Is butter bad for acid reflux?

Butter is almost pure fat, and fatty meals slow stomach emptying and can relax the lower oesophageal sphincter. A thin spread is usually fine; dishes rich in butter are more likely to cause trouble.

Tips

• Use a little, and avoid butter-heavy sauces in the evening.

Try instead

A thin layer of spread, or a little olive oil

Is it a trigger for you?

Reactions vary a lot between people. Log butter in the symptom diary for two weeks: it shows how often each food is followed by symptoms. Then try two weeks without it and compare.

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Read the full diet guide →