Reasons for Stomach Discomfort After Drinking Coffee - Avoiding Coffee Acidity and Relieving Gastric Discomfort

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world.

It not only helps you feel more alert but may also offer many other benefits, including improved mood, mental performance, and athletic performance, as well as reduced risk of heart disease and Alzheimer's. However, some people find that drinking coffee affects their digestive system. Why does your stomach gurgle continuously and feel uncomfortable after drinking coffee?

Why Coffee Causes Stomach Discomfort

Today, FrontStreet Coffee will explore with everyone the reasons why coffee makes your stomach uncomfortable.

Coffee contains several compounds that may cause stomach discomfort.

Caffeine is a natural stimulant in coffee that helps you stay alert.

Coffee contains several compounds that may cause stomach discomfort, such as caffeine and coffee acids. Additionally, common additives like milk, cream, sugar, or sweeteners may also make your stomach uncomfortable.

An 8-ounce (240 ml) cup of coffee contains approximately 95 mg of caffeine.

While caffeine is a potent psychoactive stimulant, research shows it can increase the frequency of contractions throughout your digestive tract. For example, an earlier 1998 study found that caffeinated coffee stimulated the colon 23% more than decaffeinated coffee and 60% more than water. This indicates that caffeine significantly stimulates your lower intestine.

Additionally, some studies suggest that caffeine may increase stomach acid production, which can make your stomach uncomfortable if it's particularly sensitive.

Coffee Acids

While caffeine is often considered the reason coffee can cause stomach problems, research shows that coffee acids may also play a role.

Coffee contains many acids, such as chlorogenic acid and N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamine, which have been shown to increase stomach acid production. Stomach acid helps break down food so it can pass through your intestines. That being said, while some people report that coffee may worsen heartburn symptoms, research remains inconclusive and has not shown a significant connection.

Other Additives

In some cases, coffee itself isn't what makes your stomach uncomfortable.

In fact, stomach discomfort may be caused by additives like milk, cream, sweeteners, or sugar, which more than two-thirds of Americans add to their coffee.

Does Decaffeinated Coffee Cause Stomach Discomfort?

In some cases, switching to decaffeinated may help alleviate stomach discomfort.

This mainly applies when caffeine is the main culprit causing stomach problems.

That said, decaffeinated coffee still contains coffee acids like chlorogenic acid and N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamine, which are associated with increased stomach acid production and intestinal contractions. Additionally, adding milk, cream, sugar, or sweeteners to decaffeinated coffee may cause stomach problems in people sensitive to these additives.

Tips to Avoid Stomach Discomfort

If you find that coffee makes your stomach uncomfortable, there are several things you can do to reduce its effects so you can enjoy a cup of coffee. First, drinking coffee slowly in small sips may make your stomach more comfortable. Additionally, try to avoid drinking coffee on an empty stomach. Coffee is considered acidic, so drinking it with food can ease its digestion.

Here are several other ways to reduce coffee acidity:

• Choose darker roasts. One study found that coffee beans roasted longer and at higher temperatures have lower acidity, meaning darker roasted coffee beans tend to be less acidic than light roasts.
• Try cold brew or iced drip coffee. Studies show that cold brew coffee is less acidic than hot coffee.
• Choose coarser grinds. One study found that finer coffee grounds may extract more acid during the brewing process.

Additionally, if you enjoy coffee with milk but have lactose intolerance or find milk uncomfortable, try switching to plant-based milk alternatives, such as soy milk or almond milk.

While coffee contains several compounds that may make your stomach uncomfortable, including caffeine, coffee acids, and other additives like milk, cream, sugar, and sweeteners, many of these compounds are also present in decaffeinated coffee, except for caffeine.

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