Generally, alcohol gets a bad rep for causing various health issues, weight gain, and even acid reflux.
As a result, most people who tend to experience symptoms like heartburn are very wary of drinking too much alcohol.
But if you go out and want to celebrate with a drink or some champagne, are there choices that won’t give you severe heartburn? Is there a type of alcohol that’s not acidic?
All alcohol is acidic, and there’s no way to avoid it as the acidity comes from the alcohol itself. But luckily, there are some types of alcohol that are less likely to give you heartburn and other unpleasant symptoms, provided you consume them in moderation.
For example, pure alcohol like whiskey or gin tends to be the least acidic as long as it’s consumed with non-acidic juices and sodas.
Don't know what to drink? We made a list of more than 20 most and least acidic juices and 20+ alcoholic drinks ranked by acidity levels.
Table of Contents
Is all alcohol acidic?
All types of alcohol have acid-forming properties once digested and metabolized. As a result, no matter what type of alcohol you drink, you’re still at risk of heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms.
On the bright side, some alcohols might be easier for your digestive tract and less likely to lead to painful heartburn.
For example, it might be best to avoid beer, wine, and flavored liquor and stick to pure alcohol, such as gin, whiskey, and vodka.
What’s the least acidic alcohol?
With a pH level ranging between 3.00-6.00, gin is moderately acidic. It also has a milder taste than tequila and some other strong liquors, making it a better choice for people prone to acid reflux.
Gin can often be served with tonic, which is a better alternative to acidic juices and chasers.
What’s more, more drinks made using gin have a mild flavor without too much acidity and bitterness, so drinking it might be easier for your esophagus.
Another alcohol that’s higher on the pH scale is whiskey, ranking at 9.00. This means that it’s above the neutral level, decreasing your risk of developing heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms.
However, it’s still important to remember that all alcohol has acid-forming properties. So, you’re only less likely to experience heartburn if you drink moderate amounts of whiskey.
If you’re not into dark alcohol and don’t enjoy the bitterness of gin, another good choice is vodka with a pH level of around 6.00-7.00.
So, as long as you don’t mix vodka with acidic juices like orange or sugary sodas, you should be able to avoid severe heartburn the next day.
Pure alcohols like vodka also come with some health benefits, including a lower risk of diabetes and high blood pressure as long as you consume them in moderation.
RELATED: How To Reduce The Acidity In Juices
Can alcohol be good for you?
Any health benefit you can get from alcohol only applies to moderate consumption, which is up to one drink per day for most people.
Once you go overboard, you’re increasing your risk of various health issues, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Alcohol also leads to alcoholism, which is closely associated with depression, fatty liver disease, and even cognitive disorders.
So, make sure to stick to the recommended serving and not drink too much and too often.
In terms of health benefits, some studies show that drinking alcohol can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.
For example, drinking alcoholic beverages with meals may prevent spikes in your blood sugar levels, reduce insulin resistance and fight against the main symptoms of diabetes.
On the other hand, once you drink heavily, your risk of diabetes rises, so make sure not to overdo it.
While drinking too much alcohol can lead to cardiovascular disorders, having an occasional drink may reduce your risk of heart disease.
This is because alcohol helps raise your ‘good’ cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and temporarily reduce stress and anxiety.
Together, all of these factors improve your heart health as long as you drink in moderate amounts and stick to healthier alcoholic beverages.
Some studies also believe that moderate drinking may help with weight loss. Experts don’t agree on exactly why that’s the case, but alcohol contains some compounds that prevent spikes in your blood sugar levels, which can help with weight management.
This benefit only applies to pure alcohols, such as rum, vodka, tequila, or gin, as sugary alcohols, beer, and wine are very high in calories.
Can you make alcohol less acidic?
While there’s no way to make alcohol in and of itself less acidic, there are some ways you can serve drinks to avoid worsening their effect on your digestive system.
For example, make sure to avoid drinks made with sugar and acidic juices, such as sweetened soda, orange juice, and pre-made mixers (especially those with artificial coloring).
These will worsen your acid reflux symptoms and make your drinks more acidic.
Another thing you can do is to stick to pure shots of vodka or other plain liquor. That way, you’re less likely to consume too many acidic beverages and harmful substances.
You can also opt for a less acidic chaser and stick to only a couple of shots without going overboard.
This is important, as excessive alcohol consumption can lead to more severe issues than just heartburn.
It might also be good to steer clear from especially acidic drinks, such as tequila, wine, rum, cider, and beer.
These have a very low pH level and more acid-forming properties than the alcohol types listed above.
As a result, these can make your heartburn more severe even after a couple of sips. On the other hand, everyone’s acid reflux triggers are different, so you might be able to tolerate small amounts of these alcoholic beverages.
Conclusion
Every type of alcohol has acid-forming properties. So, if you’re especially prone to acid reflux symptoms, you might want to avoid or strictly limit your intake of such drinks.
On the bright side, there are some less acidic options for those who wish to indulge in a drink or two every once in a while.
As with everything, make sure to choose the healthiest options available and practice moderation.
Don't know what to drink? We made a list of more than 20 most and least acidic juices and 20+ alcoholic drinks ranked by acidity levels.
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