Can milk help relieve acid indigestion?
When you suffer from indigestion, the symptoms usually show themselves as a discomfort in the upper part of the stomach, known as dyspepsia, or burning pain behind the breastbone, commonly known as heartburn.
Over the years, many people have turned to milk as a traditional home remedy and milk still remains a common first port of call for heartburn and indigestion today.
This is because milk can temporarily calm burning or discomfort. However some types of milk may be tolerated better than others.
In this article, we’re going to dig into the thinking behind whether milk can help acid indigestion and heartburn and consider which types of milk may help.
Why milk is believed to help with acid indigestion?
Some people can feel relief after drinking milk because it can have a short-term soothing effect.
It contains protein and fats that can temporarily coat the esophagus, creating a protective barrier against stomach acid and offering relief from any burning sensation.?
Also, milk has alkaline properties that can neutralise stomach acid for a short period, diluting its strength and easing immediate discomfort.?
The cooling effect of cold milk works particularly well as the temperature can help constrict blood vessels slightly, reducing inflammation.
Relief may only be temporary for some individuals as the fat and protein in milk can trigger a second wave of acid secretion, which can intensify symptoms 30 to 60 minutes later.
What kind of milk is best to help with acid indigestion?
Not all milks are equal when it comes to acid indigestion:
- Full-fat milk can delay the stomach from emptying because of its high fat content and relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), triggering acid reflux.
- The lower the fat content the better which means that skimmed milk is better as it reduces LES
relaxation and empties from the stomach faster. - Plant-based alternatives can carry certain benefits: Oat milk and rice milk are often considered gentler options and acid reflux symptoms from almond milk can be reduced due to the lower fat content.
Individual tolerance can vary – some people may experience relief from any type of milk while others may find that even the smallest of amounts can trigger acid indigestion and heartburn symptoms.
Milk-based recipes that may help soothe indigestion
When you are trying to avoid acid indigestion, there are certain foods that are worth looking out for. Spicy, rich or acidic foods can cause heartburn and indigestion so tweaking your diet can make a big difference.
Trigger foods can vary from person to person. You may have to experiment with your diet until you get it right. In the meantime, combining milk with other foods can reduce acidity and can maximise its effectiveness.
Here are some suggestions:
Warm Oatmeal with Almond Milk and Banana
This is a gentle, easy to digest meal as the almond milk has a lower fat content and the banana is an alkaline food, which is soothing to the esophagus. The warmth of the oatmeal adds a welcome layer of comfort.
Chamomile Milk Tea
This calming and soothing, warm drink aids digestive comfort and is a particularly good go-to as it’s best to avoid overly caffeinated drinks during symptoms.
Turmeric Milk (Golden Milk)
Tumeric milk, also known as golden milk, is a great anti-inflammatory, made by simmering milk with antioxidant-rich spices.
As well as the comfort of the warmth of the drink, the ginger, which is one of the key ingredients, speeds up stomach emptying, which helps with indigestion.
Smoothie Option
This is a great dietary option as long as you stick to non-acidic smoothie ingredients if acidic food is a trigger.
Oat or almond milk provides the gentler, lower fat milk option and banana and oats give you some other gut-friendly potential ingredients.
Summary
While milk may help to sooth symptoms for some people there are certain trigger foods for others that are best avoided as they will counter any benefits you get from the milk.
Check out our other blogs on what foods cause acid indigestions and how to improve gut health.
For relief from occasional indigestion after eating, you can try Bisodol, which can help relieve indigestion and its symptoms.
Bisodol Indigestion Relief Tablets. Always read the label.
