Why Does Water Give Me Heartburn?
Can water give you heartburn? The answer is yes, it can. Unfortunately, even things that are intended to be good for you can cause heartburn.
Heartburn is a very common problem these days and can occur if you eat a spicy meal or just from overeating.
The first reason why you are facing heartburn symptoms after drinking water is water brash.
Water brash (also known as pyrosis idiopathic, acid brash, or hypersalivation) is a symptom that some people with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) encounter.
When a person produces an excessive amount of saliva, it mixes with stomach acids that have ascended to the throat, causing water brash. A person who has a water brash may experience a terrible taste in their mouth as well as heartburn.
The second reason is water connection with acid reflux. While water isn’t acidic or acid-forming on its own, drinking it in large quantities or soon before bed might cause heartburn. Whether you drink lots of glasses at any time of day or before going to bed, water puts pressure on the stomach.
This pressure often leads to acid reflux. In this condition, the stomach acid levels reach the esophagus, and you feel the burning sensation in the chest area (also known as heartburn).
Heartburn is also a symptom of acid reflux, and water might be behind it too. Water cause acid reflux (and thus cause heartburn) in two ways:
The first reason is that it’s possible that chyme from a recent meal is remaining in your stomach. Drinking water may increase the volume of your stomach contents and the pressure on your stomach, causing the LES to open.
The second reason is drinking water on an empty stomach. If you drink a considerable amount of water while your stomach is empty, the water may be enough to trigger the LES to open.
When the stomach distends (swells), it releases acid, which mixes with the water to form an acidic liquid that can enter the esophagus and induce heartburn.
So, is water bad for acid reflux? Let’s find out!
Is Water Good For Acid Reflux, or Can Drinking Water Cause Acidity?
You must be wondering, is drinking a lot of water bad for acid reflux? Not at all. In fact, water is good for treating the symptoms of acid reflux. You just have to avoid drinking it more.
The pH of water varies between 6.5 to 7.4. The pH of spring and mineral water is the highest, while flavored and carbonated variants are significantly lower. When it comes to acidity and alkalinity, water is alkaline or neutral in general. As a result, the acid reflux does not worsen.
The question now arises, does water help heartburn? In most circumstances, doctors also recommend drinking some water when you start to experience acid reflux symptoms. Wondering, what does water do with stomach acid?
This is due to the fact that water can assist push acid back to your stomach, thereby reducing heartburn. So, drinking water helps relieve acid reflux.
Professionals advise switching from carbonated and sweetened beverages to plain water. Just don’t over-drink it.
We often get one question, why does water give me heartburn at night? The answer is lying down immediately after a night meal or drinking a lot of water before going to bed may cause heartburn at night.
What Should I Do to Prevent Heartburn From Water?
You should try the following to prevent it:
- Drinking a lot of water at once is not a good idea as it exerts a lot of pressure on your stomach. It is preferable to sip water slowly rather than guzzle it.
- Drinking water shortly before or after a meal is not a good idea. When your stomach is empty, do not drink a lot of water. It is recommended by doctors to drink it in between meals.
- Instead of cold water, drink room temperature or warm water. If you have more severe pain as a result of esophageal spasms induced by cold water, use warm water. (If you only experience regular heartburn, the temperature of the water shouldn’t be a factor.)
You should also avoid other heartburn irritants, which drinking water will only exacerbate, so stay away from:
- Overeating
- Cigarette
- Caffeine
- Too much spicy and acidic food
- Lying down immediately after eating
If you are experiencing heartburn due to water brash, it is very important to consult a doctor first.
Now, onto our next most asked question.
Any More Questions?
Why does water give me indigestion?
The main reason why water gives you indigestion is that you may have water brash. For people who suffer from acid reflux, even drinking excessive water can sometimes cause indigestion.
Can bottled water cause acid reflux?
No, water does not cause acid reflux if you drink it in an appropriate amount. Drinking excessive water at night can put pressure on the stomach, and acidity levels may rise.
Other than that, drinking water does not lead to acid reflux.
Why does lemon water give me heartburn?
Citrus fruits such as lemon are highly acidic, and having too much acid in your stomach can cause heartburn symptoms. Lemon is highly acidic in nature, with a pH of 2. So if you want to avoid acid reflux, avoid citrus fruit juice.
Why does water give me heartburn during pregnancy?
When you eat or drink, the muscle opens to allow food to enter the stomach before closing tightly.
However, high levels of progesterone during pregnancy can cause that muscle to relax, causing stomach acid to back up into your esophagus and even into your throat. This condition may result in heartburn.
Final Words
Why does water give me heartburn?
You are experiencing heartburn because of drinking a lot of water. If you already have acid reflux, avoid drinking excess water or other soft drinks. Also, never drink water on an empty stomach as it triggers the symptoms of heartburn.
Drinking the required amount of water is very important, no matter which diet plan you are following. Don’t dehydrate yourself after reading this article. At least drink 8 to 12 glasses a day.
You should immediately consult your doctor if your heartburn symptoms get worse.
