Alcohol Consumption and Heartburn

Alcohol consumption affects everyone differently. For some, a beer or cocktail is a way to unwind and relax. But for others, the relaxation that takes place involves the LES, or the lower esophageal sphincter, and this can trigger heartburn.

Drinking alcohol can contribute to heartburn in several ways. Alcohol consumption can increase the relaxation of the LES – the natural valve that keeps stomach acid in the stomach and out of the esophagus – allowing acid to reflux, or flow backward, into the esophagus when it normally would not. The acid irritates the wall of the esophagus, causing heartburn. Alcohol can also trigger heartburn by causing the progressive contractions that occur with swallowing to become erratic. Normally, the muscles of the esophagus contract and relax in order to carry food from the throat to the stomach, and to prevent acids from backing up from the stomach into the esophagus. An irregular rhythm can allow acid to enter the esophagus and trigger heartburn symptoms.

In addition to affecting the function of the LES, drinking beer and wine can increase the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Alcohol can also make the esophagus more sensitive to harsh acid, and cause inflammation, or swelling, in its protective lining.

Current Research on Alcohol Consumption and Heartburn

One study reported that participants had higher than normal levels of acid in the esophagus after drinking roughly 12 ounces of red wine with lunch or dinner¹. In the first three hours after drinking the wine, the esophagus was exposed to acid three to four times longer than if participants had consumed tap water. The study also showed that people who tend to suffer from heartburn may find they experience twice their usual symptoms after drinking red wine.

In addition to red wine, whiskey, vodka, beer, and white wine have been shown to contribute to heartburn and abnormal functioning of the LES¹. Other alcoholic beverages may have a similar effect, depending on the individual.

Another study reported that of patients who experienced heartburn, 60% said that alcohol produced these symptoms on a daily basis, and 62% said they experienced weekly or monthly heartburn due to drinking alcohol².

Meals and Alcohol Consumption – Moderation is Key

Because alcohol can increase acid production and cause acid to reflux into the esophagus, any amount of alcohol consumed with a large meal can further predispose you to heartburn. However, keeping your alcohol consumption during meals to more moderate amounts (one to two mixed drinks, 12 to 16 ounces of wine, or two to three beers) can limit the severity and duration of heartburn symptoms triggered by alcohol.

Alcohol is just one of many triggers that can bring on heartburn. Learning to recognize what triggers heartburn for you is an important step toward preventing the condition. By recording daily activities associated with your heartburn episodes and lessening or avoiding these triggers, you may be able to prevent or lessen the severity of your heartburn. Each person's body responds differently, so you should make individual changes that work for you.

Here are a few tips to try if you experience heartburn related to alcohol consumption:

Keep a record of when your heartburn episodes occur; and the specific alcoholic beverages that trigger them. (See our personal reflux diary to help you keep track of your heartburn trigger beverages and foods.)
When drinking alcohol with a meal, limit intake to moderate amounts (one or two mixed drinks, 12 to 16 ounces of wine, or two or three beers.)
Try substituting white wine for red.
If your goal is to unwind after a stressful day, try exercise, walking, meditation, stretching, or deep breathing instead of an alcoholic drink.

References:

Digestive Disease Sciences, 1997
American Journal of Digestive Diseases, 1976