Can I get acid reflux from gluten?

November 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a study, individuals with celiac disease are significantly more likely to experience GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) symptoms than the general population, confirming a link between gluten and digestive issues. This reveals that for certain people, eating foods containing gluten can indeed trigger or worsen acid reflux symptoms.

Quick Summary

The consumption of gluten can cause acid reflux and related symptoms in individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Mechanisms include inflammation, altered digestive function, and gut damage, which can disrupt the lower esophageal sphincter. An elimination diet can help determine if gluten is a personal trigger, while a gluten-free diet is often effective in resolving symptoms.

Key Points

Celiac Disease Link: Individuals with celiac disease frequently experience acid reflux symptoms, which often resolve with a gluten-free diet.
Inflammation is the Cause: Gluten can trigger inflammation and damage in the digestive tract of sensitive individuals, affecting gut motility and sphincter function.
NCGS Connection: People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity may also experience reflux due to gluten, though the mechanism is different than in celiac disease.
Effective Treatment: Adopting a gluten-free diet often leads to a significant and lasting reduction in acid reflux symptoms related to gluten sensitivity.
Professional Diagnosis is Key: Before self-diagnosing, consult a doctor to get tested for celiac disease, as testing requires gluten in the diet and rules out other causes.
Holistic Approach: Successful management involves addressing the underlying cause and adopting a diet of whole, naturally gluten-free foods, rather than just relying on medication.

The Connection Between Gluten and Acid Reflux

While gluten is not a direct cause of acid reflux for everyone, a significant number of individuals with gluten-related disorders experience reflux symptoms. The connection is multifaceted, involving inflammation, digestive motility, and immune responses triggered by gluten consumption in sensitive individuals.

Celiac Disease and GERD

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the small intestine after gluten is ingested. This chronic inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining can disrupt the entire digestive system, including the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that prevents stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. Research has consistently shown a high prevalence of GERD symptoms in untreated celiac patients. A study found that adults with undiagnosed celiac disease were six times more likely to experience moderate to severe GERD symptoms compared to healthy individuals. The good news is that a strict, long-term gluten-free diet often leads to a rapid and persistent improvement in reflux symptoms for these patients.

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)

For those with NCGS, a condition where individuals experience symptoms from gluten consumption without having celiac disease or a wheat allergy, acid reflux can also be a significant issue. While the exact mechanism is less understood than in celiac disease, some studies suggest a link. For instance, research has shown that a percentage of individuals with severe acid reflux tested positive for gluten sensitivity and experienced symptom improvement after adopting a gluten-free diet. The proposed mechanisms include localized inflammation in the gut and irritation that can indirectly lead to reflux.

The Role of Inflammation and Digestive Motility

Gluten-induced inflammation is a primary factor. In both celiac disease and NCGS, gluten can trigger an inflammatory response that affects the gastrointestinal tract. This inflammation can cause damage and alter motility—the movement of food through the digestive system. Delayed gastric emptying, a common finding in untreated celiac disease, can increase the risk of acid reflux by keeping food in the stomach longer and increasing pressure on the LES. Furthermore, disturbed neuroendocrine control of upper gastrointestinal function, a potential consequence of chronic intestinal inflammation, may also contribute to reflux events.

How a Gluten-Free Diet Can Help

Adopting a gluten-free diet is the standard treatment for celiac disease and is a key diagnostic step for NCGS. Many studies support the effectiveness of a gluten-free diet in resolving reflux symptoms associated with these conditions. The improvement is likely due to the reduction of intestinal inflammation, allowing the gut to heal and normal digestive motility to be restored.

List of foods to embrace on a gluten-free diet:

Fruits and vegetables: Naturally gluten-free and often high in fiber, which supports digestion.
Lean protein: Meat, poultry, fish, and legumes are excellent protein sources without gluten.
Gluten-free whole grains: Quinoa, brown rice, and oats (certified gluten-free) are good alternatives.
Healthy fats: Avocados, nuts, and seeds can be part of a balanced diet.

Celiac vs. Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity Reflux


Feature	Celiac Disease	Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)
Immune Response	Autoimmune; attacks the small intestine.	Non-autoimmune; inflammatory response triggered by gluten.
Intestinal Damage	Characterized by intestinal villous atrophy.	No intestinal damage or villous atrophy present.
Reflux Prevalence	Highly correlated; reflux symptoms are common at diagnosis.	Correlation supported by some studies; prevalence may be lower.
Dietary Impact	A strict, lifelong gluten-free diet is essential for healing and resolving symptoms.	Symptoms improve with gluten elimination, but long-term adherence may vary.
Diagnostic Method	Requires blood tests (serology) and often an intestinal biopsy.	Diagnosis by exclusion of celiac disease and wheat allergy, followed by an elimination diet.

Other Factors and Diagnosis

It's important to note that other factors can cause acid reflux, including lifestyle choices, other food triggers, and underlying medical conditions. For example, high-fat foods, spicy items, chocolate, and caffeine are well-known reflux triggers. If you suspect gluten is causing your acid reflux, it is vital to consult a healthcare professional. A supervised elimination diet can help confirm the link, but it's crucial to get tested for celiac disease before removing gluten from your diet, as the testing requires gluten consumption. Proper diagnosis is the best path toward effective management and long-term relief.

Conclusion

For individuals with a diagnosed gluten-related disorder, such as celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, the answer to the question "can I get acid reflux from gluten?" is often yes. The consumption of gluten can trigger intestinal inflammation, disrupt digestive motility, and lead to reflux symptoms like heartburn. Adopting a gluten-free diet has been proven to resolve these issues for many. For those with persistent reflux, it is worth investigating a potential link to gluten, but only under the guidance of a healthcare professional who can rule out celiac disease and other causes. Addressing the root cause, rather than simply suppressing symptoms with medication, offers a more comprehensive and lasting solution for digestive health. For more information on celiac disease, consult the Celiac Disease Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, for individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten can trigger an inflammatory reaction that leads to acid reflux and the burning sensation of heartburn.

The best way is to work with a doctor to perform a temporary elimination diet, removing all sources of gluten for several weeks while monitoring your symptoms. Testing for celiac disease or wheat allergy should be done first, as it requires you to be eating gluten.

In celiac disease, the autoimmune response causes direct damage to the small intestine, leading to widespread digestive disruption that can cause reflux. In non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), the link is less direct but still involves an inflammatory response that can trigger reflux without intestinal damage.

If gluten is the root cause of your reflux due to a sensitivity or celiac disease, a strict gluten-free diet can effectively resolve your symptoms. However, if other factors are involved, the diet alone may only help manage the condition.

No. Many processed gluten-free products can be high in sugar or unhealthy fats, which are common triggers for acid reflux. It's important to focus on whole, unprocessed gluten-free foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.

Besides acid reflux, symptoms can include bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, and 'brain fog'.

It is not recommended to start a gluten-free diet without consulting a doctor, especially if celiac disease is a possibility. Eliminating gluten before testing can cause a false negative result, delaying an accurate diagnosis.