Is Coffee Bad for Acid Reflux? Ways to Avoid Acid Reflux While Drinking Coffee

A morning cup of coffee is the best way to start the day for millions around the world. From the smell of the coffee brewing to that first sip, all coffee drinkers have a daily routine focused around that cup of Java. Unfortunately, for some, that also means a constant battle with acid reflux. If you’re one of many that have to weigh your love of coffee against a desire to avoid the onset of acid reflux, there are solutions. Here are some little known ways that can help you avoid acid reflux when you drink that morning cup of coffee.

Coffee is Acidic

It’s the chemical makeup of coffee that can contribute to acid reflux in some – many of our favorite blends are acidic. The aroma of that first brew and the distinctive flavor of a strong cup of coffee owe a lot to the acidic nature of the coffee beans. Without the acidity, coffee would lack the bite that attracts us to the drink.

Dark Roasts are Better

If you’re constantly worrying about the acid reflux that accompanies your morning cup of coffee, it might be time to switch to a dark roast blend. Most of the top coffee chains now offer a dark roast option and these can be quite flavorful. Many coffee drinkers find their acid reflux symptoms reduce, or disappear when they opt for a dark roast.

While it may seem counterintuitive, a dark roast doesn’t have less acidity than a normal coffee bean. The acid content of a dark roast is similar to a typical blend. The difference is, they produce a chemical during brewing that prevents the buildup of acid in the stomach and that’s the reason acid reflux sufferers find it easier on their stomach.

Low Acid Coffee Alternatives

Some major coffee producers offer blends that are lower in acidity as an alternative solution to the problem of acid reflux. These coffee beans, grown at lower elevations, are naturally lower in acidity. It’s a simple solution to a common problem for many coffee drinkers. When shopping in the supermarket look for blends labeled low elevation, or ask your local coffee house if they carry a blend brewed at lower elevations.

The main complaint that many coffee drinkers have with these lower elevation blends, is that they’re not as flavorful. That’s because lower elevation beans have less acidity and it’s the acidic content that helps to give coffee its flavor.

If you don’t want to give up the flavor in your coffee there are low acidic blends that have been specially processed to maintain their flavor. These blends may be a bit more expensive, but they do retain their flavor while reducing acid reflux.

Other Solutions for Acid Reflux from Drinking Coffee

There are other solutions for avoiding acid reflux when drinking coffee. Some companies sell acid reducer tablets and you take one of these with your morning coffee. It counteracts the acidity in the coffee without reducing the flavor.

Cold brewing your coffee is another way to reduce acid reflux without reducing flavor. The process can lower the acidity levels in coffee by up to 70%. If you like your coffee hot though, this isn’t the best option.

It may seem like a strange solution, but adding eggshells to your coffee can also make the drink easier on your stomach. Eggshells are alkaline, so they neutralize the acidity of the coffee. They don’t affect the taste either once dissolved into the drink.

The ideas in this article won’t help everyone, but they work in most cases. Sometimes you may have to experiment with a few of these suggestions before you find the one that works for you. With patience and persistence, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to enjoy your morning coffee without worrying about acid reflux.

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