You’re standing in your kitchen, the smell of dark roast filling the air, and your chest already starts to tighten in anticipation. It’s that familiar, stinging burn. Heartburn. If you’ve ever wondered can drinking coffee cause acid reflux, you aren't alone, but the answer is a lot more annoying than a simple "yes" or "no." It’s complicated.
Coffee is basically a ritual for most of us. We need it. But for a huge chunk of the population, that morning cup feels like swallowing a battery. Why does a bean that grows on a bush cause so much internal chaos? Honestly, it comes down to how your anatomy reacts to two specific things: caffeine and the natural acids found in the brew itself.
The Physics of the Burn
Think of your esophagus like a one-way street. At the bottom, there’s a little muscular ring called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, or the LES. Its only job is to stay shut so your stomach acid doesn't go climbing back up your throat.
Caffeine is a relaxant.
When you drink caffeinated coffee, that LES muscle gets a bit too "relaxed" and lazy. It stops closing tightly. This creates a literal physical opening for gastric acid to splash up into your esophagus, which—unlike your stomach—doesn't have a protective lining. That’s the "reflux" part. It’s basically a plumbing failure triggered by a chemical.
But wait.
Some people drink decaf and still feel like their chest is on fire. That’s because caffeine isn't the only culprit here. Coffee is naturally acidic, usually sitting at a pH of around 4.85 to 5.10. While that’s less acidic than soda or lemon juice, it’s enough to stimulate the production of even more gastrin in your stomach. Gastrin is the hormone that tells your stomach to pump out more acid. So, you’re not just relaxing the "door" to your throat; you’re also filling the "room" with more liquid than it can hold.
💡 You might also like: How to Treat Uneven Skin Tone Without Wasting a Fortune on TikTok Trends
Dark Roast vs. Light Roast: The Great Debate
There is a huge misconception that darker roasts are harsher on the stomach. It feels true, right? They taste "stronger" and more charred. But science actually says the opposite.
A landmark study presented at the American Chemical Society found that dark-roasted coffee contains a compound called N-methylpyridinium (NMP). Interestingly, this compound actually helps suppress the production of stomach acid. Light roasts, which are processed less, don't have as much NMP. Plus, light roasts are often higher in chlorogenic acids, which are great for antioxidants but terrible for a sensitive stomach lining.
So, if you’re struggling, switching to a dark roast might actually be the easiest fix you haven't tried yet. It sounds counterintuitive, but the chemistry doesn't lie.
What the Research Actually Says
It’s important to acknowledge that the medical community is actually divided on this. If you look at the American Journal of Gastroenterology, some large-scale studies haven't found a definitive, universal link between coffee consumption and GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) symptoms in everyone.
Basically, coffee is a "trigger food," not a "cause."
If you have a perfectly healthy gut and a tight LES, you could probably drink a gallon of espresso and feel fine—aside from the jitters. But if you already have a predisposition to reflux, or if you're carrying a bit of extra weight around the midsection (which puts pressure on the stomach), coffee becomes the match that lights the fire.
📖 Related: My eye keeps twitching for days: When to ignore it and when to actually worry
The University of Michigan Health notes that while many doctors recommend cutting out coffee, the actual evidence that "coffee-free" lives lead to better outcomes is mixed. It’s highly individual. You’ve gotta be your own detective.
The Role of Additives
Sometimes it’s not the coffee. It’s what you’re putting in it.
- Dairy: High-fat milk or cream can slow down stomach emptying. If the coffee stays in your stomach longer because it’s mixed with heavy cream, there’s a much higher chance it’ll eventually splash back up.
- Sugar: High amounts of refined sugar can alter the gut microbiome and, for some, trigger bloating that pushes acid upward.
- Artificial Sweeteners: Some studies suggest certain sugar substitutes can irritate the digestive tract.
Try drinking it black for three days. If the reflux goes away, your "coffee" problem was actually a "creamer" problem. If it stays? It’s the beans.
Practical Shifts for Coffee Lovers
You don't have to give up your caffeine fix. That's a "worst-case scenario" that most people can avoid with a few tactical shifts.
First, look at Cold Brew.
Cold brew is made by steeping grounds in room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours. Because the grounds are never exposed to high heat, the chemical reaction that releases those harsh oils and acids never fully happens. Many people find cold brew is roughly 60% less acidic than hot-brewed coffee. It’s a game-changer.
👉 See also: Ingestion of hydrogen peroxide: Why a common household hack is actually dangerous
Second, never drink it on an empty stomach.
When you pour acid into an empty tank, there's nothing to buffer it. Eating a small piece of toast or a banana before your first cup creates a physical barrier and helps soak up some of that excess gastrin production.
Third, timing is everything.
Don't drink coffee right before a workout or right before lying down for a nap. Gravity is your best friend when it comes to keeping acid down. If you drink a cup and then hit the bench press or curl up on the couch, you’re basically asking for the LES to fail.
When to See a Doctor
Reflux isn't just an annoyance. If you're asking can drinking coffee cause acid reflux because you're experiencing it daily, you need to be careful about Barrett’s Esophagus. This is a condition where the lining of your esophagus actually starts to change and look like the lining of your intestine because it's been burned so many times.
If you have "alarm symptoms" like trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or if you're popping Tums like candy more than twice a week, it’s time for an endoscopy.
Actionable Steps to Tame the Burn
- Switch to Low-Acid Beans: Look for brands that specifically market "low-acid" varieties or stick to Sumatra or Brazilian beans, which are naturally lower in acid than Kenyan or Ethiopian varieties.
- Try the "Eggshell" Trick: An old-school way to neutralize acidity is to brew coffee with a clean, crushed eggshell. The calcium carbonate in the shell acts as a natural buffer to the acid.
- The 20-Minute Rule: Wait 20 minutes after waking up to drink your coffee. Let your body’s natural cortisol levels spike first so you aren't hitting a "stressed" stomach with a stimulant immediately.
- Smaller Sips: Chugging a large iced coffee in five minutes floods the stomach. Sip it over an hour.
- Check Your Meds: Some blood pressure medications or ibuprofen can weaken the LES. If you're taking those alongside coffee, you're doubling the risk.
Ultimately, your relationship with coffee doesn't have to end in a breakup. It just needs better boundaries. Experiment with the brewing method and the roast profile before you decide to quit entirely. Most of the time, a switch to dark roast or cold brew—combined with a little bit of food—is enough to keep the ritual alive without the painful aftermath.
Next Steps:
Monitor your symptoms for one week using a simple journal. Track the roast type (light vs. dark), the brewing method, and what you ate with it. Usually, a clear pattern emerges within four to five days, allowing you to identify if it's the caffeine, the acid, or simply the timing of your brew that's causing the issue. This data will be invaluable if you eventually need to consult a gastroenterologist.