For many people, it is hard to imagine starting the day without a cup of coffee or tea. Although the caffeine in coffee can be helpful at warding off drowsiness and increasing alertness, it has been known to cause or worsen stomach problems such as heartburn and ulcers. If you are experiencing prolonged stomach pains, consult your physician immediately as you may be suffering from a serious issue.
Caffeine and Stomach Acid
Caffeine is a substance found in many popular beverages and foods such as coffee and chocolate. Drinking caffeine in moderation can give your body a boost of energy; however, if abused, it can cause a variety of health issues. Caffeine seems to stimulate the secretion of stomach acid, which can aggravate the stomach, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Excess stomach acid can cause health problems such as ulcers or acid reflux and can irritate existing conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Duodenal Ulcers
Caffeine is believed to be one of many possible causes of duodenal ulcers. A duodenal ulcer is an open sore or lesion in the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine just below the stomach. An ulcer forms when the environment in the stomach becomes too acidic and begins to eat away at the duodenum lining, creating sores and lesions. Duodenal ulcer patients are usually advised to avoid caffeine to promote proper healing of sores.
Heartburn and Acid Reflux
Caffeine reduces the pressure on the valve between the esophagus and stomach, called the lower esophageal sphincter, which can cause heartburn, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NDDIC. The valve usually shuts tightly to prevent stomach acid from rising into the esophagus. Caffeine relaxes the muscle so it does not shut tightly and allows acid to escape. Since caffeine also promotes excess stomach acid secretion, the acidic contents of the stomach are pushed up to the esophagus and cause painful heartburn and even acid reflux.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Roughly one in five Americans suffers from symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, according to the NDDIC. IBS sufferers have a particularly sensitive colon and large intestine which makes them prone to stomach aches and diarrhea. Caffeine has been known to worsen symptoms of IBS, according to the NDDIC. Since IBS patients are more sensitive and reactive to things that may not bother others, doctors usually advise IBS sufferers to avoid caffeine.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Digestive Disorders
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- MedLine Plus: Caffeine
Member Comments