There’s no better way to start a workday morning for many than a nice cup of coffee. It helps you shake off the cobwebs and get ready for the busy day ahead. That’s a good thing for most of us, but coffee can also cause some minor health issues for some. If you find you’re suffering from indigestion on a regular basis in the morning, it may be that morning coffee that’s causing the problem. So does coffee cause indigestion? There is some compelling evidence that suggests it can.
So what is Indigestion?
If you’ve ever suffered from bloating and discomfort caused by excess gas then you know what indigestion feels like. It can also be accompanied by heartburn and diarrhea in some cases. We usually experience indigestion after a large meal or after eating spicy foods, but drinking coffee can also trigger the symptoms of indigestion.
Why Does Coffee Cause Indigestion?
Coffee activates your colon – that causes more frequent contractions and creates excessive gas as food moves more quickly through the digestive tract. The reason coffee causes more gas as it moves through the body, is because there’s a lot of acidity in coffee. It’s these acids that react with the stomach that leads to indigestion.
It May Be GERD
If you find you’re suffering from indigestion more than once or twice a week when drinking coffee it may an indication of something a bit more serious. People who experience frequent acid reflux along with indigestion may have more serious issues. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition with similar symptoms, but it can be quite debilitating for anyone that suffers from the disease. In most cases, it requires switching to a strict diet and possibly eliminating coffee from the daily routine.
How to Avoid Indigestion When Drinking Coffee
The majority of people that experience indigestion shortly after drinking coffee are not suffering from GERD. For some simple indigestion, there are many things you can do that can minimize the frequency of symptoms.
The key to preventing coffee from causing indigestion is moderation. Most experts agree that we should drink a maximum of 400 mg of coffee a day or 2 to 4 cups. This is a guideline of course – some will have a higher tolerance while others may experience negative symptoms after just 1 cup.
The best approach is to reduce the amount of coffee you’re drinking daily gradually until you get to a point where you can enjoy your favorite morning beverage without any issues. Drinking coffee in moderation will rarely cause indigestion, but if it does there may be other reasons for your troubles.
Other Dietary Causes of Indigestion
If you drink no more than 1 cup of coffee in the morning and you’re still experiencing indigestion you may want to take a closer look at other causes. Caffeine may be part of the problem and it’s found in many sources other than coffee. There’s caffeine in chocolate, tea, some ice cream flavors, hot cocoa and many soft drinks. Reducing the amount of coffee you drink won’t help to eliminate your indigestion if you’re also over indulging some of these other foods and beverages. The best way to avoid indigestion when drinking coffee is to pay close attention to all aspects of your diet.