If you've ever bought a mixed berry yogurt, you already know what Reflux Raft Berry Burst tastes like. That's the short version of taste test number four in our alginate series, and it's the best-tasting one yet.
I'm Jon, founder of Travelwedge PRO. I've been working through the alginate products people with acid reflux ask about most, testing how each one behaves and how it tastes, so you can skip the guesswork. Here's how Berry Burst did.
What is an alginate?
An alginate is a naturally derived compound made from seaweed. When it meets stomach acid, it forms a gel-like "raft" that floats on top of the stomach contents.
That raft acts as a physical barrier. Instead of neutralizing acid the way a typical antacid does, it's designed to keep acid from traveling back up into your esophagus, which is what causes that familiar burning reflux discomfort.
The float test
Before tasting, I poured some Berry Burst into a glass of white vinegar. Vinegar isn't a perfect stand-in for stomach acid, but it's close enough to show what an alginate does once it's inside you.
After a few swirls, almost all of it rose to the surface. A couple of small pieces stayed at the bottom, but most of it formed a layer on top. That's exactly what you want to see.
Like the earlier tests, the floating layer looks loose in the glass, and you might wonder how it could stop anything. Keep in mind a glass of vinegar isn't a stomach. The point of the demo is simply to show that it floats, which is the property that lets it sit on top of stomach acid.
How it tastes
A one-teaspoon serving is a brown gel. It shifts a little when you tip the spoon, but it holds its shape more than you'd expect.
The flavor is very similar to a mixed berry yogurt, and so is the texture: smooth and thick, not gritty or chalky. It's not just tolerable. It's genuinely good, which is rare in this category.
Going down, I could feel it coat my throat, and it noticeably eased my reflux.
The scores
|
Category |
Score (out of 10) |
Why |
|---|---|---|
|
Taste |
8 |
Tastes like mixed berry yogurt, with a pleasant, smooth texture |
|
Effectiveness |
8 |
I've used Reflux Raft before and it works well for me |
|
Availability |
7 |
Online only; I haven't seen it in stores |
The verdict
Reflux Raft Berry Burst is a great product. It floats the way an alginate should, it works, and it tastes good enough that you won't dread taking it. The only knock is that you'll have to order it online.
You can get 15% off with code TRAVELWEDGE at refluxraft.com/TRAVELWEDGE
Pair it with better sleep positioning
An alginate raft works best alongside gravity. Sleeping with your head raised helps keep acid where it belongs, and that's harder to manage away from home.
That's why I created Travelwedge PRO, the first and only self-inflating bed wedge. It lets you sleep with your head raised wherever you are, whether that's a hotel, a guest room, or a campsite. To get your own Travelwedge PRO visit travelwedgepro.com.
Disclosure: This post reflects my personal experience and isn't medical advice. Talk to your doctor about ongoing reflux symptoms.