Top lists / Acid reflux

Rf

Water for acid reflux: what the evidence says

Bicarbonate-rich mineral waters, the type tested in one heartburn trial. If fizzy drinks bother you, pick a still one (no bubble icon). Not a treatment.

Criterion: Published bicarbonate of 600 mg/L or more (the EU “contains bicarbonate” level), from the brand’s own verified analysis. Highest first. Sparkling waters (bubble icon) are included because few still waters are this rich, but NHS hospital advice lists fizzy drinks as a possible reflux trigger and the 2023 trial used a still water, so a still version is the closer match. Sodium must be published and 200 mg/L or less, so very salty spa waters are left out.

Not medical advice. No water treats or cures a medical condition. If you have symptoms most days, or trouble swallowing, vomiting or weight loss, see a doctor or pharmacist. Bicarbonate-rich waters can be high in sodium.

Why it matters

A 2023 randomised, placebo-controlled trial found that 1.5 L a day of a still, bicarbonate-rich mineral water (about 1,800 mg/L bicarbonate) eased heartburn more than an ordinary mineral water over six weeks. The evidence for high-pH “alkaline” water is weaker: a 2012 study showed pH 8.8 water inactivated pepsin in the lab, not in people. NHS advice is to avoid your own trigger foods and drinks, eat smaller meals and not eat 3–4 hours before bed; hospital diet sheets list fizzy drinks as a possible trigger.

Sources (4)
Top 20 of 32 qualifying waters · per litre, as publishedCompare the top 3 →
#WaterBicarbonateSodiumpHCompare
1Long LifeAustria2,111 mg/L129.4 mg/L—Compare
2GerolsteinerGermany1,816 mg/L118 mg/L—Compare
3RhodiusGermany1,779 mg/L170 mg/L—Compare
4Rudolfův pramenCzech Republic1,650 mg/L93.4 mg/L6.1Compare
5KryniczankaPoland1,623 mg/L54.2 mg/L—Compare
6FerrarelleItaly1,500 mg/L50 mg/L6.2Compare
7MuszyniankaPoland1,489 mg/L87.8 mg/L—Compare
8BeypazarıTurkey1,433.5 mg/L138.18 mg/L—Compare
9Uludağ Doğal Maden SuyuTurkey1,429.8 mg/L160 mg/L—Compare
10TönissteinerGermany1,413 mg/L112 mg/L—Compare
11BaldovskáSlovakia1,366 mg/L62.5 mg/L—Compare
12Kızılay ErzincanTurkey1,317.6 mg/L108.92 mg/L—Compare
13SanfaustinoItaly1,280 mg/L20.2 mg/L6.1Compare
14BadoitFrance1,250 mg/L180 mg/L—Compare
15Rosbacher KlassischGermany1,225 mg/L89 mg/L—Compare
16RhäzünserSwitzerland1,170 mg/L160 mg/L—Compare
17TușnadRomania1,160 mg/L137 mg/L—Compare
18Sırma Doğal Maden SuyuTurkey1,125 mg/L186 mg/L—Compare
19Theodora Calcia (Kékkúti)Hungary1,110 mg/L37 mg/L—Compare
20hassia SprudelGermany1,049 mg/L164 mg/L—Compare

Still water with pH 8.8 or higher

Criterion: Still water with a published pH of 8.8 or higher, the level used in the 2012 lab study. Highest first. Lab evidence only; not shown to help in people.

14 waters · per litre, as published
#WaterpHTDSCompare
1EssentiaUSA9.9261.33 mg/LTDSCompare
2Positivity Alkaline WaterUSA9.941 mg/LTDSCompare
3Good & Gather Alkaline WaterUSA9.8Not detectedTDSCompare
4Gorna BanyaBulgaria9.8—Compare
5H-E-B Alkaline WaterUSA9.743.5 mg/LTDSCompare
6DevinBulgaria9.56—Compare
7MonchiquePortugal9.5297 mg/Ldry residue 180°CCompare
8Alkaline88USA9.439 mg/LTDSCompare
9AWA Alkaline WaterNew Zealand9.4270 mg/LTDSCompare
10Hisarya (Хисаря)Bulgaria9239.9 mg/LmineralisationCompare
11Iceland SpringIceland8.8848 mg/LTDSCompare
12EvamorUSA8.8–9.1181 mg/LTDSCompare
13Prolom vodaSerbia8.8148 mg/LTDSCompare
14Damla (Coca-Cola)Turkey7.57–8.9—Compare
Sources (34)

FAQ

Does alkaline water help acid reflux?

The evidence is limited. A 2012 lab study found pH 8.8 water inactivated pepsin in a test tube, which has not been shown in people. A 2023 trial found a still, bicarbonate-rich mineral water eased heartburn more than an ordinary mineral water.

Is sparkling water bad for reflux?

It can be for some people: NHS hospital diet advice lists carbonated drinks as a possible trigger. If bubbles bother you, choose still water.

Values as published by each brand, per litre. Not medical advice.