Are onions bad for acid reflux?

Q: Are onions bad for acid reflux?

Often a trigger. Raw onion has been shown to increase heartburn in people with reflux in a small study, and it is a commonly reported trigger. Cooked onion is often better tolerated.

Common trigger

Raw onion has been shown to increase heartburn in people with reflux in a small study, and it is a commonly reported trigger. Cooked onion is often better tolerated.

Tips

Cook onions well, or try a small amount of the green part of spring onions.

Try instead

Fennel, celery or the green tops of spring onions

Is it a trigger for you?

Reactions vary a lot between people. Log onions 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.