Does chewing gum help acid reflux?

Usually well tolerated

Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal makes you produce more saliva, which helps wash acid back down. Small studies found it reduced acid in the oesophagus after meals.

Tips

  • Chew sugar-free gum for about 30 minutes after eating.
  • Choose fruit flavours over mint if mint bothers you.

Is it a trigger for you?

Reactions vary a lot between people. Log chewing gum 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.

Similar foods

Apple cider vinegar

Read the full diet guide →

Sources

  1. Moazzez R, Bartlett D, Anggiansah A. The effect of chewing sugar-free gum on gastro-esophageal reflux. J Dent Res. 2005;84(11):1062-5.
  2. Katz PO, Dunbar KB, Schnoll-Sussman FH, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022;117(1):27-56.
  3. NICE. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and dyspepsia in adults: investigation and management (CG184). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2014, updated 2019.