Some people can drink cup after cup of coffee every day with no problem. Others, however, can hardly tolerate coffee. Coffee can irritate the stomach, and if your stomach is already sensitive, your doctor might advise you to stay away from or limit everything that contains caffeine, from coffee to sodas.
Function
Most people can consume a moderate amount of caffeine with no ill effects. Two to 4 cups of brewed coffee a day -- which provide roughly 200 to 300 mg of caffeine -- should not be harmful, according to the Mayo Clinic website. More than that, however, might upset your stomach. You could have other symptoms, as well. Among them are fast heartbeat, muscle tremors, nervousness, insomnia, restlessness and irritability. If you have a caffeine sensitivity, even a small amount could cause stomach upset.
Stomach-Acid Production
Your body responds to caffeine in many ways. Caffeine stimulates your brain, increasing wakefulness. It increases your blood pressure and pulse rate. Caffeine also increases your stomach-acid production. Because you can develop a caffeine tolerance, these effects may lessen if you drink coffee regularly. But if you're not used to caffeine, or your system is sensitive to it, the increase in acid production might irritate your stomach, especially if your stomach is already inflamed.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Coffee can also irritate your stomach lining if you have certain medical conditions. For example, heavy use of coffee, alcohol or acidic beverages can lead to gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining. Symptoms include stomach pain, indigestion, nausea and loss of appetite. A potential complication of gastritis is the development of peptic ulcers, or open sores in the lining of the stomach, esophagus or duodenum, which is part of the intestine. People with peptic ulcers shouldn't drink coffee -- caffeinated or decaffeinated -- because it might worsen symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Considerations
The effect coffee has on your stomach depends on your gastrointestinal health, your tolerance for caffeine, your consumption and other factors. If you experience negative side effects after drinking coffee, quit drinking it, if you can. If you want to continue drinking coffee, talk with your doctor. She may be able to advise you on the amount you can have every day without upsetting your stomach.
Member Comments