New research has identified a link between carbonated soft drink consumption and nighttime heartburn, a result of the carbonated soft drinks' high acidity level.

A team from the University of Arizona, in a study summarized in the May issue of the journal Chest, found soda and benzodiazepines can cause reflux into the esophagus so severe it disrupts sleep on a regular basis.

The team 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 gathered information on other patient demographics, sleep abnormalities, medical history and social habits. A total of 3,806 people reported experiencing heartburn during sleep.

The results identify a link between carbonated soft drink consumption and nighttime heartburn, a result of the carbonated soft drinks' high acidity level.