Is drinking warm water good for acid reflux? (5 alternatives)
By
Dr Anny Manrich (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Anny Manrich PhD is a food Engineer with expertise in Food Technology, Natural Polymers, Edible Films, Enzymes, and Nanotechnology. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Anny Manrich’s Highlights:
- Research and Technology at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
- PhD in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Biochemistry at the Federal University of Sao Carlos/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
- Bachelor of Food Engineering at the University of Campinas/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
“To solve a problem, global vision and multifactorial understanding are necessary. Therefore, in addition to expertise, one should seek multidisciplinary thinking connected with science and reality” – Dr Anny Manrich, PhD.
Professional Experience:
Dr Anny Manrich’s Experience Joining the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, as soon as she completed her doctorate,
Dr Anny Manrich has worked on several projects, including the more than three-year partnership project with BRF, a major food producer in Brazil. As a postdoctoral fellow.
Dr Anny Manrich has also contributed to several business consultancies and research projects of the National Nanotechnology Laboratory System in areas such as food technology, fibres, films and coatings and Nanotechnology; in a very determined way, having a great team relationship, being creative and committed.
Growing concerns about the safe introduction of nanomaterials into today’s life emphasises the need to create regulatory documentation in front of characterising, using and testing them. Dr Anny Manrich worked for two years on a characterization project for nanoscale materials, with the aim of exploring their possible health effects.
Despite not having specific academic training in packaging or polymeric films, Dr Anny Manrich works at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation in areas of edible and biodegradable films produced from agricultural waste and in the development of films with greater resistance to water, having articles published in renowned scientific journals, which demonstrates her multidisciplinary understanding and creativity.
In addition, she worked for four years as a consultant to a food company to develop a line of snacks that are healthy and that add functional ingredients, physiologically active compounds that bring health benefits, made from fruits and vegetables, enabling diet improvement, disease prevention and reduction of nutritional deficiencies.
Dr Anny Manrich participated as a member of the examination board for two Master’s exams and one PhD exam at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Federal University of São Carlos.
Education:
- 2001 Bachelor in Food Engineering at the State University of Campinas, Brazil
- 1999 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
- 2004 Master in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- 2012 PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- 2010 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
The main publications of Dr. Anny Manrich are:
Articles
Manrich, A., Moreira, F. K., Otoni, C. G., Lorevice, M. V., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. (2017). Hydrophobic edible films made up of tomato cutin and pectin. Carbohydrate Polymers, 164, 83-91.
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H. A., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Correlating emulsion characteristics with the properties of active starch films loaded with lemongrass essential oil. Food Hydrocolloids, 100, 105428.
Norcino, L. B., Mendes, J. F., Natarelli, C. V. L., Manrich, A., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Pectin films loaded with copaiba oil nanoemulsions for potential use as bio-based active packaging. Food Hydrocolloids, 106, 105862.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization of trypsin on chitosan gels: Use of different activation protocols and comparison with other supports. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 43.1 (2008): 54-61.
Manrich, Anny; Komesu, Andrea ; Adriano, Wellington Sabino; Tardioli, Paulo Waldir ; Giordano, Raquel Lima Camargo . Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by Multipoint Covalent Attachment on Agarose and on Chitosan Supports. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, v. 161, p. 455-467, 2010.
Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Neto, A. S., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Mattoso, L. H. C., & Martins, M. A. (2019). Development and physical-chemical properties of pectin film reinforced with spent coffee grounds by continuous casting. Carbohydrate polymers, 210, 92-99..
Milessi, T. S., Kopp, W., Rojas, M. J., Manrich, A., Baptista-Neto, A., Tardioli, P. W., … & Giordano, R. L. (2016). Immobilization and stabilization of an endoxylanase from Bacillus subtilis (XynA) for xylooligosaccharides (XOs) production. Catalysis Today, 259, 130-139.
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Manrich, A., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Development, physical‐chemical properties, and photodegradation of pectin film reinforced with malt bagasse fibers by continuous casting. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 137(39), 49178.
Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Luchesi, B. R., Dantas, A. P. S., Vanderlei, R. M., … & Martins, M. A. (2021). Thermo-physical and mechanical characteristics of composites based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) e spent coffee grounds (SCG). Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 29, 2888-2900..
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Development of quaternary nanocomposites made up of cassava starch, cocoa butter, lemongrass essential oil nanoemulsion, and brewery spent grain fibers. Journal of Food Science, 86(5), 1979-1996.
Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Manufacture and performance of peanut skin cellulose nanocrystals. Scientia Agricola, 79.
Nascimento, V. M., Manrich, A., Tardioli, P. W., de Campos Giordano, R., de Moraes Rocha, G. J., & Giordano, R. D. L. C. (2016). Alkaline pretreatment for practicable production of ethanol and xylooligosaccharides. Bioethanol, 2(1)..
Manrich, Anny, de Oliveira, J. E., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. Physicochemical and Thermal Characterization of the Spirulina platensis. J. Agric. Sci. Technol. B, v. 10, p. 298-307, 2020.
Book Chapter
Terra, I. A. A., Aoki, P. H., Delezuk, J. A. D. M., Martins, M. A., Manrich, A., Silva, M. J., … & Miranda, P. B. (2022). Técnicas de Caracterização de Polímeros. Nanotecnologia Aplicada a Polímeros, 614.
Conference Papers
Ferreira, L. F., Luvizaro, L. B., Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., Júnior, M. G., & Dias, M. V. (2017). Comparação da estabilidade de suspensões poliméricas de amido/tocoferol e quitosana/tocoferol. In: CONGRESSO BRASILEIRO DE POLÍMEROS, 14., 2017, Águas de Lindóia, SP.
Manrich, A., Hubinger, S. Z., & Paris, E. C. (2017). Citotoxicidade causada por nanomateriais: avaliação do micronúcleo. In: WORKSHOP DA REDE DE NANOTECNOLOGIA APLICADA AO AGRONEGÓCIO, 9., 2017, São Carlos. Anais… São Carlos: Embrapa Instrumentação, 2017. p. 655-658.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by multipoint covalent attachment on Glyoxyl Agarose Support. The 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2009.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Application of immobilized xylanase on hydrolysis of soluble wood hemicelluloses after using microwave and organosolv pre-treatments. The 32nd Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2010.
You can view some of Dr Anny’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anny-Manrich-2
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=23103497100
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Ea9qpr0AAAAJ
Linkedin: https://br.linkedin.com/in/anny-manrich-20693129
In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Is drinking warm water good for acid reflux? We will also give you five alternative home remedies and several tips that may help you relieve acid reflux.
Is drinking warm water good for acid reflux?
Drinking warm water may be good for acid reflux because it would be expected to act as a flushing agent for hydrochloric acid pushed up into the esophagus from a burping action. However, this effect is expected in the case of ingesting warm alkaline water. Alkaline water, warm or cold, is one acid reflux remedy that can help manage the condition’s symptoms (2).
Today, heartburn or acid reflux is emerging as a common problem among people of all ages. Acid reflux is characterized by heartburn, regurgitation, and vomiting. Sometimes this condition is also known as acid indigestion. This usually happens when stomach acid flows into the food pipe or esophagus (4).
As one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases, it affects 13–19% of people worldwide and has a greater prevalence in the western world, with population-based studies suggesting a prevalence of 10–40% in North America and Western Europe (3).
Several factors like spicy food, inadequate sleep, smoking, and drinking alcohol can lead to this condition in anyone. Some people like to treat this condition with home remedies.
Does drinking hot water help acid reflux?
No, drinking hot water does not help acidic reflux. Consuming plain water at room temperature rather than hot is more effective against acid reflux. It dilutes the stomach acid and reduces acidity and also aids in the digestion process.
However, for patients with Achalasia, a disease which could lead to gastroesophageal reflux, cold water could increase lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure and prolong the simultaneous contraction of the esophageal body. On the other hand, hot water could decrease LES resting pressure as well as LES residue pressure and shorten the simultaneous contraction of the esophageal body (1).
Is drinking warm water with lemon good for acid reflux?
No, the ingestion of lemon and other citrus fruits can worsen the symptoms of acid reflux. Citrus and other acidic foods such as tomatoes are considered to trigger reflux symptoms. A study assessing the physiologic dynamics of ingesting acidic foods noted that acidic liquids took longer to drink, required a higher number of swallows, had a slower duration of ingestion, and contained a smaller volume in each swallow when compared to a neutral bolus. This suggests a possible mechanism for the worsening of reflux symptoms in some patients, with ingestion of acidic foods such as fruits, juices, coffee, and carbonated beverages (3).
In fact, several studies show that lemon water can make symptoms worse in some people. If lemon water is your choice, and your reflux symptoms worsen, choose another of the options shown below.
5 home remedies for acid reflux
Ginger tea – In addition to all its properties, ginger is also very useful in improving digestion. It stimulates the production of enzymes by the digestive system, thus reducing the time that food spends in the stomach, thus avoiding gastroesophageal reflux. See more benefits of ginger.
Due to its content of phenolic compounds, ginger is an excellent option to relieve gastric irritation, reducing the chances of acid going up the esophagus. However, more studies are needed to verify this effect.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used to treat a number of medical conditions, including those affecting the digestive tract, such as dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea and abdominal pain. However, the mechanisms responsible for its beneficial effects are not well understood (5).
To enjoy all its benefits, you can add 4 to 5 slices or 2 tablespoons of grated ginger in 1 liter of cold water, and should be taken throughout the day.
Baking soda – Sodium bicarbonate is a natural alkaline salt that can reduce the stomach’s acidity in crisis episodes. Bicarbonate is used in some antacid medications that you can buy at the pharmacy, making it a good home option.
Use the bicarbonate, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 250 ml of water and drink at least half to obtain the desired effect.
Sodium bicarbonate, a rapidly acting antacid, reacts rapidly with gastric HCl in the stomach to produce sodium chloride, carbon dioxide, and water. Excess bicarbonate rapidly empties into the small intestine, where it is then absorbed. Sodium bicarbonate is often combined with citric acid. This combination reacts immediately with water to produce sodium citrate solution with the concomitant liberation of carbon dioxide. Sodium citrate is a fast-acting acid neutralizer that in suitable doses can raise stomach pH (6).
Chamomile tea – Chamomile is a natural plant with soothing properties that help treat stomach problems, control poor digestion, and treat stomach ulcers.
To enjoy its properties, you can prepare a chamomile tea 2 to 3 times a day, and you can even prepare an infusion with other plants with anti-inflammatory and soothing properties such as anise seeds, marshmallow, or yarrow, for example. Learn more about the benefits of this plant.
Chamomile flowers, lemon balm leaf, and peppermint leaf are used for a variety of foregut symptoms but principally dyspepsia. A meta-analysis noted that benefit in dyspepsia seemed to be more pronounced in patients with associated GERD symptoms (7).
Aloe juice – Aloe Vera helps treat pain and burning caused by reflux and is also useful for treating gastritis. In limited experimental studies, the effects of A. vera juice on gastrointestinal parameters such as gastric acid secretion have been shown. Also, it has been reported that A. vera has cytoprotective effects on gastric mucosa (8).
To prepare this juice, it is enough to open two aloe leaves, remove the pulp, peel an apple, and remove its seeds. Then add water in a blender along with the ingredients and blend well. Sweeten to taste.
In addition to this, some foods can help improve reflux, know what diet you should follow to treat reflux.
Simple tips for treating acid reflux
Other important tips for treating reflux include:
- Avoid drinking fluids during meals;
- Avoid lying down within 30 minutes after eating;
- Chew and eat slowly;
- Wear clothing or belts that do not constrict at the waist;
- Eat in small portions, several times a day;
- Eat at least 2 hours before sleeping;
- Avoid liquid foods at dinners such as soups or broths;
- Lie down on the bed to the left side, preventing the gastric contents from returning to the mouth.
Suppose treatment with medications, diet, or natural remedies does not improve symptoms and complications begin to appear, such as ulcers or Barrett’s esophagus. In that case, the doctor may order surgery to treat gastroesophageal reflux.
The bottom line
Drinking warm water for acid reflux may or may not be suitable because each person and situation are different. If your reflux symptoms get worse even after drinking warm liquids, choose another of the options mentioned above, or, better yet, consult a doctor about your recurrent issues with acid reflux. There is no scientific evidence that drinking warm water could relieve GERD symptoms. Alkaline water has buffering effects on the stomach and therefore can have a positive effect for GERD patients.
If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!
References
- Ren, Yutang, et al. Response of esophagus to high and low temperatures in patients with achalasia. J Neurogastroenterol Motil, 2012, 18, 391.
- Koufman, Jamie A., and Nikki Johnston. Potential benefits of pH 8.8 alkaline drinking water as an adjunct in the treatment of reflux disease. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 2012, 121, 431-434.
- Sethi, Sajiv, and Joel E. Richter. Diet and gastroesophageal reflux disease: role in pathogenesis and management. Curr opin gastroenterol, 2017, 33, 107-111.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). University of Harvard. 2022.
- Hu, Ming-Luen, et al. Effect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsia. World j gastroenterol WJG, 2011, 17, 105.
- Garg V, Narang P, Taneja R. Antacids revisited: review on contemporary facts and relevance for self-management. J Int Med Res, 2022, 50, 3000605221086457.
- Ahuja, Amisha, and Nitin K. Ahuja. Popular remedies for esophageal symptoms: a critical appraisal. Curr Gastroenterol Rep, 2019, 21, 1-8.
- Panahi, Yunes, et al. Effect of aloe vera and pantoprazole on Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in mustard gas victims: A randomized controlled trial. Pharmac Sci ,2016, 22, 190-194.
