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Does Caffeine Free Coffee Cause Acid Reflux?
Many individuals fear that coffee may exacerbate existing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). They worry that drinking it may aggravate their symptoms further and worsen them further.
If the stomach-ache associated with your morning cup of coffee becomes bothersome, consider switching to decaf or using an acid-reducing method instead.
Caffeine
Coffee’s acidity can irritate the esophagus lining, leading to heartburn and acid reflux symptoms. Furthermore, caffeine’s stimulating effects cause your body to increase heart rate as well as levels of other substances in blood (like adrenaline) which could increase risk of acid reflux further.
Caffeine is a naturally-occurring compound found in coffee leaves and beans as well as tea, cocoa and yerba mate; it can also be produced artificially and added to food products and supplements in lab settings. Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant which increases alertness and energy levels by acting as an alternative for adenosine; an organic compound produced naturally within your brain that locks onto receptors to produce feelings of fatigue and sleepiness.
Caffeine can fit into these receptors and act as a natural replacement, creating similar feelings of alertness. Unfortunately, however, caffeine can lead to numerous negative side effects including increased heart rate, shakiness, restlessness and insomnia – it may even cause rapid fluid loss through urine loss.
Most people find a cup or two of coffee does not induce acid reflux or GERD symptoms; in fact, coffee is less acidic than soda or orange juice. But for some individuals even decaf coffee may trigger acid reflux symptoms; this could be related to their sensitivity rather than to its acidity content.
Research has demonstrated that caffeine can weaken the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), leading to reflux. Unfortunately, no large-scale studies have demonstrated a link between eliminating caffeine from diets and improved GERD symptoms or outcomes; furthermore it must be remembered that simply avoiding caffeinated products does not always guarantee protection as individuals can be sensitive to certain chemicals within coffee itself.
Acidity
Your stomach relies on acid to digest food, but when that acid seeps into the tube that connects your throat and stomach it can create an uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest – known as heartburn. Occasional episodes of heartburn should not cause concern, while more frequent incidents could indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid reflux symptoms can usually be managed with lifestyle adjustments like eating smaller meals more frequently while limiting consumption of fatty or fried foods and drinking decaf coffee may help relieve its effects in some individuals.
Coffee contains chlorogenic acid, which has the power to both decrease acidity and increase absorption of nutrients like antioxidants, making decaf coffee an ideal option for those suffering from acid reflux. Unfortunately, decaf coffee still contains some acidity which could cause digestive discomfort for sensitive stomachs.
Acid from your stomach entering the esophagus can irritate and damage its lining, causing heartburn – an uncomfortable burning sensation felt in the chest that doctors refer to. Acid reflux typically occurs when the muscle between stomach and esophagus becomes weak or relaxes when it should remain closed; it also frequently happens with large meals eaten quickly before lying down, pregnancy and overeating.
Coffee, tea, carbonated energy drinks, sodas and alcoholic beverages can all trigger acid reflux symptoms by stimulating your stomach’s production of more acid and leading to weakened or relaxed LES muscles, worsening heartburn symptoms.
When living with acid reflux, you should limit or avoid eating and drinking anything that exacerbates it, such as fried or fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint and mint-flavored products, which experts believe may weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), making leakage of heartburn more likely. If you are struggling with heartburn symptoms, seek advice from either your physician or registered dietitian regarding an appropriate diet plan including low-acid food options and beverages.
Preparation
Some people seeking relief from acid reflux find relief in switching to lower acid coffee, although this should not be seen as the sole solution — other factors could also be at play here.
As it appears to be more than just acid in coffee that causes heartburn symptoms for those living with GERD, bitterness and other components also contribute to an increase in stomach acid production. Furthermore, certain soluble compounds — including chlorogenic acid, pyrogallol, N-alkanoyl-hydroxytryptamide and catechol — may cause your stomach to produce too much acid that moves up your esophagus. To limit irritation further try using a paper filter or adding milk (proteins can bind onto certain compounds thus making your beverage less irritating – almond or coconut varieties may even better).
Symptoms
Coffee is often considered the highlight of their morning, but for those suffering from acid reflux it can cause symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation. Luckily there are ways to manage acid reflux without giving up their daily cup.
Coffee’s caffeine can be the culprit behind acid reflux. Studies have demonstrated its effect on weakening lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LES), the valve that keeps stomach contents from rising back up into the esophagus, possibly by stimulating gastric secretions; so if you suffer from acid reflux it may be best to opt for decaffeinated coffee instead of caffeinated ones.
Coffee contains other ingredients that can lead to acid reflux, including fat and sugar. High-fat foods may be hard for your stomach to digest, causing an increase in stomach acid. Fatty cuts of meat may also trigger flare-ups as can dairy products like milk and ice cream. Eating large meals right before bed can amplify these flare-ups as your body struggles to process all that food properly in its entirety while sleeping.
Carbonated beverages may trigger acid reflux because they relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and allow more stomach acid into your esophagus. Therefore, noncarbonated drinks like herbal tea, low fat milk, coconut water or nonacidic juices may be more suitable as alternatives.
If you find that certain kinds of coffee produce acid reflux symptoms for you, try eliminating those foods to see if your symptoms improve. If they persist, decaffeinated coffee might be better as an option or finding another beverage which doesn’t trigger acid reflux could also help.
If your acid reflux symptoms continue, speak to a healthcare provider. They may suggest beverages like unsweetened iced tea, low-fat milk and nonacidic fruit smoothies as potential solutions. Dietary changes alone might not do the trick so over-the-counter antacids may also help. These medications are available from any pharmacy or drugstore nearby.