What drink calms hiatal hernia? A Guide to Soothing Beverages

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to one source, dietary adjustments and other lifestyle changes are often the first line of management for acid reflux and hiatal hernias. Your beverage choices can significantly impact your comfort, and knowing what drink calms hiatal hernia flare-ups is key to symptom management. This guide explores the best and worst drink choices for managing this condition.

Quick Summary

Water, soothing herbal teas like chamomile and ginger, and alkaline options such as coconut water and almond milk can help calm hiatal hernia symptoms. Avoiding acidic, caffeinated, and carbonated beverages is crucial to prevent irritation and symptom flare-ups.

Key Points

Water is the Best: Sipping water throughout the day dilutes stomach acid and aids digestion without causing irritation.
Herbal Teas Offer Relief: Chamomile, ginger, DGL licorice, and slippery elm teas provide anti-inflammatory effects and coat the esophagus to soothe irritation.
Embrace Alkaline Drinks: Coconut water and plant-based milks like almond milk can help neutralize stomach acid.
Avoid the Triggers: Stay away from caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, and citrus juices, as they can worsen acid reflux.
Timing Matters: Do not drink large quantities of fluid with meals or right before bed to prevent increased pressure on the stomach.
Consider Aloe Vera: Purified aloe vera juice has anti-inflammatory properties that can calm the digestive lining.

Understanding the Link Between Beverages and Hiatal Hernia Symptoms

A hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm, the muscle separating the abdomen from the chest. This can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), causing uncomfortable symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, and a burning sensation in the chest. The beverages you choose can either aggravate these symptoms by increasing stomach acid or relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), or they can help soothe irritation and calm inflammation. Opting for neutral or alkaline fluids can help reduce the acidity of stomach contents, while certain herbal ingredients offer anti-inflammatory benefits to the digestive tract.

Soothing Sips: What to Drink for Hiatal Hernia Relief

The All-Powerful Water

Water is arguably the best and simplest drink for managing a hiatal hernia. Drinking water throughout the day helps dilute stomach acid and aids in the overall digestion and motility of food. Sipping water slowly and frequently, especially between meals, can help clear acid from the esophagus. Some individuals find drinking a glass of warm water in the morning to be particularly helpful, as it can help relax the abdominal muscles. It is advisable to avoid drinking large quantities of water during meals, as this can increase stomach volume and potentially worsen reflux.

Calming Herbal Teas

Certain herbal teas are known for their anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, making them excellent choices for hiatal hernia sufferers.

Chamomile Tea: This popular tea is known to relax digestive muscles and reduce inflammation, which can help manage stress-induced acidity and aid sleep by minimizing nighttime reflux.
Ginger Tea: With its natural anti-inflammatory agents, ginger root can calm the digestive tract, ease nausea, and reduce stomach pain. It is recommended to use small doses to avoid any potential irritation.
Licorice Root Tea (DGL): Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is a safe form of licorice that can help increase the mucus coating of the esophageal lining, protecting it from stomach acid. Research suggests DGL may provide more consistent relief for GERD symptoms than some antacids.
Slippery Elm Tea: When mixed with water, the bark of the slippery elm tree creates a gel-like consistency that forms a protective barrier over the esophagus, soothing irritation and heartburn.
Marshmallow Root Tea: Similar to slippery elm, marshmallow root contains mucilage, a sticky substance that coats and protects irritated tissues in the esophagus.

Alkaline Beverages

Alkaline drinks can help neutralize stomach acid, providing relief from heartburn and acid reflux.

Coconut Water: Unsweetened coconut water is a natural, slightly alkaline beverage rich in electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, which can help balance pH levels in the body.
Plant-Based Milks: Options like almond or oat milk are lower in fat than full-fat cow's milk and can help neutralize stomach acid. Almond milk is particularly alkaline.
Aloe Vera Juice: The anti-inflammatory properties of decolorized and purified aloe vera juice can help calm irritation in the digestive tract. Start with a small dose to monitor for any side effects.

Comparison of Soothing Beverages


Drink	Main Mechanism	Key Benefit	Notes
Water	Dilution & Digestion	Clears acid, aids motility	Best when sipped between meals
Chamomile Tea	Anti-inflammatory	Relaxes muscles, soothes irritation	Good for stress-related symptoms
Ginger Tea	Anti-inflammatory	Reduces nausea and discomfort	Use in small doses
DGL Licorice Tea	Coats Esophagus	Protects against stomach acid	Use DGL form to avoid side effects
Slippery Elm Tea	Forms Protective Barrier	Soothes heartburn & irritation	Mix with hot water to create a gel
Coconut Water	pH Balancing	Neutralizes stomach acid	Unsweetened variety is best
Almond Milk	Alkaline Effect	Helps neutralize stomach acid	Low-fat, plant-based alternative
Aloe Vera Juice	Anti-inflammatory	Calms digestive irritation	Use decolorized, purified juice; start small

Drinks to Avoid That Worsen Hiatal Hernia Symptoms

Just as certain drinks can help, others can severely aggravate hiatal hernia symptoms.

Caffeinated Beverages: Coffee and some caffeinated teas can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. Peppermint tea, despite being herbal, can also be a trigger for some individuals.
Alcohol: All alcoholic drinks can irritate a hiatal hernia. Alcohol is acidic and relaxes the LES, making reflux more likely.
Carbonated Drinks: The bubbles in soda, seltzer, and other carbonated beverages increase pressure on the stomach, which can cause bloating and belching.
Citrus Juices: These juices are highly acidic and can exacerbate acid reflux. Avoid orange, grapefruit, and lemon juices.
Full-Fat Dairy: High-fat content can relax the LES and delay stomach emptying, increasing the risk of reflux. Low-fat milk might be tolerated by some, but plant-based alternatives are often safer.

How to Optimize Your Drinking Habits

Hydrate Throughout the Day: Sip water regularly between meals to stay hydrated and keep stomach acid diluted.
Timing Your Drinks: Avoid drinking large amounts with meals and refrain from all consumption within 2-3 hours of bedtime.
Choose Soothing Teas: Incorporate herbal teas like chamomile or ginger into your daily routine, especially when feeling symptoms.
Try Alkaline Options: Experiment with unsweetened coconut water or almond milk to see if they help neutralize your stomach acid.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how different beverages affect you and adjust your consumption accordingly. Some people may be sensitive to different ingredients.

Conclusion

Choosing the right drinks can make a significant difference in managing hiatal hernia symptoms and improving overall digestive comfort. By focusing on simple, non-acidic, and soothing options like water, herbal teas, and alkaline beverages, you can reduce irritation and minimize reflux episodes. Equally important is consciously avoiding trigger drinks such as caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated sodas, which can exacerbate the condition. Remember that dietary and lifestyle changes are key components of effective management. For persistent or severe symptoms, always consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best treatment plan for your needs.

For more information on managing hiatal hernias and reflux, you can visit the Mayo Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Water is the single best drink to calm a hiatal hernia. It helps dilute stomach acid and aids overall digestion without introducing any potential irritants.

Yes, but you should choose herbal teas carefully. Chamomile, ginger, and DGL licorice teas are often recommended for their soothing properties, but you should avoid caffeinated or peppermint teas, as they can trigger acid reflux in some individuals.

Yes, caffeine can affect a hiatal hernia by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which can increase the likelihood of acid reflux and worsen symptoms.

Full-fat milk is not recommended as its high fat content can relax the LES and delay digestion. Low-fat milk may be tolerated by some, but alkaline plant-based alternatives like almond milk are often a safer choice.

You should avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, and carbonated beverages, as well as citrus juices. These can relax the LES, irritate the esophagus, or increase stomach pressure.

Unsweetened coconut water is slightly alkaline and contains electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, which can help promote a healthy pH balance and neutralize excess stomach acid.

It's best to sip liquids slowly and frequently throughout the day, especially between meals. Avoid drinking large amounts with meals and do not drink for at least 2-3 hours before lying down, as this can increase stomach pressure and reflux.