Several drinks can help neutralize stomach acid or soothe the irritation it causes. Plain water, alkaline water, ginger tea, and certain plant-based beverages all have evidence behind them, though some work better than others. What you avoid drinking matters just as much as what you choose.
Water: The Simplest Option
Plain water dilutes stomach acid and helps clear it from the esophagus. Drinking a small glass of water when symptoms flare can wash acid back down into the stomach, providing quick if modest relief. The key is sipping rather than gulping large amounts at once, which can distend the stomach and make things worse.
Alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 goes a step further. A laboratory study published in the Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology found that water at this pH permanently inactivated pepsin, the digestive enzyme responsible for the tissue damage in both acid reflux and its throat-affecting cousin, laryngopharyngeal reflux. Regular tap water doesn’t do this. Pepsin clings to esophageal and throat tissue and reactivates every time acid reaches it, so neutralizing pepsin is a meaningful benefit. Alkaline water also buffered hydrochloric acid far more effectively than conventional water. You can find bottled alkaline water at most grocery stores, though it’s worth checking the label to confirm a pH at or above 8.8.
Ginger Tea
Ginger has a long reputation as a digestive aid, and the science backs up at least part of it. One of the ways acid reflux happens is food sitting too long in the stomach, which increases pressure and pushes acid upward. A controlled study found that ginger cut gastric half-emptying time from about 16 minutes to about 12 minutes, meaning the stomach cleared its contents roughly 25% faster. Faster emptying means less opportunity for acid to splash into the esophagus.
To make ginger tea, steep a few slices of fresh ginger root in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid commercial ginger ales, which are often carbonated (carbonation increases stomach pressure) and loaded with sugar. If fresh ginger feels too intense, powdered ginger steeped in hot water works too, though the flavor is milder.
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera juice is one of the few plant-based drinks tested directly in people with acid reflux. In a randomized controlled trial, participants who took 10 mL (about two teaspoons) of aloe vera syrup daily for four weeks experienced reduced frequency of all major reflux symptoms, including heartburn, regurgitation, and belching. No adverse events serious enough to require stopping treatment were reported.
The important detail is choosing a product labeled as purified or decolorized. Unpurified aloe vera contains compounds called anthraquinones that act as strong laxatives and can cause cramping. Look for “inner fillet” or “purified” on the label and start with a small amount to see how your body responds.
Coconut Water
Unsweetened coconut water is naturally alkaline and rich in potassium, which helps your body maintain a healthy acid-base balance. It won’t neutralize a full-blown reflux episode the way an antacid would, but as a daily beverage choice it’s a far better option than citrus juice, soda, or coffee. Stick to unsweetened varieties, since added sugar can slow digestion and worsen symptoms.
Licorice Root Tea
Licorice root works differently from other reflux remedies. Rather than neutralizing acid, it strengthens the body’s own protective barriers. Specifically, it increases the number of mucus-producing cells in the digestive lining, boosts the amount of mucus those cells generate, improves blood supply to damaged tissue, and extends the lifespan of intestinal cells. The result is a thicker, more resilient coating that stands up better to acid exposure.
The form that matters here is deglycyrrhizinated licorice, often sold as DGL. Regular licorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizin that can raise blood pressure and lower potassium levels when consumed regularly. DGL has this compound removed. You can find DGL as chewable tablets or as a tea, both widely available at health food stores.
What to Avoid
Some of the most common beverages are also the worst for reflux. Coffee, both regular and decaf, relaxes the muscular valve between the esophagus and stomach, making it easier for acid to travel upward. Citrus juices (orange, grapefruit, lemon) are highly acidic on their own and irritate an already inflamed esophagus. Carbonated drinks of any kind introduce gas into the stomach, increasing pressure. Alcohol relaxes the esophageal valve and stimulates acid production at the same time.
Peppermint tea deserves a special mention because it seems like it should help. Peppermint does relax smooth muscle, but that includes the lower esophageal sphincter, the valve you need to stay closed. For many people, peppermint tea makes reflux noticeably worse.
What About Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular home remedies for heartburn online, but there is no published clinical research supporting its use for reflux. Harvard Health Publishing reviewed the evidence and found zero studies in medical journals addressing it. The theoretical reasoning behind it (that reflux is caused by too little acid rather than too much) applies to a small subset of people and has not been validated in trials. Apple cider vinegar is also acidic itself, with a pH around 2 to 3, which means it can irritate the esophagus in people who already have inflammation. This is one folk remedy worth skipping.
Timing and Temperature
When you drink matters almost as much as what you drink. Having any large volume of liquid right before lying down fills the stomach and makes reflux more likely. Try to finish beverages at least 30 minutes before bed. Room temperature or warm drinks are generally better tolerated than ice-cold ones, since very cold liquids can slow digestion slightly.
For daytime management, keeping a water bottle nearby and sipping consistently throughout the day prevents the stomach from becoming either too empty (which concentrates acid) or too full. Small, frequent sips beat large, infrequent gulps every time.