Is hot chocolate bad for acid reflux?

Q: Is hot chocolate bad for acid reflux?

Often a trigger. Chocolate contains cocoa compounds, including theobromine and a little caffeine, that can relax the lower oesophageal sphincter. Hot chocolate made with whole milk or cream also adds fat, which slows stomach emptying.

Common trigger

Chocolate contains cocoa compounds, including theobromine and a little caffeine, that can relax the lower oesophageal sphincter. Hot chocolate made with whole milk or cream also adds fat, which slows stomach emptying.

Tips

If you have it, make a small cup with semi-skimmed milk and not close to bedtime.

Try instead

Warm milk with a pinch of cinnamon, or a caffeine-free malted drink

Is it a trigger for you?

Reactions vary a lot between people. Log hot chocolate 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.

Read the full diet guide →

Sources

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.
NICE. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and dyspepsia in adults: investigation and management (CG184). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2014, updated 2019.