Don’t Worry Too Much About Acidity
Coffee contains several types of acids, but there isn’t much research to suggest that those acids are what’s causing your stomach upset.
To understand how the acids in coffee affect your body, it’s helpful to know how acid is measured. In scientific terms, acids are measured on the pH scale. The lower the pH, the more acidic a drink is. Cranberry juice, for example, has a pH of around 2.5.
Different kinds of coffee have different levels of acidity. Researchers have pegged the acidity of coffee somewhere between 4.85 and 5.13. According to some studies, hot-brewed coffee has higher amounts of acid than cold-brewed coffee.
Certain varieties of coffee are also naturally less acidic. The difference could be because they were grown at a lower elevation or were dried differently.
Here’s the key: It isn’t the acid in the coffee that’s the culprit. It’s the acid in your stomach.
Drinking coffee can increase stomach acid. But that doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have indigestion. A 2016 study found that while drinking coffee did increase stomach acid, it didn’t cause intestinal problems for the people in the study.
Some people might enjoy the taste of coffee with a lower acid content. Low-acid coffee tends to be smoother and milder than coffee with a higher acid level. However, others could miss what they describe as the brightness of a brew with its natural acidity intact.
Fine Tune Your Coffee Intake
The takeaway is to gauge how your stomach might react to regular coffee versus low acid coffee. If you love the energy from caffeine but your stomach feels bothered afterwards, whether that’s from heartburn or overall discomfort, you may need to start incorporating ââ into your daily schedule.
Not only will decaf reduce the acidity you’re ingesting, but it can also help you wean yourself off regular coffee, according to an April 2016 study published in the âJournal of Psychopharmacologyâ. And it may just provide you with that delicious taste of coffee you love.
It’s About What Works For You
Sensitivity to coffeein all its formsmay turn out to be highly personal.
While broad recommendations can be made from scientific studies, there are genetic variations that may influence how any one person reacts to the compounds in coffee.
The coffee that one person swears by and is able to drink without having heartburn may not work the same way for someone else. Trying different brands and brewing methods may be a part of finding a coffee that is easier to digest.
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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.
Lifeboost Coffee Organic Medium Roast
Lifeboost Coffee Organic Medium Roast
Our Delicious, Immune-Boosting, Low-Acid Healthy Coffee In Single Serve Coffee Pods. Non-GMO, single-origin, USDA-certified organic coffee. And, pH test proven to be up to 27.7% less acidic than common store-bought coffees.
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Lifeboost Coffees medium-roasted beans hold the number one spot on our list of low-acid coffees. Nothing is added or removed from this joe, so its low acid level is purely a result of the location and means by which it is grown.
The organic single-origin Nicaraguan coffee is also non-GMO, Fair Trade, kosher, and shade-grown* at elevations over 5,700 feet. That last descriptor is somewhat unusual, as most low-acid coffee grows at lower elevations.
Producers handpick only the best beans from coffee plants once theyre fully mature before sun-drying them at the perfect humidity level to ensure there is no mold. Finally, the beans roast slowly, creating a smooth, ultra-low-acid brew with chocolate and caramel notes and no bitter aftertaste.
We had to make sure Lifeboost Coffee is legit, so we tested a cup of the companys brew with pH strips, and it came out at six. Remember, seven is neutral on the pH scale, so this coffee wasnt too far from neutrality.
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Effect Of Caffeine On Les Pressure
Studies that measure the LES pressure after drinking coffee or some other form of caffeine intake, usually find that coffee relaxes the LES:
This study indicated that caffeine 3.5 mg/kg affected esophageal function, resulting in a decrease in basal LES pressure and distal esophageal contraction, which is known to promote the reflux of gastric contents up into the esophagus.
This suggests, that coffee might trigger acid reflux and therefore cause heartburn.
Acid Levels In Caffeinated Vs Decaf Coffee
You may be a coffee lover, but if you struggle with gastrointestinal issues or acid reflux, you may find yourself searching for low acid coffee options. Here’s how to gauge the acidity in regular and decaf coffee, and how to choose what works best for you.
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Tip
While regular coffee naturally has higher levels of acidity, decaf coffee can still contain small amounts. That being said, start incorporating decaf coffee into your diet if you love the taste but want to reduce stomach aggravation.
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What Causes Heartburn From Coffee
A lot of people associate heartburn with fatty or unhealthy foods. While this can be true, people often overlook that drinks can have a large impact on heartburn. Coffee is one of those beverages that can cause heartburn.
Drinks like coffee can have a relaxing effect on a specific muscle in the esophagus.
According to this article by NPR, this muscle is the sphincter muscle. The sphincter muscle relaxes as a result of drinking coffee. This allows stomach acid to travel up into your esophagus. Also, some coffee beans have high levels of acidity, which irritates the esophagus.
The simplest explanation is that coffee causes heartburn due to two main factors. These two factors are acidity and caffeine levels.
While your stomach can handle acid, your esophagus is more sensitive to it. Caffeine impacts your muscles and makes it easier for stomach acid to travel up the esophagus.
Coffee Acid Vs Coffee Acidity
Did you know there are around 30 different acids in coffee? No? There are, including the same ones found in vinegar and citrus fruits!
We measure acid content with the pH scale that ranges from a highly acidic zero to a completely basic 14. For context, pure water has a pH of seven, rendering it neutral. On the other hand, the acid in your stomach measures a big fat zero.
Traditional coffees come in at around five on the pH scale, making them slightly less acidic than fruit juice.
The pH scale does not measure coffees acidity levels confusing, we know. When a coffee connoisseur references coffee acidity, theyre talking about flavor notes, not acid content, as you might think.
Coffee acidity generally indicates the quality of the bean. For example, high-altitude beans might be labeled acidic because of their robust flavors, while darker roast coffees flavor profiles make them less acidic.
But dont be fooled: coffee with low acidity isnt automatically non-acidic. See the aforementioned dark roast beans as an example. Their flavors give them less acidity than light roasts, but they still contain coffee acids.
The main takeaway is that you dont have to avoid a bag of coffee grounds or whole beans merely because the word acidity is on the label.
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Easy Ways To Prevent Heartburn From Coffee
Sometimes it can be good to feel the burn. You want a burn when youâre working out, for example. But most burns arenât great: sunburn, getting burned by a friend, burning your dinner in the oven, or heartburn from coffee.
Heartburn is another type of burn we all hope to avoid. For many coffee lovers, our favorite beverage can also cause dreaded, uncomfortable heartburn. It hurts so good!
Typically, people who experience heartburn will either suffer through or say goodbye to their beloved coffee altogether.
This all or nothing approach leaves people with two choices: jeopardize their health or sacrifice the enjoyable coffee sipping experience.
Never fear, you may not have to ditch your beloved hot java just yet!
Weve packed this article with tips to help you enjoy your coffee without the nasty heartburn. Read on to learn all about the five ways you can prevent heartburn when drinking coffee.
Keep Caffeine In Check
Coffee has a pH of 5 on a scale of 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic and 14 being the most basic, indicating that it is acidic. It is, however, not as sour as many other beverages you may consume during the day. Because most fruit juices and sodas are substantially more acidic than coffee, why does a glass of apple juice not necessitate a sleeve of antacids?
Its not the acid in your morning coffee thats causing your esophagus to catch fire its the caffeine. Numerous studies have shown that coffee raises the natural acid levels in your stomach, causing heartburn.
While most people can tolerate a moderate amount of caffeine, caffeine consumption is a matter of personal sensitivity. So if youre experiencing side effects from your morning mug, it might be time to switch to a less-caffeinated blend.
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Can Decaf Coffee Benefit Heartburn Sufferers
Decaf coffee is good for you if you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux when drinking regular coffee. Caffeine increases the acidity in gastric secretions and is believed to trigger relaxation of the esophageal sphincter, leading to acid reflux or making an existing condition worse. A major decaf coffee benefit is that without caffeine, heartburn and acid-reflux flare-ups are things of the past.
When looking for the least acidic coffee option, decaf cold brew will be the best bet. This is because the colder brewing temperatures in decaf cold brew and regular cold brew help neutralize acids leading to less acid reflux and heartburn.
These are the most popular Stone Street decaf coffee flavors. However, when it comes to regular or decaf, coffee flavor doesn’t impact the acidity level. So, when choosing a decaf coffee flavor, always go with your taste buds.
Which One Is Worth Drinking
While coffee may give you your morning pick me up, caffeine can actually irritate your acid reflux and make GERD worse. While the science is sketchy and theres little concrete evidence linking GERD and caffeine consumption, there does seem to be a trend in GERD being aggravated by drinking coffee. Along with spicy food, alcohol intake, and stress, eliminating these potential triggers could help you get to the root cause.
Drinking herbal tea is a much safer option as many of these teas have soothing properties to help heal the stomach rather than irritate it. Cut down heartburn and coat your stomach in soothing goodness by skipping the coffee and turning to certain kinds of herbal tea.
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Can Coffee Cause Heartburn Here Is The Quick Answer
Coffee some just cant live without it, but some avid coffee drinkers also experience heartburn. Coffee has many positive side effects that help coffee drinkers make it throughout the day. It provides the stamina that many of us need. But there are also some downfalls of drinking coffee, especially too much is heartburn one of these?
Caffeine, the major component of many varieties of coffee and tea, is a possible trigger for heartburn. Caffeine can cause GERD symptoms because it relaxes your LES.
Its hard to pinpoint whether or not your coffee is causing heartburn or if its something else- maybe the bagel you ate along with your coffee? Or maybe its a lingering effect from last nights lasagna? But if your instincts are telling you that its the coffee, youre probably right. Read on for everything you need to know about how coffee causes heartburn and how to avoid it.
Prevent Coffee Heartburn By Only Drinking 100% Arabica Coffee
In addition to drinking shade-grown coffee, you should also consider only drinking 100% Arabica beans. So whats the difference between Arabica and regular coffee? Well, there are two types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta beans are cheaper because they grow at lower altitudes, and theyre more hardy making them resilient to pests. But, the tradeoff is Robusta beans are more bitter and contain twice the caffeine content of Arabica beans.
What does this have to do with preventing coffee heartburn? The extra caffeine in Robusta beans makes you more susceptible to acid reflux and heartburn.
So whats the solution? Drink 100% Arabica coffee youll taste and feel the difference, and wont ever want to go back to Robusta beans.
Many people give up coffee because of acid reflux and heartburn. But you dont have to! Just remember to avoid hyper-caffenation by only drinking 100% Arabica, Shade-Grown coffee.
And if you dont believe me, check out these testimonials from our customers here. Theyve discovered that Shade-Grown and Arabica beans are the solution to prevent coffee heartburn. Try our 100% Arabica and Shade Grown coffee and see if it works for you. Youll be glad you did!
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How Is Decaffeinated Coffee Made
It is thought that decaf coffee first came to light in the 1900s as an incoming shipment of coffee beans was submerged in seawater during transport, which naturally removed some caffeine.
A short time later, the trader who came across the accident made these unroasted decafbeans again by using a chemicalsolvent called benzene, a key component in gasoline and is also present in volcanoes.
Nowadays, coffee beans is much safer and not as carcinogenic. The bad news is that chemicals arent completely eliminated from the equation.
The begins with unroasted beans, which are then immersed into water for a few hours to dissolve the caffeine.
Then, it follows three main ways of the caffeine extraction process:
- The first one is that it contains those nasty chemicals. Methylene chloride is used for paint removal or ethyl acetate, utilized in nail polish remover and glue removal products. These chemicals extract caffeine from water either by mixing them into the mixture of water and coffee, getting rid of the water in the beans, or then adding the beans to the water mix. The last step is a similar procedure: evaporating the water to ensure that the flavor stays inside the beans.
- Another technique, known as the Swiss water process, employs charcoal filters to eliminate caffeine from the water. It is chemical-free.
- The third method also helps keep things free of chemicals using liquid carbon dioxide to dissolve the caffeine.
Drink Coffee Earlier In The Day
Since stomach acids tend to increase throughout the day, drinking coffee in the morning may be less likely to cause heartburn than drinking it later in the day. If you drink coffee later in the day, try to have it at least a few hours before bedtime, so youre not lying down immediately after consuming it.
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Antioxidants Make Decaf Coffee Good For You
Caffeinated and decaf coffee flavors are chock-full of antioxidants. But, if you’re not sure what antioxidants are, you’re not alone. One of the significant decaf coffee benefits is the high levels of antioxidants. It’s a buzzworthy name common in many health products, but not many people know precisely what antioxidants do.
Antioxidants inhibit the process that creates free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms in your body. Free radicals are missing an electron, so their sole purpose is to find another atom to bind with. As a result, they create total chaos inside the body. Eating a diet high in antioxidants and using skincare products with antioxidants are essential in maintaining homeostasis.
Does Decaf Coffee Cause Acid Reflux
When a person experiences the discomfort of acid reflux, a few other components come into play. While decaf coffee can provide its small share of the blame related to acid reflux, its not the main culprit.
Some studies point out that other smaller components within coffee cause acid reflux, and caffeine is not the leading cause.
After conducting a study on several patients who suffered from gastroesophageal reflux disease , researchers saw that decaffeinated coffee reduced the impact of discomfort or acidity within patients compared to when they consumed regular coffee.
Even though caffeine content may vary by roast type, you should also consider overall caffeine consumption. For example, many coffee drinkers drink several cups per day. If you find that caffeine aggravates your symptoms, you might want to opt for a darker roast.
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