Coffee drinkers with stomach issues shouldn’t need to go without their morning cup of Joe, thanks to brands that roast their beans so as to be low acid and gentle on the stomach.

We conducted an examination of total titratable acidity (TA) to ascertain acid concentrations in lighter, medium, and dark-roasted coffee samples. We discovered that TA correlates more closely with perceived sourness than pH does.

Heartburn

Many people consider coffee an essential part of their morning ritual, while for those living with heartburn it may help ease symptoms by choosing acid free coffee instead. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid irritates the lining of the esophagus; common triggers include fatty and fried foods, chocolate, alcohol and carbonated beverages; in rare instances it can even be brought on by stress and tight clothing that puts pressure on their abdomens.

Coffee may worsen GERD symptoms for people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), since its acid can stimulate their stomach to produce even more acid than it normally would and relax or weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), leading to back up of stomach acid into their esophagus.

Acid reflux can also be caused by eating large meals, not chewing properly and not waiting enough time between meals, or by repeatedly bending over or lying down after eating which puts an undue burden on the stomach.

To reduce acid reflux risk, some individuals choose to drink low acid coffee that has been prepared using cold brew techniques over a longer time without heating. Cold brew coffee has particular effectiveness because it can be prepared without acid due to being brewed at lower temperatures for extended periods of time compared with hot coffee brewing methods.

Many low-acid coffee options come from countries known for producing beans that are lower in acid, such as Mexico and Sumatra. Dark roasts also tend to be less acidic than lighter varieties.

Controlling acid reflux can be challenging and it can be hard to forgoing coffee altogether, but an option such as Puroast Low Acid House Blend may offer the benefits of a healthy habit while alleviating acid reflux symptoms. With 70% less acid than standard coffee options, this low acid option may be an ideal way to ease acid reflux discomfort and relieve indigestion symptoms.

Bloating

Bloating is the sensation of having an uncomfortable full stomach or tight abdomen caused by excess gas in your digestive system, often caused by poor digestion or food intolerances, stress hormones or coffee consumption causing additional gas production leading to distended abdominal fluid and bloating (2-3). Coffee in particular may stimulate gastrointestinal muscles that speed up food breakdown leading to pockets of air being produced that lead to distended belly syndrome (2, 3).

Though it’s impossible to completely avoid acidic foods, switching your regular coffee for one with less acid may help ease symptoms like heartburn and bloating. Eating light meals before drinking your morning cup of java can also help minimize its acidic impact on your stomach; and some have found that espresso and French press coffees tend to have less of an acidic impact than drip brewing methods (4, 5). Water intake also plays a vital role in healthy digestion and relieving stomach-related discomfort caused by acidity in food sources like coffee (5).

Acidity levels of coffee may depend on many different factors, including where and at what elevation they were grown before being harvested and processed. Fully washed beans produce milder flavors than those containing mucilage (which adds sweet and fruity notes to beverages). Roasting can also have an effect on acidity; generally speaking, darker roasts tend to have less acidity due to organic acids being burned off during roasting (Sean 6& 7). Puroast coffee’s low acidity rating means it will be roasted to sit above 5.5, making it gentler on your stomach than many other brews (8, 9). Plus, being certified Fair Trade, organic and free from artificial sweeteners make this an excellent option for anyone with sensitive stomach or digestive issues (8, 9).

Teeth Damage

Your teeth’s enamel is composed of 96 percent mineral and is one of the hardest substances in your body. Unfortunately, however, its protective layers can become worn down over time by acidic foods and beverages; once this happens it leaves you vulnerable to cavities and other serious dental problems.

Coffee, sodas, fruit juices and other acidic drinks erode tooth enamel, leaving it weaker and more vulnerable to damage and decay. Combine acid with sugar for the ultimate recipe for tooth erosion and cavities! Limiting how much highly acidic food and drinks you consume may be helpful in protecting against erosion and cavities.

As a frequent coffee consumer, you should be aware that your teeth may be more susceptible to staining than non-coffee drinkers due to coffee’s dark pigments staining your enamel over time if left unrinsed properly. To combat this effect, brush after drinking coffee and rinse your mouth out thoroughly with water to wash away acids present. Wait 30 minutes after sipping so your enamel has time to harden back up before brushing again for maximum effectiveness.

If you can’t give up coffee altogether, try drinking it over an extended period rather than in smaller doses throughout the day. This gives your enamel time to recover between cups while limiting acid damage to your teeth.

Be mindful when eating or drinking acidic foods or drinks before drinking coffee, such as orange juice, soda pop or lemonade. Their acids will soften your enamel, making room for tannins from coffee to seep into all corners and crannies of your teeth and cause stains – further damaging enamel over time.

One way to protect your enamel is to sip coffee through a straw, as this directs it towards the back of your mouth where saliva has less exposure to acidic beverages. Finally, chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol as an ingredient can also help decrease acid levels while stimulating saliva production and increasing saliva flow.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant drug found in various plant leaves, beans or nuts and is produced through chemical processing of these components. Caffeine works by blocking binding sites for neurotransmitter adenosine which reduces sleepiness; caffeine can also be found in tea, guarana berries, cocoa beans and cocoa nibs. When taken in high quantities it may cause jitters or nerves and contribute to heartburn or acid reflux symptoms.

There are some effective strategies available to you in order to reduce the acid content in coffee and avoid stomach upset, including adding milk or cream and selecting low acid beans from regions and elevations with which they were grown and harvested. Furthermore, light roast beans tend to contain less acidity.

When searching for low acid coffee, look for options roasted in small batches at family-run facilities and selected for optimal flavor. These small batch varieties are specifically made for easy digestion; many even incorporate sustainable farming practices and eco-friendly processes. A great example is Tyler’s Coffee which utilizes an exclusive roasting process designed to lower acid content while simultaneously increasing antioxidant levels in their beans.

Tyler’s Coffee is designed to be gentle on your stomach. Its organic certification means it was grown without using pesticides or synthetic fertilizers in its growth or processing, further soothing acid reflux sufferers.

Decaf coffee offers another way to reduce acidity levels in your coffee, with significantly less acidic levels than its caffeinated counterparts and is therefore considered suitable for those suffering from acid reflux. Indeed, Cleveland Clinic advises choosing decaf when on an acid reflux diet – however keep in mind that decaf does not provide as many energy-boosting benefits as coffee; thus drink decaf only occasionally and in moderation!