Sleeping pills and soda don't mix

May 10 2005

Researchers in Arizona warn that sleeping pills and sodas do not mix, and can in fact cause heartburn at night so severe that it disrupts sleep on a regular basis.

According to the study one of the most commonly prescribed sleeping pills, benzodiazepines, when mixed with carbonated soft drinks can cause reflux into the oesophagus.

In the study the team from the University of Arizona, distributed self-report sleep habit questionnaires to 15,314 people from nine centers across the United States. The questionnaires asked whether people suffered from heartburn during sleep, defined as "if they were awakened two or more times a month by heartburn."

The questionnaires also collected information on other patient demographics, sleep abnormalities, medical history and social habits.

In total, 3,806 people reported experiencing heartburn during sleep.

These results say the researchers clearly identifies a link between carbonated soft drink consumption and night-time heartburn, and this appears to be as a result of the carbonated soft drinks' high acidity level.

The study is summarized in the May issue of the journal Chest.