People with acid reflux or GERD avoid certain foods and drinks that worsen their conditions. The symptoms of GERD are affected by what you eat and drink. Some of the symptoms of GERD include nausea,coughing, burping, heartburn, hoarseness, and a sore throat. In order to stay healthy, you should avoid certain foods and consume those that help relieve the symptoms.

Beverages like coffee, colas, and acidic juices top the “do not drink” list. These beverages increase the already-existing symptoms of GERD. Instead, here is a list of what you should drink in order to help reduce your symptoms:

• Herbal tea
  Drinking herbal tea has proven to help improve digestion and also soothe many stomach problems, like nausea and gas. If you suffer from acid reflux, you might want to try caffeine-free herbal tea. However, avoid peppermint and spearmint teas. In most cases mint acts as a trigger for acid reflux and GERD symptoms. The flavors that you will need to stick to in order to help with your symptoms are: chamomile, slippery elm, marshmallow, and licorice. Licorice actually helps increase the mucus lining of the esophagus, which helps calm down the effects of stomach acids. Although people do believe that marshmallow root, fennel, and papaya tree can also help reduce the symptoms of GERD and acid reflux, it has not been proven and there isn’t enough evidence to support that. If using dried herbs to flavor your tea, make sure that you use just one teaspoon per cup, as herbs can interfere with some prescribed medications.
• Skim or low-fat milk
  Cow’s milk contains a certain amount of fat that is hard to digest. Full fat cow’s milk has the tendency, like all other high-fat foods, to relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which can actually cause or worsen reflux symptoms. Hence, it is better to choose low-fat or skim milk, if you suffer from symptoms of acid reflux.
• Plant-based milk
  Plant-based milks are a great solution for people who are lactose intolerant or just experience increased symptoms of GERD. There are a variety of plant-based milks like almond milk, soy milk, flax milk, cashew milk, and coconut milk that are easily available in the market. Almond milk which has an alkaline composition can help neutralize stomach acidity, thereby relieving acid reflux symptoms. Soy milk also has a lower fat content, making it a much safer choice for people with GERD.
• Fruit juice
  There are a few drinks that are acidic in nature and may trigger acid reflux. Fruits like pineapple juice, apple juice, and tomato juice should be avoided. Hence, it would be better for GERD patients to go with juices that are less acidic in nature like carrot juice, aloe vera juice, watermelon juice, and pear juice to name just a few.