Why Does Drinking Water Help with Acid Reflux?
Medically reviewed by Linda Girgis | MD, Girgis Family Medicine on August 22nd, 2026.
Drinking water helps with acid reflux by diluting stomach acid and promoting digestion. When you drink water, it temporarily neutralizes excess acid in your stomach and helps wash acid back down from your esophagus. Water also stimulates saliva production, which contains natural bicarbonates that buffer acid. The optimal approach is drinking small sips during meals rather than large amounts, as too much water can actually worsen reflux by increasing stomach volume. Studies show that alkaline water with a pH above 8.8 may be particularly effective at neutralizing pepsin, the enzyme that damages esophageal tissue during reflux episodes.
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