Does milk help with heartburn?

Does milk help manage heartburn?

Milk and other dairy products may help manage heartburn symptoms in certain cases. Some believe this occurs because milk coats the lining of the esophagus. This can reduce irritation in the esophagus and may decrease heartburn symptoms. Another reason milk may help is because the high levels of calcium can reduce the acidity in the stomach.

However, foods high in fat can increase the symptoms of heartburn. Because of this, low fat milk may be the best option for managing heartburn.

Beyond managing heartburn, milk offers many other health benefits. It contains crucial nutrients such as calcium and protein.

Calcium benefits

Milk is a high source of calcium, the most plentiful mineral in the human body. It plays an important role in bone and teeth health. Calcium is also a main contributor in helping with:

• blood clotting
• flexibility
• secreting hormones
• mediating muscle contractions
• strength

Getting enough calcium in the diet can also help prevent osteoporosis.

Protein benefits

Milk is also a high source of protein. Getting enough protein in the diet can help support a range of bodily functions. This important nutrient can help with:

• maintaining a moderate weight
• repairing muscle damage
• increasing muscle mass
• improving athletic performance

Protein can also decrease the risk of developing certain conditions. These may include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

Can milk worsen heartburn?

Research has shown that a diet high in dairy and high fat foods can increase symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). However, other research shows that in people with metabolic syndrome, consuming at least 3 servings of dairy daily has no effect on GERD symptoms. One of the most common symptoms of this condition is heartburn. For individuals with GERD, consuming milk may worsen heartburn.

A recent study found that a vegan diet may decrease the risk of developing GERD symptoms.

Another study investigated whether certain drinks could increase the risk of GERD symptoms. Researchers found that drinking milk did not worsen heartburn among study participants.

This research and other studies have produced mixed results. For some people, milk can trigger heartburn or other GERD symptoms, while others may experience heartburn relief after drinking milk.

Are milk substitutes a better option?

In certain cases, avoiding animal products, such as dairy, may decrease the risk of heartburn. Some researchers have found that avoiding animal products altogether can also decrease this risk.

Individuals experiencing heartburn after consuming dairy products may find relief through milk substitutes. Some of the more common milk substitutes include:

• soy milk
• almond milk
• rice milk
• oat milk
• cashew milk

Almond and soy milk both contain calcium and protein. All of the substitutes above contain magnesium, another important mineral in milk.

Exploring milk substitutes may help ease heartburn. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional about new dietary changes.

Other heartburn treatment methods

There are many effective treatment methods for reducing heartburn symptoms. For example, there are a number of medications available for this condition. The main OTC medicines for heartburn include:

• antacids
• proton pump inhibitors
• histamine-2 blockers

Eliminating certain foods from the diet can also help prevent or reduce heartburn. Foods to eliminate for heartburn relief include:

• foods high in fat
• spicy foods
• foods high in acidity
• chocolate
• mint

Caffeine and alcohol can also trigger heartburn. Avoiding these drinks may lead to relief for individuals with heartburn.

Frequently asked questions 

The following are answers to common questions about heartburn.

What can a person drink to relieve heartburn?

Some people may find that low fat milk helps alleviate heartburn. Watermelon or cucumber juice can also aid digestion, which may reduce heartburn. Ginger tea may also reduce inflammation and nausea and relieve heartburn.

What gets rid of heartburn fast?

For rapid heartburn relief, antacids can help. These medications are available in both liquid and chewable tablet forms. Antacids work quickly to reduce heartburn, and this effect can last up to a few hours.

Does cold milk help with acidity?

Research from 2019 found that the high levels of calcium in milk and milk products can help reduce acidity. When a person consumes these products cold, they may offer instant relief for symptoms of heartburn. However, consuming full fat dairy products may worsen symptoms. This means individuals may want to choose lower fat options or limit their intake of milk and milk products.

Summary

For some people, drinking milk can help reduce heartburn symptoms.

In other cases, milk may cause or worsen heartburn. This may occur involving milk with higher levels of fat. Milk can also trigger the symptoms of GERD in individuals with this condition. For these individuals, consuming milk may lead to heartburn.

Each person has unique dietary needs and may respond differently to certain foods or drinks. Because of this, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes.