If you have acid reflux, you know how annoying it can be to go out and have fun with your friends. Ordering takeout or some drinks can become a hassle when you have to think about whether you'll be suffering the next day.
To avoid it, you have to know the acidity levels of drinks and your preferred alcohols to check whether you can safely indulge in these cocktails. For example, vodka: Can you have it on acid reflux? Is vodka acidic?
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Is Vodka Acidic?
Vodka doesn't have a low pH level, but it's still an acidic drink, just like all alcohol. This means that it can worsen your acid reflux or GERD symptoms, especially if consumed in large quantities. It also isn't healthy, so it doesn't help you stay healthy in any way.
This doesn't mean that you can't enjoy an occasional vodka drink, though. It just means that you have to practice moderation.
What is the pH level of vodka?
Vodka has a pH level of around 6.0-7.0. It has one of the highest pH levels of all alcohols, but it's still rather acidic and can increase your stomach acid production, leading to acid reflux and GERD symptoms. It also doesn't contain any nutrients, minerals, or vitamins that could help offset its acidity.
On the bright side, vodka is one of the easiest alcohol on your stomach, so if you're planning on indulging in some alcoholic drinks, choosing vodka-based ones is the best idea. But make sure to mix the vodka with low-acid juices to keep your drink as harmless on your digestive system as possible.
Can vodka be healthy?
If you enjoy an occasional vodka drink, there's some good news: it can actually bring you some health benefits. While this alcohol may not include minerals and vitamins, research shows that it's might not be as bad as you think. But let's start with its caloric content.
The more concentrated vodka is (the higher the proof), the more calories it contains. To calculate how much alcohol vodka has, simply divide the proof by two.
For example, 80 proof vodka is 40% alcohol, 100 proof vodka is 50% alcohol, etc. A standard one-shot serving of vodka contains about 97 calories, which makes it a low-calorie drink.
While vodka may lack nutrients, a recent study confirmed that a moderate alcohol intake decreases the risk of dying from coronary diseases, congestive heart failure, stroke, and diabetes. This might be because strong liquor dilutes your blood, lowering your blood pressure, which is beneficial.
But remember that this benefit only applies if your alcohol consumption isn't high. If it is, you're risking many other conditions, including liver and kidney failure, which can lead to lethal health complications.
Another study has shown that consuming moderate amounts of alcohol can improve your mood and well-being, causing an increased sex drive. While this research focused mainly on beer and wine, having a vodka-infused drink can be helpful as well and make you feel relaxed.
Again, drinking too much can lead to depression and anxiety, so to get this benefit, stick to the standard serving for your weight; some women may consume more, and some men less than the recommended typical serving.
With all of this in mind, remember that you can only hope for these benefits if you consume alcohol in moderation: one drink per day for women and one or two drinks per day for men. Anything more than that poses a serious health risk that can lead to severe and chronic conditions.
Regularly drinking too much alcohol can cause alcoholism, which comes with risks for your physical and mental health. So, be sure to drink for a reason and not make it your day-to-day routine.
Can you drink vodka on acid reflux?
Like other types of alcohol, Vodka is very acidic, so it may aggravate your symptoms of acid reflux. Because of that, it's important not to overdo it, especially if your acid reflux or GERD symptoms are particularly bad.
An occasional drink won't harm you, but overdoing it can make you feel even worse than after consuming too many acidic foods.
Likewise, drinking cocktails with vodka and acidic juices can be bad for heartburn and increase your caloric intake, particularly if you drink a lot in one sitting.
While all alcohol in high amounts will worsen your acid reflux symptoms, vodka may be your best choice for celebration and all other parties. To ensure that you don't add bad heartburn to your hangover, choose standard vodka with 40% alcohol.
It's because the more alcohol the vodka contains, the more calories and acidity it provides. It becomes even worse when you add juices, fruits (like lemons and limes), and refined sugars to your drinks. Because of that, it's best to keep your drinks as simple as possible.
What drinks with vodka are best for acid reflux?
The best alcoholic drink for people with acid reflux is pure vodka. It doesn't contain too many calories, and it won't cause excess stomach acid production. If you want to have a cocktail, vodka is still your best option, but it's important not to choose acidic juices and fruits.
For example, vodka with cranberry or apple juice is one of the best choices if your acid reflux is bad. Cranberry and apple juices won't worsen your symptoms, and they will also provide you with some essential vitamins and minerals that can help prevent an awful hangover the next day if you have too much.
Just like all alcohols, vodka is an acidic drink. But if you choose to indulge in some alcohol while suffering from acid reflux or GERD, vodka may be your best bet as it doesn't contain too many calories.
If you drink it in moderation, it can also bring you some solid health benefits that other types of alcohol can't. But make sure not to overdo it since that can have detrimental effects on your physical and mental well-being.
Don't know what to drink? Check out these articles: 20 Most and Least Acidic Juices and 20+ Alcoholic Drinks Ranked by Acidity Level