Everyone adores the first taste. Coffee is essential to the productivity of millions of people who can’t imagine a morning without their caffeine, whether you’re getting out of bed or getting pumped to take on another task.
However, for some people, coffee seems to exacerbate digestive problems. Studies have shown that drinking coffee has health benefits. In fact, according to some studies, it may result in acid reflux, indigestion, and heartburn. Can Coffee Cause Heartburn? The answer is Yes.
This article discusses heartburn and how to stop and prevent coffee heartburn. Learn more by reading on.
Read More: Does Coffee Make You Gain Weight?
What Is Heartburn?
Since the esophagus rather than the heart is affected, the term “heartburn” is misleading. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), through which acid from the stomach enters the esophagus and frequently travels to the throat and even the mouth, is what causes the burning sensation. In some cases, people may also feel queasy, sick to their stomachs, or have a bad taste in their mouth. Normally, when food enters the stomach, the LES opens. Acid can travel back up the esophagus and cause what is known as heartburn if it does not completely close.
The majority of people occasionally experience heartburn, which is typically brought on by specific foods. Some people may experience acid reflux more frequently as a result of their heartburn. GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) may be diagnosed when acid reflux occurs frequently, more than twice per week. While GERD may take factors like age, genetics, and anatomy into account, acid reflux is frequently controlled by changes in lifestyle. Both conditions are treatable, but GERD is more severe and can lead to more serious health problems.
The biggest factor in heartburn frequency is diet. Foods that are very acidic are much more likely to make your stomach react negatively than foods that are not acidic.
Why Does Coffee Cause Heartburn?
The statement that coffee may cause heartburn due to its acidity is made frequently, albeit perhaps oversimplified. Acidity undoubtedly has an impact. Additionally, it may be influenced by the roasting method and coffee bean quality. But there’s still something else at play: the caffeine content of coffee. Tea falls under this as well. Acidity may contribute to some reflux, but excessive caffeine intake may relax the LES and prevent it from closing completely, leading to gastroesophageal reflux. You may be drinking too much alcohol, which could be one of the causes of your heartburn after drinking coffee.
How To Stop Coffee Heartburn?
Only Drink 100% Arabica
Arabica and Robusta are the two subcategories of coffee beans, technically speaking. Each of them has a distinctive general flavor profile. Arabica typically has a lighter, sweeter flavor. Robusta coffee usually tastes more bitter and earthy. As a result of having roughly twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans, Robusta is frequently preferred. In addition to being harder and more disease resistant, the beans require less upkeep to grow. However, because Robusta beans contain significantly more caffeine than Arabica beans, it is simpler to overindulge in caffeine, which relaxes the LES and causes reflux. Controlling caffeine intake may be made simpler by drinking Arabica beans.
Limit Your Caffeine Intake
Consider limiting your intake to 1–2 cups per day if you frequently experience heartburn while drinking coffee but don’t want to give up your favorite brew. For many people, this won’t happen right away. Reduce your consumption by 50% every two days if you typically consume one pot per day. As you transition to a healthier dosage, this will help you prevent migraines. Additionally, quitting cold turkey not only has a lower success rate but can also leave you vulnerable to disappointment if your goal isn’t achieved. As a result, you find yourself starting over.
Drink Shade-grown Beans
Most of the less expensive coffee that you can buy in the supermarket is grown in the sun. A large portion of coffee is grown under less than ideal conditions due to the commercialization of coffee production and distribution brought on by increased supply and demand. Despite the fact that most coffee plants are not designed to withstand prolonged exposure to the sun’s heat, the beans grow more quickly. As a result, the overall yield is higher. Unfortunately, this means that the plant is frequently deprived of some nutrients. The beans usually have a higher acidity. You’ll get a smoother cup of coffee if you drink beans that were grown in shade.
Coconut Water
If acid is a problem, try something that will balance your pH levels. In addition to being alkaline, coconut water also has potassium, magnesium, and calcium electrolytes. As a chaser for your cup of coffee, you can simply drink it straight. Due to its higher level of hydration compared to half and a half and other milk alternatives, it has also gained popularity as a milk substitute in coffee. Since milk has a pH of about 6.8, it is promoted as a neutralizer. However, it is also referred to as acid-forming food. Despite the continued popularity of adding milk or cream to coffee, many people are experiencing health problems due to allergies or overconsumption. As an appetizing way to incorporate this into your morning coffee routine, take a look at this Coconut Water Cold Brew.
Prevent Coffee Heartburn
I hear the phrase “I can’t drink coffee because it gives me heartburn” all too frequently.” In fact, many people find that drinking coffee causes them to have acid reflux. But not all coffee is made equally! Many people mistakenly believe that all coffee causes heartburn, rather than that a particular brand of coffee causes it for a variety of very specific reasons.
It is actually quite possible to drink coffee without experiencing heartburn or acid reflux by adhering to these 3 methods for preventing coffee heartburn.
1. Prevent Coffee Heartburn By Getting A Safe Amount Of Caffeine
Overconsumption of caffeine is a significant factor in the development of acid reflux. The muscle that connects your stomach to your esophagus relaxes when you consume too much caffeine. When this occurs, a gap is made for stomach acid to enter your esophagus, resulting in acid reflux. That is really disgusting.
So how can we be certain that we are consuming a safe amount of caffeine? The majority of experts agree that 600mg (4–7 cups) per day is too much caffeine. It is suggested that some people take 200 mg, or about 2 cups, during pregnancy. A safe daily caffeine intake is 400mg, or just over 4 cups, according to Health Canada, the Canadian government’s health agency.
You can avoid coffee heartburn and enjoy a nice, hot cup of coffee without having to worry about the dreaded side effect of acid reflux by making sure the coffee you drink contains safe caffeine levels. Learn how to avoid overly caffeinated coffee by reading on.
2. Prevent Coffee Heartburn By Only Drinking Shade-grown Coffee
Did you know there was a distinction between coffee that was grown in the shade and coffee that was grown in the sun? You shouldn’t be surprised if you don’t because you don’t hear much about it. Why? Because coffee from sun-grown plants is of lower quality and costs less to produce.
To cut costs, sun-grown beans are used in a lot of grocery store coffee blends. However, direct sunlight shouldn’t be used to grow coffee. It grows more quickly when exposed to the sun’s intense rays, making it much more affordable, but it also has a higher acidity and bitterness level. The removal of soil nutrients without their replacement and soil erosion are also caused by clear-cutting the forests and planting coffee in rows like corn.
Shade-Grown beans have a lower level of acidity, which makes them much less likely to contribute to heartburn issues. To guarantee you’re getting the smoothest cup possible without the jitters and to avoid coffee heartburn, always look for coffee that is marked as Shade-Grown.
Try New Products
There are constantly new coffee varieties available. It may be worthwhile to give these varieties a try even though there isn’t much research on how they might impact digestive symptoms.
Double-fermented Coffee
Coffee usually undergoes just one fermentation. The coffee cherries are picked and then submerged in water. Bacteria in the water break down the fruit and separate it from the coffee bean. There are several health advantages to fermentation.
The second fermentation is sometimes added by coffee makers. The procedure is occasionally referred to as a “double soak.” Double-soaking is common with Kenyan coffee.
Double-soaking, according to producers of double-fermented coffees, results in a beverage that is easier on the stomach. The idea is that the second soak gets rid of the “bitter notes” and improves the consistency for those who have digestive problems.
There isn’t any proof, though, that double fermentation reduces the amount of stomach acid the stomach produces.
Green (unroasted) Coffee
A type of coffee bean that has not been roasted is known as green coffee. The CGA and NMP content of the brewed coffee won’t change if the beans aren’t first roasted. The last cup may or may not reduce stomach acid.
Green beans are said to produce a smoother cup of coffee, but it depends on the individual whether they also experience fewer symptoms.