From the Guidelines
Coffee can exacerbate gastrointestinal problems in some individuals, so it's recommended to limit or avoid coffee if you experience digestive discomfort. According to the American Gastroenterological Association medical position statement on the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease 1, lifestyle modifications such as avoidance of foods that may precipitate reflux, including coffee, are recommended for patients with GERD.
Some key points to consider:
- Coffee stimulates gastric acid production and can increase gut motility, which may lead to symptoms like heartburn, acid reflux, or diarrhea in sensitive individuals, as noted in the British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines on the management of irritable bowel syndrome 1.
- For those with acid reflux or GERD, it's best to avoid coffee altogether or limit it to occasional consumption, as suggested by the American Gastroenterological Association 1.
- If you enjoy coffee and don't want to give it up entirely, try reducing your intake to 1-2 cups per day and avoid drinking it on an empty stomach, and opt for low-acid or cold brew coffee, which may be gentler on the stomach.
- If you experience persistent gastrointestinal issues, consider eliminating coffee for 2-4 weeks and gradually reintroduce it to assess its impact on your symptoms, as recommended by general medical principles.
- Alternatively, you can try decaf coffee or herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint, which may have soothing effects on the digestive system, as noted in various studies on the health effects of herbal teas 1.
- Remember to stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to support overall gut health, and if symptoms persist or worsen, consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and potential treatment options.
From the Research
Relationship Between Coffee Ingestion and Gastrointestinal Problems
The relationship between coffee ingestion and gastrointestinal (GI) problems is complex and has been studied in various research papers.
- Coffee ingestion has been associated with an increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.34 for women with the highest intake of coffee compared to those with the lowest intake 2.
- The literature suggests that coffee promotes gastro-oesophageal reflux, but is not associated with dyspepsia, and stimulates gallbladder contraction and colonic motor activity 3.
- Postprandial coffee intake has been shown to enhance gastric emptying, suggesting the potential use of coffee in clinical settings for patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders 4.
- However, another study found that coffee had no important effect on gastro-oesophageal acid reflux in patients with reflux disease and no effect at all in healthy subjects 5.
- Moderate coffee consumption has been reported to have beneficial effects on gut microbiota, increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial phyla and decreasing the abundance of harmful bacteria, as well as increasing gut microbiota diversity 6.
Effects of Coffee on Gut Microbiota and Bowel Functions
- The effects of coffee on gut microbiota and bowel functions have been studied, with moderate consumption (<4 cups a day) showing beneficial effects on oral and gut microbiota and motility function 6.
- Excessive coffee intake (>5 cups a day) has been implicated in reflux disorders, periodontal diseases, and progression of Crohn's disease 6.
- The relationship between coffee ingestion and GI problems may be influenced by the amount of coffee consumed, with moderate consumption having different effects than excessive consumption.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between coffee ingestion and GI problems, as there are many conflicting results regarding the impacts of coffee in the gastrointestinal tract 6.