The Pregnancy Reflux Solution You Probably Haven’t Tried Yet

When I was pregnant with my son, heartburn was a daily occurrence. I resorted to chewing gum all day long, just to take the edge off. And I know I wasn’t alone in my suffering. Heartburn (caused by reflux) is a very common pregnancy symptom, due to the many changes that happen to the body during this transformational time. And while antacids and other over-the-counter medicines are common treatments, there’s also an all-natural remedy that many moms-to-be haven’t heard of: alginates. Derived from kelp, this substance has actually been used as a thickener in foods for over 100 years. To learn more about how alginate therapy can help treat reflux in pregnancy, we spoke to Peter Belafsky, MD, Ph.D., MPH, Director of The Center for Voice and Swallowing at the University of California at Davis, and Co-Founder of Reflux Gourmet. Here’s what you need to know about why alginate therapy can help and how it works.

Why Is Acid Reflux So Common During Pregnancy?

You’ve probably realized by now that the body goes through many changes during pregnancy, including ones that aren’t as visible as a growing bump. When it comes to reflux, specifically, pregnancy causes a change in hormones that can relax the lower esophageal sphincter (the barrier at the bottom of the esophagus), which makes it easier for stomach acid to creep up into your esophagus. “Pair that with a growing baby pushing on your stomach and you are primed for reflux,” says Dr. Belafsky.

What Are Alginates, and How Do They Help With Pregnancy Reflux?

Originally discovered in 1881, alginates are derived from seaweed (specifically, brown kelp). They are often used as a thickener in foods like ice cream, salad dressing and jam. “It has many wonderful properties and is also widely used in wound healing. With all this history, it has been well-established that alginates are very safe and probably in your kitchen right now,” says Dr. Belafsky.

How alginates work

When formulated a certain way, alginate therapy actually creates a gel barrier that floats on top of the stomach contents, almost like a raft. This creates a layer of protection between the stomach acid and the esophagus, preventing the burning sensation caused by acid rising past the lower esophageal sphincter. “This mechanism of protection also leaves the much needed acid in your stomach to do its job with digestion and nutrient absorption,” says Dr. Belafsky. Plus, the alginate gel leaves a soothing and protective coating in the esophagus which is beneficial.

The most common times to use this treatment are after eating and before bed. The gel will float to the top of the stomach within a few minutes, offering quick relief that should last for several hours. “The gel raft barrier is digested just like any other food; the average time for digestion or gastric emptying is about three to four hours,” says Dr. Belafsky.

How alginates are different from other reflux remedies

If you’ve headed to the drug store looking for relief, you’ve likely come across antacids or acid-reducing medications like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers. While all of these treatments aim to ease discomfort, they don’t all work in the same way.

Antacids work by neutralizing stomach acid that’s already present, while PPIs and H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. Alginates, on the other hand, don’t alter stomach acid at all. Instead, they help prevent acid from traveling back into the esophagus in the first place. “Antacid and acid reducers do not actually prevent reflux—they just make what you are refluxing less acidic,” says Dr. Belafsky. “Alginate therapy actually prevents reflux by forming a gel raft barrier that floats on top of the stomach contents to prevent reflux and protect the esophagus.”

Because alginates work by creating a physical barrier rather than changing the stomach’s acid levels, they allow stomach acid to continue to break down food normally. “This mechanism of protection also leaves the much-needed acid in your stomach to do its job with digestion and nutrient absorption,” says Dr. Belafsky.

Are Alginates Safe During Pregnancy?

As alginates are already in many of the foods you might be consuming and have been used as an ingredient in food for decades, they are considered a safe and effective option to treat reflux, with very few side effects. But as always, check with your doctor if you are experiencing persistent heartburn during pregnancy.

What Sets Reflux Gourmet Apart

Reflux Gourmet was developed by physicians who wanted to create an alginate treatment made with natural ingredients. The formula combines alginate with calcium to create the gel that forms the product’s signature protective “raft.” “It is a special alginate combined with calcium… Once that gel hits the acidic environment of the stomach… it floats on top of the stomach contents,” says Dr. Belafsky.

But creating an effective gel was only part of the challenge. According to Dr. Belafsky, alginates on their own don’t have the most appealing flavor, making them difficult for people to take consistently. That’s why Reflux Gourmet partnered with Michelin-starred chef Ken Frank, who draws on both his culinary expertise and personal experience with chronic reflux to develop all of Reflux Gourmet’s flavor profiles, including Mint Chocolate Rescue and Vanilla Caramel Rescue.

The team also wanted the formula to stay true to its natural-ingredient philosophy, so they developed an all-natural preservative profile made with just three ingredients. “Our Rescue products are the absolute safest option for alginate therapy due to our patent-pending all-natural preservative profile,” says Dr. Belafsky. “It remains the gold standard of safe and effective natural reflux management today.”

Buy it: Reflux Gourmet Mint Chocolate Rescue, $28, RefluxGourmet.com.

Other Ways to Ease Heartburn During Pregnancy

In addition to remedies like alginates, there are other lifestyle adjustments you can make to try and limit your reflux symptoms. Dr. Belafsky recommends taking note of foods that seem to trigger discomfort and avoiding them. “Contrary to popular belief, this can vary widely from person to person,” he says. He also suggests eating small, more frequent meals, managing stress and trying not to lie down for at least 2 hours after eating. Also consider limiting spicy, fried/fatty foods or carbonated drinks.

But if your heartburn persists, you should absolutely take it seriously and see your doctor. “Many people brush off chronic reflux or heartburn as benign, chomping on antacids like candy and shrugging it off. While it can be nothing more than annoying, reflux can also be harmful and should be medically evaluated,” says Dr. Belafsky.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.