Short Answer: Cranberry juice is bad for acid reflux. Because it has citric acid and other organic acids that can lower the esophageal pH and trigger acid reflux.
Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth and stomach.
In acid reflux, your body produces too much stomach acid or the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly.
This allows the stomach acid to flow back into your esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and esophageal cancer.
One of the key factors in managing acid reflux is diet.
What you consume can affect your esophageal pH, which can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume alkaline foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds and avoid acidic foods like citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, spicy or fatty foods.
Now, cranberry juice is a tart and refreshing beverage made from cranberries, water, and sugar.
People usually drink cranberry juice for its health benefits, such as preventing urinary tract infections, improving heart health, and boosting immunity.
Cranberry juice is bad for acid reflux because it contains citric acid and other organic acids that can lower the esophageal pH and trigger acid reflux.
Cranberry juice may also worsen acid reflux symptoms in people who have hiatal hernia, a condition where the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm.
One cup of cranberry juice can give you 23% of your daily vitamin C, 20% of your daily vitamin E, and 15% of your daily copper.
However, it can also give you 30 grams of sugar, which can contribute to weight gain and inflammation.
Citric acid can irritate the esophageal lining and cause heartburn.
Vitamin C can increase the absorption of iron, which can worsen acid reflux in people who have iron overload.
Copper can interact with some medications, such as antacids and proton pump inhibitors, and reduce their effectiveness.
Furthermore, cranberry juice is a fruit juice and fruit juices are bad for acid reflux.
Because, they are high in sugar and low in fiber, which can increase gastric pressure and cause acid reflux.
That’s why I suggest you limit your cranberry juice intake to avoid aggravating your acid reflux.
Stick to one glass per day or less to minimize the negative effects.
You can also dilute cranberry juice with water or mix it with other alkaline juices, such as cucumber or celery, to reduce its acidity.
Also, you shouldn’t drink cranberry juice if you have or suffer from gastritis, peptic ulcers, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to prevent worsening your condition.
Because, cranberry juice can increase the acidity and inflammation in your stomach and esophagus.
You can buy fresh cranberries in your local market or can order them online.
Always choose organic and unsweetened cranberries, because they have fewer pesticides and additives.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to two months or in the freezer for up to a year.
You can also buy cranberry juice online or offline.
To buy it online, there are many brands and marketplaces to choose from.
But as a nutritionist, I recommend Lakewood Organic Pure Cranberry Juice from Amazon.
Because, it is 100% pure, organic, unsweetened, and cold-pressed, which preserves the nutrients and antioxidants of cranberries.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and essential medical care is key to managing acid reflux effectively.
I always recommend my acid reflux patients to follow an acid reflux-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being and enjoy a longer and healthier life.