People who suffer from chronic acid reflux are often picky about their food and beverages. Because the wrong ingredient can upset their stomach and aggravate their condition.
Suffering from acid reflux may feel like a sharp pain in your chest and an urge to regurgitate the meal you had a while ago. Then all the nausea and bloating can lead to loss of appetite or make you full after eating very little.
That’s why many people with acid reflux are sceptical about having energy drinks. But avoiding all energy drinks is not necessary because energy drinks have their own benefits.
Work-out, sports, or simply stuck with a pile of work can be difficult to deal with without the little boost from energy drinks. Hope this article helps you find a few energy drinks that won’t give you heartburn.
Let’s begin!
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What Is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) at the stomach’s opening fails to function properly. As a result, when the stomach contracts to digest the food, some of the stomach acids may make their way up to your throat which causes the burning sensation in your esophagus.
A little acidity is something that everyone experiences from time to time. However, if you experience these symptoms more than twice a week, you should seek medical attention.
Because then you might be suffering from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), undergoing heartburn more than twice a week. The common symptoms are:
- Chest pain or heartburn
- Bloating
- Hard time swallowing
- Lump in the throat
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Bad breath
Doctors recommend the following foods to avoid heartburn; these foods cause the sphincter to relax, allowing acid to spill into the gullet:
- Chocolate
- Caffeine (tea, coffee, energy drinks)
- Carbonated drinks (soda)
- Citrus (lemons, oranges)
- Alcoholic drinks like red wine
- Tomatoes
- Peppermint
- Any spicy food
Those who suffer from GERD either try not have these kinds of food or carry medications like Antacids with them.
Can Energy Drink Cause Acid Reflux?
Due to the presence of some requisite ingredients in energy drinks, there are chances that some energy drinks may cause acid reflux.
Does Caffeine In Energy Drinks Cause Acid Reflux?
Caffeine is the holy grail to kick-start your day or recovers from a tiring day, especially when it’s in an energy drink along with other energy-generating ingredients.
Caffeine is another chemical that relaxes the LES and may cause heartburn.
Caffeine is another chemical that relaxes the LES and may cause heartburn. Initially, the prevalence of GERD was linked to caffeine, according to the findings of a few studies.
As a result, high-caffeine energy drinks like Bang (300 mg), G Fuel cans (300 mg), or Spike Hardcore (350 mg) are not recommended. Because the more caffeine consumed, the more severe the disease becomes.
400 mg is the permittable caffeine limit you must maintain in a day, as an FDA reports suggest. But recent findings show that having caffeinated beverages have no significant relationship with reflux symptoms.
There’s some ambiguity regarding whether caffeine causes acid reflux; more concrete evidence is required. As a result, if you experience negative side effects from high-caffeinated energy drinks, I recommend avoiding them.
Does Carbonated Water In Energy Drinks Cause Acid Reflux?
Water containing carbon dioxide is known as carbonated water, and this can make you feel bloated. Most energy drinks have carbonated water in them.
The advantages of carbonation in beverages, such as assisting digestion and preventing constipation, can explain why it’s used in beverages.
However, the amount of bubbles gives the impression that your stomach is full. This is also why the LES can be pushed open, allowing acid into the food pipe.
If you feel bloated after drinking carbonated energy drinks, don’t worry, it won’t last long.
Does Sugar In Energy Drinks Cause Acid Reflux?
Added sugar in caffeinated beverages may trigger acid reflux symptoms. Caffeinated drinks, citrus foods or any fatty foods are called trigger foods because they cause acid reflux. The added sugar in these foods can cause digestive problems.
However, a natural sugar found in honey or maple syrup will not give you heartburn. But processed carbohydrates (added sugar), which are often found in energy drinks, have a few drawbacks that lead to acid reflux:
- Cause inflammation in the gut
- Severe indigestion
- Increases uric acid in the stomach
- Obesity
Moreover, the use of artificial sweeteners like Sucralose, Saccharin, and Aspartame affects the healthy bacteria community in the gut and also cause inflammation. This is why unnatural sugars worsen acid reflux symptoms.
Does Citrus Acid In Energy Drinks Cause Acid Reflux?
Most energy drinks contain citric acid, which not only extends the drink’s shelf life but also improves its flavor.
Citric acid is found in fruits such as pineapple, oranges, and apples, so many fruit-themed energy drinks contain it. In fact, this is what gives the drink its sour flavor.
Malic acid is another ingredient commonly used in energy drink because it helps to generate energy from carbohydrates in our bodies.
Both citric acid and malic acid are very acidic and can trigger acid reflux symptoms. Because they increase the acidity of the stomach.
Do energy drinks worsen acid reflux?
Energy drinks worsen acid reflux. Caffeine-packed energy drinks cause the stomach to produce extra acid to digest them. Too much acid in the stomach leads to heartburn and can eat away at the intestinal lining. Caffeine is a stimulant that, in high doses, can cause digestive distress.
Acid reflux is made worse by ingesting emerhu. To help break down the caffeine in energy drinks, the stomach secretes more acid. Extreme stomach acid causes heartburn and can erode the intestinal lining. High doses of the stimulant caffeine can irritate the digestive tract.
Can I Drink Energy Drinks If I Have Acid Reflux?
You can, however, not all energy drinks cause acid reflux symptoms. Furthermore, some people may not exhibit the same symptoms as others.
Everyone has a different tolerance to acid-reflux-inducing factors, as well as a different lifestyle or treatment plan. Furthermore, it’s difficult to identify a single ingredient in energy drinks that’s causing the symptoms.
Consult your doctor before making energy drinks a regular part of your life. Perhaps you aren’t aware of the seriousness of your symptoms or GERD. In addition, your symptoms may be too subtle at times, resulting in silent reflux.
10 Best Energy Drinks For Acid Reflux.
Many energy drinks would probably not set your chest on fire. There are many versions of energy drinks that have no caffeine, sugar, carbs, artificial sweeteners, or carbonated water.
Arcane Energy Drink
Arcane Energy Drink contains no caffeine, added sugars, or carbohydrates. So, if caffeine causes you to vomit, this energy drink is for you. There is very little chance that this drink will cause acid reflux symptoms.
However, the drink contains carbonated water, so if you get gassy after drinking soda, you should probably skip this one.
Bang Energy Drink
You’ve probably heard of Bang Energy, but did you know it also has zero-caffeine versions?
Bang Energy caffeine-free is available in a variety of flavors and contains no added sugars. Creatine and other EAA amino acids provide all of the energy.
However, because the drink contains both citric and malic acid, it’s acidic. Perhaps think twice before drinking too much of this drink because citrus elements can cause acid reflux.
Aspire Energy Drink
Aspire energy drink contains only 80 mg of caffeine extracted from natural resources. It’s one of the healthiest energy drink in the market, containing no citric acid.
Because the drink contains little caffeine, it’s unlikely to cause heartburn or jitters. The drink also contains no added sugar, so it should not upset your stomach.
To make the drink zero sugar, sucralose is used. Only 1/100th of a gram of the sweetener is used, which is very little.
Not to mention that this vegan and gluten-free beverage is high in vitamins and minerals.
V8+ Energy Drink
V8+ Energy Drink is a “Plant-Powered” drink containing many ingredients from fruits and vegetables. It has 80 mg of caffeine per can and has no added sugar.
However, because it contains both citric and malic acid, it may be slightly acidic. The presence of acids is understandable given the ingredients are derived from fruits and vegetables.
If you’ve had bad experiences with acidic drinks, steer clear of this one. If acids don’t bother you but caffeine does, this is the drink for you.
Red Bull Energy Drink
An 8-ounce can of Red Bull contains only 80 mg of caffeine. Red Bull appears to be a safer option when compared to high-caffeinated drinks that contain 200-300 mg of caffeine.
However, it’s carbonated, but carbonation doesn’t lead to severe or long-lasting symptoms. But if carbonation specifically makes you gassy, you should opt out.
Red Bull also has a very moderate amount of sugar and calories, suggesting that acidity or weight gain will not be a problem.
Zevia Zero Calorie Energy Drink
Zevia is a zero-calorie and sugar drink containing 120 mg caffeine. This is one of the very few drinks to contain no artificial sweeteners or colors.
All of the ingredients, including caffeine, are derived from natural sources. As a result, this is the cleanest drink you’ll find.
The drink, on the other hand, contains carbonated water and citric acid. If this combination makes you feel bloated, many people will opt for something else.
Monster Energy Zero Drink
Monster Energy Zero Ultra is unquestionably one of the most popular energy drinks on the market today. You can try this drink if you have acid reflux but can tolerate a little more caffeine.
It contains 140 mg of caffeine per 16 oz. can and 100 mg of caffeine per 10.5 oz. can. It’ll be ideal for days when you need to concentrate extra hard.
It has no added sugar, just sucralose as an artificial sweetener. Most likely, this drink won’t cause you heartburn.
G Fuel Energy Powder
If carbonated drinks aggravate your acid reflux, you should try powdered energy drinks. Because they don’t contain carbonated water.
Depending on the flavor, G Fuel Powder contains 140 to 150 mg of caffeine per serving. Caffeine content is slightly higher than in 80 mg caffeine drinks. However, it has no added sugar and only 10-25 calories.
The drink is packed with energy generating ingredients and antioxidants.
Zipfizz Energy Drink
Zipfizz is a powdered energy drink that contains 100 mg of caffeine per tube. This drink is also very light, as there’s no carbonation and the ingredients are potent.
It’s also sugar-free, with only 20 calories. I believe it’s the best option for those seeking no sugar, no carbonation, and less caffeine.
Advocare Spark Energy
It’s an energy drink with 120 mg of caffeine and only 15 calories. There are no added sugars or carbonated water in this drink.
However, the drink contains citric acid, which may be preferable to containing both citric and malic acid. It also contains sucralose.
Aside from that, I believe the drink will provide you with a burst of energy when needed while avoiding acid reflux symptoms.
Can you drink energy drinks if you have GERD?
It is not recommended for individuals to drink energy drinks with GERD. Individuals with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) may want to exercise caution when considering energy drinks. Energy drinks typically contain caffeine and other ingredients that can trigger or exacerbate acid reflux symptoms in some people.
Caffeine is known to relax the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle that helps prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. This relaxation can allow stomach acid to move upward and cause heartburn or other symptoms associated with GERD.
Is caffeine good for acid reflux?
Caffeine is generally not considered good for acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). In fact, caffeine is known to relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle that acts as a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus, so it is not ideal. This may change from person to person.
As a result of this relaxation effect, caffeine is often considered a trigger for acid reflux and heartburn in susceptible individuals. For those with GERD or prone to acid reflux, it is recommended to reduce or avoid caffeine intake, as it may exacerbate symptoms. Instead, opting for caffeine-free or low-caffeine beverages can be beneficial for managing acid reflux and promoting better digestive health.
What can I drink for energy with acid reflux?
There are various drinks to consume when you have acid reflux. People with acid reflux and heartburn may find relief from drinking ginger tea, certain fruit and vegetable juices, or plant-based milk. To lessen the frequency and severity of symptoms, avoiding citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and alcohol can be helpful.
The most effective way to avoid the side effects of acid reflux is to steer clear of the beverages and foods that bring on the condition in the first place. On the other hand, the consumption of certain beverages might help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.
Final Thoughts
People who suffer from acid reflux are at a disadvantage when it comes to consuming energy drinks. However, you can sample a few drinks from the menu based on what appeals to you the most.
Drinks with natural sugar, caffeine, and fewer acids, may not be as harmful as other powerful energy drinks.
Hopefully, one or two of the energy drinks on this list will not give you heartburn or nausea.