Reflux Gourmet vs Tums

If you’re a sufferer of acid reflux, occasional heartburn, or GERD, you’ve probably turned to various antacids and other remedies for fast and lasting relief.

Two such antacids are tried-and-true Tums and the new, alternative kid on the block, Reflux Gourmet. 

Both have their place in your medicine cabinet, but how do these two very different treatments compare? And which is better?

I looked into it and am here to give you the definitive side-by-side comparison.

How It Works

First, let’s look at how it does what it does. For this, a quick science lesson.

When it comes to fighting heartburn, there are a few different methods that different treatments use, including:

• Acid neutralizers- Drugs like Tums and Rolaids, as well as some natural antacids, use calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide to quickly neutralize stomach acid.
• Alginate-based therapies– Some supplements actually create a gel “raft,” made from algae, that floats on top of stomach contents to prevent acid from into the esophagus.
• Antacids with added soothing compounds- Certain formulas combine neutralizing agents with ingredients like bismuth or aluminum hydroxide to calm irritation while reducing acid.
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)- Meds like omeprazole reduce acid production at the source by blocking proton pumps in the stomach lining, preventing them from pumping too much acid into the stomach.
• Protective coatings- Some drugs, like sucralfate, or natural supplements, like slippery elm bark, form a protective layer over the stomach and esophagus lining to shield the organ tissue from acid.

With that in mind, let’s look at how each of these two reflux solutions works.

Reflux Gourmet

Reflux Gourmet uses an alginate-based therapy to manage reflux symptoms, so it forms a physical barrier in the form of a sort of gel raft that sits on top of your stomach contents, keeping acid from rising into the esophagus. It also contains sodium bicarbonate, an acid-neutralizing agent, for near-immediate relief.

These ingredients are generally safe to take every day, with no concerns presented about extended daily use.

This is a great option for GERD and occasional heartburn, but it’s generally recommended to supplement with a better long-term solution. 

Tums

Tums works using solely an acid-neutralizing approach. The active ingredient, calcium carbonate, interacts with stomach acid to break it down and raise the pH level of your stomach, relieving heartburn symptoms.

It works pretty fast when taken after a meal, usually providing relief within 30 minutes max. Unfortunately, it’s only a short-term solution and doesn’t address the underlying cause of heartburn.

Due to side effects and the nature of the drug, you should only take about 5 per day, and it’s recommended that you seek consultation before taking them for more than a 2-week period at a time.

Winner: Reflux Gourmet

Ingredients

The ingredient list in each of these remedies is where they differ significantly, with one taking an all-natural approach while the other contains a longer list of ingredients that are mostly man-made. 

While one isn’t inherently better than the other, ingredients are an important consideration for many consumers, especially when it comes to health solutions.

Reflux Gourmet

Reflux Gourmet is an all-natural solution that uses only plant-derived ingredients. 

Active ingredients: Reflux Gourmet’s Proprietary Alginate Complex (425 mg), which includes calcium pantothenate (the calcium salt of vitamin B5, good for metabolism and cellular health), sodium alginate (active compound found in kelp), and sodium bicarbonate (acid neutralizer).

Other ingredients: dextrose (a sugar similar to your own blood sugar), deionized water, natural flavor, grapefruit seed extract, and polylysine (drug delivery carrier for absorption).

Reflux Gourmet’s ingredients are all free from glycerin, potassium, parabens, and allergens. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and kosher.

Tums

Tums is an FDA-certified drug that often comes in a chewable tablet, so the ingredients are largely man-made and include some stabilizers to keep the product shelf-stable.

Active ingredient: calcium carbonate (1000 mg in the max strength)

Other ingredients: corn starch, flavors, artificial colors (depending on the flavor and type of Tums), mineral oil, sodium polyphosphate, and talc.

The most controversial ingredient on this list is talc, which has been linked to ovarian cancer and has been known to occasionally contain asbestos when found in nature. While there are regulations in place to keep talc asbestos-free, it’s still under scrutiny from some health-conscious consumers.

Winner: Reflux Gourmet

Effectiveness

Perhaps the most important question here is: Does it work?

Both promise to relieve heartburn fast when taken after a meal. And both technically deliver, though to varying degrees.

Reflux Gourmet

The thing that makes Reflux Gourmet a more effective option is the alginate method it uses to relieve heartburn, which is superior to regular antacids like Tums.

Alginate therapy has proven to be more effective than antacids (like Tums), though slightly less effective than H2 blockers or PPIs that work by treating acid production. It is important to note that Reflux Gourmet is technically a supplement and not regulated by the FDA, so while the active ingredient in it is clinically recognized to be effective, the US does not regulate it like a drug.

Still, when it comes to effectiveness in a situation where both products claim to offer the same results, Reflux Gourmet is a clear winner. 

Tums

Tums are also effective at successfully neutralizing stomach acid and relieving heartburn symptoms fast. They work within 30 minutes and have been trusted by generations of people as a safe and effective drug.

According to studies, the physical barrier formed by alginates is a better solution to managing GERD symptoms than an antacid like Tums. 

Winner: Reflux Gourmet

Side Effects and Safety

It’s never a goal to find a treatment that causes other health problems, so it’s important to know what your risks are with each of these. While everyone’s system is different and could react in unique ways, there are more reported side effects with Tums than there are with Reflux Gourmet. But let’s look at overall safety for each.

Reflux Gourmet

Reflux Gourmet’s primary active ingredient, alginate, has no known side effects. It does have other ingredients, and the mix of these could cause mild bloating or constipation, or nausea in some individuals, though these side effects are rare.

As far as safety, this product is not regulated by the FDA, though sodium alginate is a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) by FDA standards. This means it doesn’t undergo rigorous safety testing like drugs regulated by the FDA (Tums) do.

With all-natural, unregulated supplements, it’s safe to approach with caution and make sure you try a small dose first to see how your body handles it. Still, this lack of known side effects and science-backed safety makes it the better option of the two.

Tums

Tums, on the other hand, are regulated by the FDA and undergo regular testing to assess safety and efficacy. This means a governmental body is keeping an eye on the quality of the product.

Safe? Maybe (aside from the talc concern). But the side effects are a different story.

Most common side effects from instructed are pretty mild, including constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, and dry mouth. But if you take more than recommended or continue use for longer than you should, you could face high blood calcium levels (Hypercalcemia), kidney issues, milk-alkali syndrome, and acid rebound.

With either of these products, you could always be allergic to one or more of the ingredients, so it’s important to consult your doctor before starting them.

Winner: Reflux Gourmet

Ease of Use

Neither of these is particularly difficult to use, though one is arguably a more pleasant experience. Tums usually come in a chewable tablet, while Reflux Gourmet offers gourmet flavored gel tubes and gum. 

Reflux Gourmet

Reflux Gourmet offers a few different products, but the most comparable one to Tums is the Rescue variety. 

Reflux Gourmet Rescue comes in two different flavors created by a professional chef: Vanilla Caramel and Mint Chocolate. The consistency is a smooth, thick-ish gel sauce that tastes really good, with no funky aftertaste. You take one teaspoon after every meal and one before bed, and it’s safe enough for daily use for an extended period of time.

The brand also offers a 100% organic version called Raft that comes in lemon ginger or berry, and a gum that comes in 

Tums

If you’ve ever taken Tums before, you know the deal. It’s usually in the form of a chalky tablet that you chew, though they also have chewy bites and “smoothies” available that are a little bit easier to stomach.

The flavored tablets come in flavors like berry, tropical, or assorted fruits, and the flavors are discernibly artificial. 

Still, if you can’t swallow pills or just hate doing it, Tums are fairly easy to take. The experience just generally isn’t a fun one, and not what many of us are looking for when our stomachs are already upset.

Just be aware that it’s advised to only take 2 at a time and not exceed 10 per 24 hours.

Winner: Reflux Gourmet

Price

Reflux Gourmet

Reflux Gourmet Rescue costs $28 for an 8-oz tube, which comes with around 47 servings of one teaspoon each. That brings the cost to about $0.60 per serving. 

Tums

Tums come in a variety of different quantities, so the price per unit can change significantly depending on how many you buy and where you’re located. An 8-pack will run you a little under $4 (around $0.50 per tablet), and the biggest bottle I could find came with 330 tablets for $17 ($0.05 per tablet).

Even in the smallest package, Tums is significantly cheaper than Reflux Gourmet.

Winner: Tums

So, Which Is Better?

Which is better depends on your personal needs and goals. In general, when it comes to side effects, effectiveness, natural ingredients, and ease of use, Reflux Gourmet is the winner. But if you’re on a tight budget or need something FDA-approved that you can pick up at your local drugstore or gas station, Tums are more accessible.