Why does coffee upset your stomach?
Do you adore coffee but find that it makes you feel lousy? Many studies have found that caffeine has positive effects like reducing the risk of cancer, improving metabolism, safeguarding the liver, and strengthening the immune system. However, some individuals may also experience undesired side effects from drinking coffee, such as causing digestive distress.
Coffee can have an effect on gastrointestinal problems and conditions of the stomach and esophagus. The two biggest contributors of coffee are caffeine and acid. Let’s take a quick look at why this is true. Then, I will give you some solutions to address these difficulties and significantly improve your coffee experience.
Can coffee affect your stomach?
Drinking coffee is a global phenomenon that not only helps one stay more focused and in better spirits, but is likely to also improve their physical and mental fitness. Athletes are familiar with the impact that caffeine has on the central nervous system and the improvement to mental functioning that it can provide. In certain situations, consuming coffee may have an adverse result on digestive systems. Coffee and stomach acid can be related. What are coffee-related digestive issues? Lets talk about it.
Impact of caffeine and stimulants on your digestive tract
Drinking an excessive amount of coffee or caffeine on an empty stomach can enhance one’s likelihood of having a bowel movement. Here’s why. Caffeine boosts the strength of your stomach muscles by expanding its size. It is called “Peristalitis”. Some individuals consume coffee or caffeine to enhance their bowel movement due to the added benefits.
Caffeine is also known to be a diuretic, which can present an issue when it’s utilized for physical activity or as a means of dehydration. Here’s why. Caffeine has the effect of increasing the amount of liquid that passes through the kidneys, resulting in a greater quantity of urine being expelled. Increasing urine is associated with dehydration causing constipation.
Your stomach is sensitive to coffee’s caffeine
As already stated, there are two main factors that can cause people to be sensitive to coffee; caffeine and acidity. The caffeine in your morning cup of joe stimulates your gastrointestinal system to create an acidic response. Despite caffeine’s potential to reduce dietary acidity, drinking coffee may elevate the acidity level in one’s diet. The laxative effects of this substance lead to improved digestion in the digestive tract. It appears that your system is attempting to locate caffeine with the utmost expediency. This may appear strange, but it seems like it is true and can create difficulties for those who consume coffee. So let’s continue:
Can caffeine cause stomach problems?
Some individuals recognize that caffeine consumption can generate gastrointestinal challenges in their digestion. Subsequently, typical manifestations such as nausea and digestive issues become more severe. Caffeine isn’t the only factor behind the uncomfortable effects of coffee drinking–the beverage also has an acidic quality which can lead to an inflamed stomach and spasms. Let’s look at coffee’s acidity.
Is coffee more acidic than stomach acid?
Coffee is substantially less acidic than your stomach. The pH of the average stomach is usually 2.5 while brewed coffee is not as acidic with a pH of 4.5 to 4.8. Here is how it works.
Acidity
Regularly drinking coffee can lead to indigestion and feeling queasy due to its acidic nature. The acidity of the coffee can be determined to be in between 4.5 to 4.8 on the pH scale. A lower pH level means more acid. Water has 7 pH level and is considered neutral. Substances with a pH level lower than 2.5, like stomach acid and lemons, are considered more acidic. This can be seen from looking at the chart provided.
The level of acidity in coffee usually ties back to how the beans were roasted and changes the levels of quinic, citric, and chlorogenic acid present. When coffee is consumed, it stimulates the production of gastric acid and increases its synthesis. This causes stomach pain and stomach irritation.
Your stomach is sensitive to coffee acid
Excessive amounts of gastric juice can be detrimental to one’s health, and can cause irritation to the digestive system, leading to an upset stomach. Several issues could be making a person feel queasy, experience burping, or be feeling generally uncomfortable. Even though thought to be mild issues, these can be very irritating and become annoying to deal with. It is said that a good number of individuals allege to have upset stomachs from consuming coffee, which is also referred to as reflux. Not having food in your belly can cause your stomach to become unsettled if you consume too much coffee.
What are common sources?
Various plants contain energizing elements, such as coffee beans, tea leaves, and cocoa nuts. Various edibles such as coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate contain it. Caffeine is also included as an ingredient in various food and beverage products, like energy drinks, gum, confections, and so on. Even so, caffeinated coffee is by far the most consumed. Unlike cocoa and tea, coffee which contains caffeine has an acidic make-up as well.
Is coffee a low acid food?
Most coffee roasted in America currently is highly acidic. We should bear in mind that although the vast majority of coffee drinkers have no issue with it, physiological responses and sensitivity to things can alter as one gets older. Right now, many individuals are not facing difficulties relating to their coffee consumption, but this can become an issue in the future. Specifically, certain drinkers can have adverse effects on their GI health, leading to heartburn and making IBS worse, as well as irritating pre-extant medical concerns.
Let’s examine some approaches relating to coffee, I refer to them as making and purchasing. How to brew and what to brew. Let us remember that we all have our own individual differences.
It’s about what works for you
Sensitivities about coffee are sometimes very personal. It is valuable to have scientific research, however individual genetics may affect an individual’s sensitivity to the caffeine and pH of certain substances. It might be different for everyone who enjoys coffee. Experimenting with various types and techniques of making coffee can aid digestion. I trust you will find information helpful.
How do I brew coffee that doesn’t irritate my stomach?
Research has indicated that drinking coffee is a healthy option for some people, however, for others it can have adverse effects.
issues in the GI tract. For some, drinking coffee may cause heartburn, reflux, or indigestion. Some people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may have adverse reactions to drinking coffee.
Some people who drink coffee may experience a laxative effect and even more serious complications. Some roasters have begun roasting coffee that has a high acidity level. I will be offering you some practical strategies to assist with alleviating stomach problems and distress.
Adding Milk or Sugar
Some people who consume coffee may attempt to alleviate their issues with its taste by adding milk or sugar to it. The issue with utilizing that strategy is that some individuals cannot have dairy, while others may have diabetes and prefer to drink their coffee without any added ingredients. No need to concern yourself; there is a better alternative than drinking black coffee without any sweeteners, dairy or other additives that can cause ailments related to digestion and irritation in the stomach lining.
7 Gut-Friendly Coffee Alternatives
1. Chicory Root
At the top of the list of beverages that are beneficial for gut health is chicory root. Chicory has a taste which is more on the bitter side, making it a viable alternative to coffee. This beverage does not contain caffeine, preventing any potential negative reactions like trembling, tension, or an increased heart rate.
In general, reducing intake of stimulants such as coffee can help to stabilize blood sugar, balance the hormones released when stressed, and prevent one from feeling jumpy or troubled.
Chicory root includes a copious amount of inulin, a kind of dissolvable fiber that assists digestion, nourishes the beneficial microbes in your intestinal tract, and lessens swelling.
Making chicory coffee is super simple. It is possible to make this type of coffee using the same techniques as with regular coffee, both hot and cold.
2. Green and Matcha Tea
Green tea is derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, and is prepared by steeping the leaves. Matcha is just powdered green tea leaves.
Green tea and matcha tea are both great options if you’re looking for a healthier substitute for coffee. Both of them are beneficial for your digestive system. Key benefits include:
- Promoting healthy gut bacteria
- Disrupting the growth of disease-causing bacteria
- Improving the diversity of your gut microbiome
It’s been speculated that EGCG, a component of the green tea plant, may have remarkable anti-inflammatory properties. A research project discovered that people who ingested a supplement containing EGCG each day for two months experienced a 58% raising of ulcerative colitis signs.
3. Black Tea
It is often claimed that black tea is an excellent option to replace coffee for those with IBS. The good news is that decaffeinated coffee only has about half the caffeine content compared to regular coffee.
Polyphenols, which are a type of natural micronutrient found in plants, can support a healthy digestive system by promoting the development of beneficial bacteria, and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria like Salmonella.
Black tea has antimicrobial abilities that help cleanse the body of any deleterious elements and further protects the immune system by rehabilitating the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Ginger Tea
Ginger is a great choice for those looking for a coffee alternative that is both scrumptious and beneficial for your digestion. Ginger is renowned for its calming effects on nausea, yet it also helps with indigestion and staving off gas and bloating.
Gingerols, a significant plant nutrient found in ginger, has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial abilities which are beneficial for a healthy gut microbiome. Research exists suggesting that ginger could be more efficient than certain drugs at relieving morning sickness during pregnancy.
I’d say the most important advantage of all concerns dealing with acid reflux. Ginger has been demonstrated to lessen irritation and decrease the odds of stomach corrosive climbing into the throat, making it an incredible regular coffee substitute for acid reflux.
5. Hot Lemon Water
This is an ideal drink for those looking for an invigorating and nourishing hot beverage instead of coffee. It can be created rapidly and with only two components, but brimming with a large number of vitamins (especially vitamin C), minerals, and antioxidants.
Ingesting hot lemon water not just helps to bolster your immune system and a good gut, however it can even have beneficial impacts on your skin. Lemon water replicates the acidity levels of your stomach. Drinking a pleasant, invigorating beverage encourages your body to produce more bile, allowing your digestive system to keep working efficiently.
6. Kombucha
This gut-friendly coffee substitute is so delicious that you won’t even really feel like you’re missing out on anything in comparison to your usual coffee.
Kombucha is a tea-based beverage that has been through fermentation, originally from Northeast China. Kombucha often contains Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, both of which are known for supporting a robust gut bacteria population and a considerable variety of microbiome microorganisms.
The advantages for digestion come from the fermentation process which is how the product is produced. Similar to kimchi and sauerkraut, kombucha has live probiotic organisms present in it that can fortify the protective layer in your digestive tract.
If you are in the market for a refreshing morning beverage, Kombucha is an excellent alternative for iced coffee.
7. Licorice Root Tea
The final beverage that’s beneficial to digestion in our selection (and definitely not to be overlooked) is licorice root tea.
Consuming licorice tea augments the slimy layer wrapping your esophagus, providing safety from the acidic material that ascends from the stomach. Therefore, licorice tea is an ideal substitute for coffee for people suffering from GERD and acid reflux.
It can be beneficial in alleviating gastrointestinal ailments like indigestion, vomiting, flatulence, and swelling. Licorice tea doesn’t just taste great, it can also help reduce inflammation, eliminate microorganisms, build immunity and help prevent colds or the flu.
Enjoy Your Morning With a Refreshing Coffee Alternative
There’s no point in struggling with aching stomach issues such as nausea, constipation, jitters, and uneasiness, or that nasty feeling of heartburn…when all you want is to have a cup of coffee.
If you have difficulty tolerating coffee, there are lots of gut-friendly beverages you can consume in the morning or anytime in the day for a delightful and healthy drink.
Brew some chicory root coffee that can be heated up or cold-brewed, sip some green tea to help with ulcerative colitis symptoms, or make some hot lemon water to ease a sore throat, aid in digestion, and reinforce a good stomach, all simultaneously.
If you have difficulty tolerating coffee, that could be an indication of other things. Have a look at our blog article concerning typical food allergies and how probiotics can help you to cope with them.