Limit your alcohol intake

Heartburn is a common side effect of drinking alcohol. In some cases, alcohol may make GERD and heartburn more common. According to a review from 2019, those who drank more alcohol or more frequently were more likely to get GERD. Although this does not imply a causal relationship, it does raise the possibility.

In fact, alcohol use may make acid reflux and heartburn worse. In fact, some researchers have suggested a connection between greater acid reflux symptoms and increased alcohol use. Alcohol worsens symptoms by increasing stomach acid, relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter, and reducing the esophagus's ability to clear out acid. Older studies also indicate that drinking wine or beer worsens reflux symptoms, particularly when compared to simply drinking water.