Don’t Worry Too Much About Caffeine
It’s no secret that lots of people drink coffee for the caffeine. Research on whether caffeine causes stomach problems has mixed results.
Some studies have shown that coffee and caffeine can worsen irritable bowel syndrome , a digestive disorder that causes frequent gas, cramping, and diarrhea or constipation.
And a 2017 study suggests that caffeine’s bitter taste triggers the body to spike the production of stomach acid.
Still, research reviews show that drinking caffeinated coffee does not seem to increase heartburn symptoms in most people.
Its thought that the chemical compounds in coffee that stimulate stomach acid interact with each other no matter how much caffeine is in the coffee.
What Else Can You Drink If You Have Acid Reflux
Consuming yogurt or cold milk can help you relieve the effects of acid reflux.
Given that coffee can aggravate acid reflux, you can substitute a healthier beverage to meet your daily fluid intake needs while also relieving the effects of the backflow of acid or that burning sensation you feel.
These are drinks you can choose from that wont cause a flare-up of stomach acids:
- Plain water
- Ginger tea
- Yogurt
Its best to stay hydrated throughout the day but avoid consuming large amounts of any drink in one sitting.
Also, avoid drinking fluids late at night except for water and drink water again as soon as you awake to help your stomach neutralize the acids.
How Does A Smoothie Help With Acid Reflux
If youre going for the obvious answer of smoothies are soothing, youre sort of right. Yes, these nutrient-packed drinks definitely help soothe aching throats- a common issue in those who suffer from acid reflux. However, if the answer was that simple, then you wouldnt need a special anti-reflux energizing & healing morning smoothie recipe. Any combination of fruits, veggies, and liquids would do, theoretically.
However, as well see in a moment, thats not really the case. Some ingredients can actually make reflux worse. If you really want to prevent and soothe it, you need to choose the right ingredients. Thats where the GERD diet comes in super handy.
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So Does This Mean No Coffee
Luckily, caffeine is not proven to be the culprit here . However, the acidity in coffee is definitely guilty of causing some heartburn.
According to The American Journal of Gastroenterology, there have been no studies conducted to date showing clinical improvement in GERD symptoms or complications associated with cessation of coffee, caffeine, chocolate, spicy foods, citrus, carbonated beverages, fatty foods, or mint.
Since it is still debated on what actually triggers GERD and heartburn, it is recombined to keep a food diary. This way, you can keep track of what you eat and possible triggers that you can share with your doctor. It also doesn’t hurt to just consult with them on what changes you may need to make to reduce acid reflux.
If you want to reduce the amount of acidity being consumed when drinking coffee but can’t kick your coffee habit, try Eat Your Coffee Caffeinated Snack Bars. Because of the way EYC Bars are made, you can still have your coffee and eat it too! Plus, we have lots of tasty flavors to choose from. Fudgy Mocha Latte, Peanut Butter Mocha, and Salted Caramel Macchiato have been praised by sufferers of GERD and heartburn as being a great option to get your coffee without the burn.
Heartburn And Spicy Foods
Pepper, Mexican food, chili, and any other food that is loaded with pepper or other spices can trigger heartburn, says Deepa A. Vasudevan, MD. Vasudevan is an assistant professor of family medicine at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He tells WebMD that avoiding heartburn isn’t necessarily a matter of all or nothing. “If spicy food triggers your heartburn, avoid it. Then slowly reintroduce milder versions of whatever you like.”
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Milder On Your Stomach
No one likes an upset stomach, and less acidic coffee is milder on your stomach and less likely to aggravate an issue like acid reflux. Our stomach contains hydrochloric acid and pepsin for digestive purposes and to kill potentially harmful bacteria.
Some foods can cause the body to create more acid in the stomach, and a surplus of acid can result in acid reflux, a condition where acid rises into the esophagus and throat. For those prone to acid reflux, coffee that is less acidic is a must.
Cold Brew Is The Way To Go
Cold brew coffee is less acidic, according to a recent study published in Nature. The study states, Cold brew coffee extracts were found to have lower concentrations of acidic compounds and may be less chemically diverse than hot brew coffee extracts prepared from the same beans.
The brewing method and temperature you use to create your brew will heavily influence the acidity of the finished beverage.
The most effective brewing method for producing low acid coffee is a slow-steeped cold brew.
In fact, cold brew coffee is around 70% less acidic than a regular cup of hot coffee made from the same beans. You can make cold brew coffee in a French press check out this Roasty article to find out how to do it.
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Choose 100% Arabica Coffee
If you want to reduce heartburn without sacrificing rich taste, you may consider drinking 100% Arabica coffee.
The type of coffee beans you drink matters when it comes to heartburn.
Robusta coffee is commonly used in coffee shops. This is due to its cheaper cost and higher amount of caffeine. Robusta coffee has twice the caffeine of Arabica. Many people experience heartburn when they drink Robusta coffee, without realizing this is the reason.
Arabica beans have a more reasonable amount of caffeine. Plus, they have a delicious, rich flavor. You may pay a little bit more for these beans, but it is a win-win in taste and health benefits.
Benefits Of Ginger Tea
What are the benefits of Ginger Tea? What is Ginger Tea good for? These are the questions that pop into our minds when we look into some healthy drinks. Yes, that’s right, as I mentioned above, this tea is loaded with a lot of benefits. According to NCBI, ginger is
- Remedy to nausea and vomitting
- Helps in Indigestion
- Reduces the risk of cancer
- Anti-inflammatory
- Reduce cholestrol and improve lipid levels which helps to reduce the cardiovascular disease
According to Healthline, Ginger Tea helps with motion sickness, nausea, maintains blood sugar, weight loss, obesity-related complications, cholesterol, and heart health.
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Personal And Medical Information
Personal data, including age, gender, body mass index , and history of hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, alcohol drinking, and use of aspirin and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , were collected. The definition of alcohol drinking in our study was drinking alcohol at least once per week. The use of aspirin and an NSAID was defined as having taken these drugs in the previous 3 months. An automatic analyzer measured serum fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein , high-density lipoprotein , and triglycerides . Helicobacter pylori infection was assessed by a rapid urease test during the esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
Bonus Trick: Alkaline Water
My final recommendation is using alkaline water to make your coffee. If you didnt know, there is a scale for measuring acidity and alkalinity called pH. The higher the pH number, the more alkaline it is and the lower the number, the more acidic it is.
If you make your coffee with a more alkaline water, it will mean it is less acidic and therefore slightly less likely to cause you acid reflux. An alkaline water would be anything over a pH of 7, though ideally you would want one that is over a pH of 8. Best of luck out there with acid reflux. I know it sucks.I also know its going to be okay.
Garrett Oden
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Experiment With Brewing Methods
If your coffee is served with a side of stomach distress, switching up your brewing method may help.
You could try a cold brew coffee, which typically has less acid.
Some studies have shown that cold brew has a lower acid level than hot coffee because of the chemical reaction when hot water hits coffee grounds.
If youre used to French press-style or metal-filtered coffees, switching to high-quality paper filters may also reduce some distress over time. Paper filters remove most of the cafestol found in some coffees. Cafestol is a compound linked to increases in LDL cholesterol or the bad cholesterol.
High cholesterol and heartburn are often found in GERD sufferers, and lifestyle changes are vital in heartburn management plans.
What Should I Drink If I Have Acid Reflux
Since coffee can exacerbate the symptoms of acid reflux, you can switch to a healthier drink to get the necessary fluid intake and relieve yourself from the reflux effect.
There are multiple choices so go for the one that suits you best:
- Plain water
- Turmeric tea
Most of these varieties do contain several antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties. The active ingredients in these teas can help in protecting the stomach lining and bring an overall balance in the digestive system.
Moreover, the anti-inflammatory properties of the ingredients will help in healing the acid reflux flare-ups and swelling of the digestive tract.
However, as stated earlier not all varieties are helpful. Green tea and black tea contains tannins and can encourage the stomach to secrete acid. Well, the effect isnt as prominent as coffee and the moderate intake of these varieties rarely causes any trouble.
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Prevent Coffee Heartburn By Getting A Safe Amount Of Caffeine
A big player in the cause of acid reflux is overcaffeination. When your caffeine intake is too high, the muscle that connects the stomach to the esophagus is relaxed.1 When this happens, an opening is created for stomach acid to come up into your esophagus, which causes acid reflux. Ew! Thats pretty gross.
So how do we make sure we have a safe amount of caffeine? Most experts agree 600mg per day is overcaffeination.2 For some such as pregnant mothers, its advised to be 200mg .3 According to Health Canada the federal health department in Canada 400mg is a safe daily caffeine consumption rate.4
Tricks For Making Smoother Coffee
A few other changes in your coffee-drinking habits may relieve you of these symptoms and allow you to reap all the health benefits coffee has to offer.
- Dont drink coffee on an empty stomach.
- Limit the amount you drink to no more than 3 to 4 cups.
- Switch from creamer to low fat milk. Or use low sugar almond, soy or oat milk as a creamer.
- Use a paper filter instead of a metal filter, as paper traps more of the acids that would otherwise flow into your cup.
If heartburn, acid reflux and bloating continue to be a problem, consult with your doctor.
Drinks like matcha, green tea, black tea or kombucha contain caffeine but have different effects on the body.
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Solve The Burps With Low Acid Coffee
Youre still suffering from acid reflux and avocados arent coming to the rescue. But you dont want to give up your morning cup . No fear try choosing low acid coffee instead!
Beans with low levels of acidity can be some of the best coffees for acid reflux. Look out for darker roasts rather than bright, fruity light roasts and coffees grown at lower altitudes, too. Commodity coffee farmers often grow robusta beans at very low altitudes, and wed never recommend these bitter-tasting beans for your cup. Why not try a medium-altitude coffee instead? Look out for coffee grown at around 900 1200 m beans from Brazil or Bouma are often grown at medium altitudes.
Like cold brew? Great news! Cold brew coffee sports a low acidity thats kind to sensitive tums. Cold brew coffee can be up to 70% less acidic than its hot brewed cousins, making it great for acid reflux sufferers or those who prefer a naturally sweet taste. Or those who just want to cool down
First See If You Likely Have Reflux
The Koufman Reflux Symptom Index is a proven tool to determine if you likely have acid reflux. Note that heartburn / indigestion is just one symptom in the index .
If you have an RSI score of 15 or greater, you have a 90% chance of having reflux, even if you have never had heartburn or indigestion. This is called silent reflux, and it’s very common.
Please understand that its important to take steps if you have reflux to manage it through lifestyle changes . If you let reflux run rampant, youre setting yourself up for sleep apnea, COPD, chronic respiratory conditions, and a far higher risk of esophageal cancer.
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Does Coffee Increase Stomach Aciddoes Coffee Increase Stomach Acid
Drinking caffeinated coffee increases the amount of acid thats already in your stomach, which makes it easier for acid reflux and heartburn to take effect, Dunn explains. Coffee has its positives and negatives. But there are plenty of low-acid options you can try to counteract your symptoms, she says. Oct 8, 2021
Is Coffee Bad For Acid Reflux Ways To Avoid Acid Reflux While Drinking Coffee
A morning cup of coffee is the best way to start the day formillions around the world. From the smell of the coffee brewing to that firstsip, all coffee drinkers have a daily routine focused around that cup of Java.Unfortunately, for some, that also means a constant battle with acid reflux. Ifyoure one of many that have to weigh your love of coffee against a desire toavoid the onset of acid reflux, there are solutions. Here are some little knownways that can help you avoid acid reflux when you drink that morning cup ofcoffee.
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When To See A Doctor
Many cases of mild acid reflux can be managed at home or with OTC medication.
But if you experience any of the below symptoms, reach out to your health care provider for customized medical advice:
- Unintentional weight loss or loss of appetite
- Bloody vomit
- Difficulty swallowing that gets progressively worse
- Fatigue or weakness
- Shortness of breath, sweating, or chest pain that radiates to the neck, jaw, or arm
- Chest pain with stress or exertion
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Heartburn or acid reflux symptoms that last longer than two weeks
Trick #: Well I Actually Still Drink Decaf Coffee
It may seem stupid. Why should I even bother with coffee being decaf when it didnt help me before?Well, I prefer to take the option without the caffeine as it should only help with preventing any acid reflux, since many people do report that caffeine specifically is the problem. Id just rather be safe than sorry.
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What Gerd Is And What It Means For You
Most people experience heartburn at some point, but before you can bring it under control you have to know whats causing it. If you experience heartburn once a week or less its likely just normal acid reflux, a condition that causes stomach acid to push back up into the esophagus creating a painful burning sensation. When this happens more than twice a week, its probably something more serious known as gastroesophageal reflux disease . This can be a painful condition that can affect the quality of life of those suffering from the disease.
Trick #: Cold Brewing Coffee Can Nix The Stomach Aches
Believe it or not, the best option is cold brewing and really it is the only option for someone with more severe acid reflux like myself. The reason is that cold brewing actually reduces the acid levels of your coffee by 67%. This is a significant difference for someone with acid reflux!Its fundamentally a different process, using cold water instead of hot water and that results in some chemical changes, like lower acid. This means you can have any coffee you want from your favorite roasters, or you can buy pre-made cold brew bottles . The point with cold brewing is that youre free to use whatever beans you want.
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What Is Acid Reflux
Acid reflux refers to the condition when stomach acid flows back up into the mouth through the esophagus .
This occurs when the valve at the end of the esophagus doesnt close properly when food enters the stomach.
Gastrointestinal reflux disease , on the other hand, refers to chronic acid reflux which leads to irritation and inflammation of the lower portion of the esophagus.
So Is Coffee Really The Cause Of Acid Reflux
No! Lovely coffee wont create acid reflux or upset stomachs. Acid reflux and GERD are underlying conditions that can be triggered by a number of different foods and drinks, coffee being just one of them.
It very much depends on the individual. If your morning coffee is causing some cheeky symptoms, try a low-acidic option, some tummy-lovin alkaline foods or breaking the fast before your first first.
Plenty of solutions, so you can keep enjoying your coffee!
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Does Decaf Coffee Have Acid
However, this does not mean zero acid, because a small amount still can be found.
Strictly speaking for reflux sufferers, decaf coffee seems very good.
There is some uncertainty about the general benefits that decaf coffee can bring to the organism.
To summarize, decaf has some acid, and probably bring lower benefits for the health, if we consider a healthy individual.
If youre dealing with heartburn and reflux, however, decaffeinated coffee is an option to consider.
Moreover, the absence of caffeine could also help your mood, especially if youre an anxious person, another relevant factor for triggering reflux.
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