Saltine Crackers for Acid Reflux Relief: Tips and Foods to Avoid
Digestive HealthGERD
Explore This Topic

Are Saltines Good for Acid Reflux? Tips and Foods to Avoid

Are Saltines Good for Acid Reflux? Tips and Foods to Avoid
AnSyvanych/iStock/GettyImages
By
Updated on July 31, 2025
by

When you get heartburn or an acid taste at the back of your throat, you may reach for saltine crackers in hopes they'll bring relief.

But are saltines backed by research as a treatment for acid reflux? We asked the experts.

What Causes Acid Reflux?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the burning chest discomfort that people describe as heartburn is often caused by stomach acid backing up in the esophagus.

 Doctors refer to this as acid reflux. If you have it often, your doctor may diagnose you with a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Can Saltines Really Help?

"Yes, saltines can neutralize acid," says C. Prakash Gyawali, MD, a gastroenterology professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. "Actually, eating anything can neutralize acid, but crackers have been noted to reduce the burning sensation."

But while crackers can neutralize the acid that's causing your symptoms, "you probably shouldn't put butter or anything on them," says Dr. Gyawali. "Just eat them plain." That's because eating foods high in fat can trigger acid reflux. Butter or margarine may counteract the effects of the crackers and make your symptoms worse.

Does it matter if the crackers are salted or unsalted? "Probably not," says Gyawali.

Other Foods That Help Heartburn

If you don't have crackers on hand, a few sips of water can help, as can milk.

"Milk is alkaline, so it can neutralize and dilute the acid," says Gyawali. However, you want to avoid anything that contains lots of fat, so opt for skim or low-fat milk instead of whole milk.

"Bananas, melon — these are other food items that can reduce the acid burden," says Gyawali. "Bananas in particular."

Foods to Avoid

Some foods are known to trigger acid reflux. Though not every person has the same trigger foods, to prevent heartburn, the American Gastroenterological Association recommends avoiding:

  • Fatty or fried foods
  • Chocolate
  • Alcohol
  • Coffee
  • Citrus fruits and juices
  • Tomatoes and foods that contain them
  • Carbonated beverages

Lifestyle Changes for Managing Heartburn

Beyond diet, there are lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your chances of experiencing heartburn, according to the Mayo Clinic and the American Gastroenterological Association.

 For instance:
  • Eat smaller meals. Overeating can cause acid reflux.
  • Quit smoking. Smoking can weaken the muscular valve at the bottom of your esophagus that controls the opening to your stomach.
  • Don't eat right before bedtime. Give your stomach a few hours to digest before you lie down.
  • Avoid tight-fitting clothes. Garments that put pressure on your stomach, such as control-top pantyhose and shapewear, can contribute to heartburn.
  • Avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatory pain relievers. Try acetaminophen instead.
Some prescription medications may also contribute to heartburn. According to MedlinePlus, these include some types of medications for:

  • Blood pressure (beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers)
  • Birth control (progestogen)
  • Depression (tricyclic antidepressants)
  • Seasickness (anticholinergics)
  • Sleep problems or insomnia (sedatives)
  • Parkinson's disease (dopamine-like medications)
  • Asthma or other lung diseases (theophylline)

If you have frequent heartburn and you take any of these medications, talk with your doctor to see if it might be contributing to your symptoms. Don't stop taking your medication or change the way you take it without talking with your doctor.

Heartburn vs. Heart Attack

How can you tell if your chest pain is just heartburn or something more serious, involving your heart? Signs that it might be more than heartburn include shortness of breath, sweating, lightheadedness, or dizziness and chest pain that spreads to your neck, jaw, or back, according to the Mayo Clinic.

But not all heart attacks involve these typical symptoms, so if you have persistent chest pain and you don't know whether or not it's heartburn, it's best to err on the side of caution. Call 911 or seek emergency medical help.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Heartburn. Cleveland Clinic. January 19, 2023.
  2. Stone C. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). American Gastroenterological Association. September 21, 2021.
  3. Heartburn. Mayo Clinic. May 13, 2022.
  4. Heartburn. MedlinePlus. January 30, 2023.
  5. Heartburn or Heart Attack. Mayo Clinic. December 7, 2023.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network

Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.

Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.

She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.

See full bio

MaryAnn Fletcher

Author

MaryAnn Fletcher is a health writer and editor who has created content for WebMD, Duke Health, NorthShore University Health System, and StayWell. She lives in North Carolina.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network