In fact, some studies suggest that it could causeheartburn,indigestion, andacid reflux.
In scientific terms, acids are measured on the pH scale.
The lower the pH, the more acidic a drink is.
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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 acidin the coffeethat’s the culprit.
It’s the acidin your stomach.
Drinking coffee can increase stomach acid.
But that doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have indigestion.
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.
The dark roast had higher amounts of a chemical compound called NMP.
It also had lower amounts of two other compounds known as C5HTs and chlorogenic acids (CGAs).
That means there were fewergastric juicesto bring on heartburn.
NMP alone didn’t have the same effect.
It was the balance of chemicals that made the difference.
That result makes it clear that NMP works with other compounds in coffee to lower stomach acid.
That may because it is not as easily absorbed by your body.
In a 2019 study, researchers found that adding milk to coffee did not trigger acid reflux.
Of course, milk is not a good option for everyone.
If your bodydoesn’t digest milk easily, adding dairy milk could make things worse, not better.
Try a New Variety
New coffee varieties come on the market all the time.
Double-Fermented Coffee
Coffee is typically fermented once.
After the coffee cherries are picked, they’re placed in water.
Some coffee makers add a second fermentation.
The process is sometimes called a double soak.
Coffee from Kenya is known for double-soaking.
Makers of double-fermented coffees claim that double-soaking yields a coffee thats easier on the stomach.
However, theres no evidence yet that double fermenting lowers the amount of stomach acid the stomach makes.
The final cup may or may not lower stomach acid.
Research on whether caffeine causes stomach problems has mixed results.
Still, research reviews show that drinking caffeinated coffee does not seem to increase heartburn symptoms in most people.
Trying different brands and brewing methods may be a part of finding a coffee that is easier to digest.
Summary
Coffee can cause stomach upset, heartburn, and reflux symptoms in some people.
Some coffees claim to be milder and less irritating.
Some people add milk to ease the effects.
Others prefer a decaffeinated coffee.
There’s some research to support both of these methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Around 5.
In one study, the pH level of hot-brewed coffee was between 4.85 and 5.10.
The pH of cold-brew coffee was nearly identical: from 4.96 to 5.13.
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