Can Coffee Cause Indigestion
Some people use indigestion and heartburn interchangeably, but they are different. Indigestion can have a symptom of heartburn, but it often refers to an upset stomach or stomach ache. It deals mainly with digestive problems.
Because caffeine causes increased production of acid in your stomach, it can cause your stomach to hurt. This is especially so if you dont have anything in your belly.
Drinking your coffee too fast or taking in too much air can cause your indigestion to flare up as well. Caffeine isnt the only reason coffee may cause indigestion.
Can I Drink Coffee With Gerd
You can drink coffee with GERD if you avoid the other triggers associated with heartburn.
GERD symptoms benefit from lifestyle changes like weight loss, adjusted sleep patterns, delays in between exercise and eating, and over-the-counter medications.
Many people with heartburn are still able to drink coffee in moderation without symptoms at all.
Tests And Surgery For Heartburn And Acid Reflux
If medicines do not help or your symptoms are severe, a GP may refer you to a specialist for:
- tests to find out whatâs causing your symptoms, such as a gastroscopy
- an operation on your stomach to stop acid reflux called a laparoscopic fundoplication
Page last reviewed: 09 September 2020 Next review due: 09 September 2023
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Switch To Cold Brew Coffee
The cold-brew coffee method cuts the acidity of the coffee by 67%! Cold-brew does contain more caffeine per serving , yet the lack of acidity may work better for your body!
Cold-brew uses cold water instead of hot water, which results in a different reaction with the beans.
Using this method allows you to use your preferred coffee with less acidity! You can even find pre-bottled cold brew coffee at many grocery stores. This is a simple grab-and-go option!
Coffee And Acid Reflux
When it comes to the relationship between coffee and acid reflux, things are not as obvious as it seems.
Given that coffee can be a factor for heartburn, and that can trigger the symptom alone, things are different when considering acid reflux, meaning the condition as a whole.
Since 1999 it was acknowledged that coffee has may not have such a relevant effect on reflux in GERD patients.
According to the same study, coffee had no effect at all in healthy subjects.
Given these premises, theres the need to learn more and, above all else, learn what has been ascertained in recent years.
We want to report one of the most relevant and updated studies on the matter.
It has been published in 2019, September, by the Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan.
The study represents the synthesis of many other studies and has been carried out to make the maximum clarity possible on this topic.
According to findings, drinking coffee and adding milk or sugar was not associated with reflux symptoms or erosive esophagitis.
This is good news, because of several reasons.
The most important is that coffee is not directly responsible for the occurrence of acid reflux.
Heartburn is another thing, in fact, its a symptom, and it may happen sporadically, even in people who dont suffer from reflux.
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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.
What Is Low Acid Coffee
The acid contained in coffee has meant that those with sensitive stomachs have had to steer clear of regular coffee consumption, until the advent of low acid coffee. Coffee can contain around 50 types of acids in varying concentrations low acid coffee removes these acids to create a coffee that is easy on the stomach!
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Inadvertent Low Acid Coffee
Inadvertent low acid coffee refers to coffees that are naturally low in acid. As a rule, coffee thats grown at low elevations tends to be low in acid. The soil in coffee producing nations such as Brazil, Sumatra, Peru, Guatemala, and Mexico naturally yields beans with low acid content.
Its also possible to reduce the acid content of coffee by mixing the grounds with a stomach-soothing powder. Alkalizing products like this are effective in reducing the acidity of the brew, but they do interfere with the flavor.
Grind The Coffee Beans For Cold Brewing
Most cold brew coffee recipes Ive found stress the use of coarsely ground beans. I, however, prefer finely ground coffee beans. The finer grind will extract more flavor. The only reason I can find for the coarser grounds is to prevent the coffee from becoming cloudy. I prefer taste over the coffees looks and have not found my coffee to be cloudy.
Grind enough coffee to combine water to coffee grounds at a 3:1 ratio. The amount needed will depend on the size of the container you choose for brewing your coffee. You might start with a 4 cup batch made up of 3 cups water and 1 cup coffee.
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Switch To Shade Grown Beans
Demand for coffee has exploded globally making the production of coffee a highly commercialized affair. Most of the available coffee is grown in the sun for maximum yield, which robs coffee of certain nutrients and results in highly acidic beans.
The most optimal conditions for coffee bean development are in the shade under cooler temperatures which produces a better quality bean and a smoother brew.
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Your Acid Reflux May Improve
If you’re among the one in five Americans who experience acid reflux symptoms, giving up those daily coffees may provide some relief.
“Coffee is known to relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the band of muscle between the upper stomach and the lower esophagus. When this happens, acid can reflux up into the esophagus and cause heartburn and burning, so stopping coffee may help relieve reflux symptoms,” says Galvin. And if you want to get your GERD under control, check out the 28 Best and Worst Foods for Acid Reflux.
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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
Foods That Fight Acid Reflux
For anyone with acid reflux, its probably no shock to learn that what we eat can have a significant impact on your likelihood of suffering from heartburn. Traditionally, patients have been advised to avoid acidic foods and drinks like tomatoes, citrus fruits, and coffee. Its believed that eating these foods may increase the acidity of the stomach and therefore the acidity of the contents that come in contact with the throat, exacerbating pain symptoms. Limiting these foods will not prevent acid reflux, but they may diminish the pain it causes by decreasing the acidity of the bile. In general, alcohol, peppermint, spicy food, chocolate, and fatty foods are thought to trigger heartburn symptoms and should be avoided.
Conversely, some researchers argue that eating acidic foods may actually be beneficial for those suffering from acid reflux and even recommend taking HCL, which is stomach acid. The consumption of acidic foods or HCL supplements may signal the body to slow production of hydrochloric acid, thereby decreasing the acidity levels of the stomach and acid reflux. One study found that the consumption of acidic foods successfully decreased the incidence of heartburn when coupled with a low-carbohydrate diet.
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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.
I Cut Coffee From Acid Reflux Cold Turkey Then I Cheated
So many people told me I just had to quit, that there was no other way. So I listened and put coffee in the rear-view mirror .
But I still craved coffee.
It only lasted a month. I gave in, savored a rich mug of coffee, and immediately regretted my decision afterwards.
The acid reflux came back with a vengeance.
But I knew I loved coffee too much to just quit. There had to be a better way. Surely there was something I could do.
So I started doing some research . And it started to look like Id discovered the source of my discomfort: caffeine.
Or so I thought.
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What Is Coffee Heartburn
The main reason coffee has been so closely connected with heartburn is because so many patients have complained of suffering from acid reflux and heartburn shortly after drinking coffee. Many studies have tried to determine the validity of this relationship, but as we said a moment ago, the data is highly contradictory.
This review article from 1999 sums up the reported literature relating coffee consumption with the function of the gastrointestinal system, and suggests that coffee does indeed promote gastroesophageal reflux . It also states that coffee stimulates colonic motor activity only 4 minutes after consumption, which is the reason many people have to go to the bathroom shortly after drinking a hot cup of joe .
However, this 2013 article presents the results of a large-scale study whose aim was to determine if there really was a relationship between coffee consumption and the four major disorders of the upper gastrointestinal system, including heartburn . Over 8,000 patients were studied, and the conclusion was that coffee consumption is not significantly related to the onset of either acid reflux or heartburn.
The Acidity Of Coffee Can Cause Heartburn
It isnt only the caffeine in coffee that can cause heartburn. Most common coffee blends are also very acidic and this acidity can make stomach acids active and more likely to enter the esophagus leading to heartburn. There are a couple of options if you believe the acidity of your regular brew is an issue.
Cold brewing removes much of the acidity from coffee, creating a smoother less bitter drink. Another option is shade-grown coffee these are beans grown in the shade away from direct sunshine. They take longer to grow, but the end product is a less acidic brew thats easier on the stomach.
One more option is to exercise more and lose a little weight if needed. Regular exercise counteracts the effects of heartburn, but you should avoid starting your exercise routine until youre stomachs had time to process the coffee in your system. Exercising too soon after drinking a cup of coffee can aggravate the problem. Theres no cure for heartburn, but following these guidelines will help.
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Can Coffee Cause Acid Reflux Yes 7 Ways To Avoid It
Most of the worlds population contends with acid reflux to some degree.
While some people experience a mild burning sensation in their mid-chest area after eating spicy foods, other people suffer day and/or night with serious internal burning sensations that span from stomach to throat.
Those who deal with the more constant and serious version of acid reflux often have trouble pinpointing the culinary culprit of their discomfort.
If you fall into the latter category and drink coffee, therein may lie the root cause of your acid reflux.
Even occasional heartburn can stem from a cup of java, unless the coffee in the cup is a reduced acid coffee.
How To Quit Coffee With A Reflux Specialist
Creating a plan to lessen your heartburn can take a lot of work and dedication. And sometimes its hard to do it on your own. Make the journey easier by talking to a reflux specialist here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center! Well help you create a personalized plan to pinpoint the root cause of your heartburn , and advise you on the best treatment even if that means helping you learn how to stop drinking coffee! Give us a call to set up your consultation today!
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Eat A Mediterranean Diet
Eating a more plant-based, Mediterranean-style diet may help ease heartburn symptoms as much as medication, according to new research. Researchers at New York Medical College reviewed two years of patient charts and found that those who were instructed to follow a plant-forward Mediterranean diet had the same reduction in acid reflux symptoms as those who were prescribed proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec. Lead study author Craig Zalvan, M.D., FACS, explains that, unlike animal proteins, plant-based protein is not easily broken down in the stomach often being absorbed in the intestinesand thus reduces the amount of acid that’s produced during digestion. Plus, the Mediterranean diet has ample other health benefits, including for your heart, weight and brain health. Not to mention, it’s delicious delicious.
Why Should You Not Drink Decaf Coffee
Chemicals aside, even just the process of decaffeination can be problematic. Some studies have shown a potential risk for triggering rheumatoid arthritis, says Dr. These chemicals can affect your nervous system, cause rheumatoid arthritis, and even present a cancer risk. Maybe its time to drink the real thing!
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Does Coffee Cause Heartburn
Unfortunately, it can do it.
When we talk about common causes or triggers for acid reflux, theres a rule to remember.
This is generally valid, however, coffee is one of the products that can trigger heartburn alone, without any other underlying supporting factor.
This does not mean that coffee has to be blamed for many cases of acid reflux and GERD. Well see later that things are not like so.
For the moment, the takeaway to remember is that coffee can determine the sporadic occurrence of heartburn because of its properties.
This is definitely not good for:
Its essential that people perfectly know their specific conditions to avoid mistakes.
And now, we can start considering some factors that promote heartburn when drinking coffee.
The first thing to consider is the acidic content of coffee.
How Your Healthcare Provider Can Help
If your heartburn is frequent and it is upsetting your daily life, have it evaluated by your healthcare provider. Chronic heartburn is a symptom of GERD and some other digestive disorders.
Un- and under-treated acid reflux may lead to complications, including esophageal cancer. Your healthcare provider can prescribe a treatment for heartburn or acid reflux that can reduce these risks.
If you are prescribed medication for heartburn, be sure to take your medication at the same time every day. If you are prone to forgetting, set an alarm to remind you or take your medication when you do another daily activity that you don’t forget doing, such as brushing your teeth or washing your face.
If you are taking an antacid more than once or twice a week, see your healthcare provider about modifying your treatment plan.
Heartburn Healthcare Provider Discussion Guide
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
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What About Coffee For Heartburn
Get ready for some bad news: For many people, a morning cup of coffee is a strong heartburn trigger. While theres no hard medical research that coffee causes heartburn, theres enough anecdotal evidence that its best to steer clear if you cant identify the source of your discomfort. Or cut it out for a day or two to see how your body reacts. If eliminating coffee eases your symptoms, caffeine may be a trigger. Try decaf instead or one of these caffeine alternatives.
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What Causes Heartburn
Stomach acid moving up your esophagus from the stomach is the cause of most heartburn. The muscles of the esophagus will normally relax to allow food or drink into the stomach. They will then tighten up right away to prevent movement in the opposite direction, protecting your esophagus.
When we experience heartburn, the muscle doesnt contract the way it is meant to, which can cause problems.
Also, high acidic foods can irritate the esophagus and cause a heartburn sensation. Coffee can aggravate both of these issues.
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