The occasional cup of caffeinated coffee perks you up at the start of your day or gives you the extra boost needed in the afternoon to get through the rest of your day. But if you have problematic digestive disorders like gastroesophageal reflux, coffee can irritate your digestive tract and lead to acid indigestion, or heartburn. This may also be the case for decaffeinated coffee, which implies there is more triggering gastric acid secretion than caffeine alone.
Indigestion and Heartburn
Indigestion is a symptom, not a specific condition. It generally occurs as a result of overeating, eating too fast or from eating high-fat foods. Indigestion alone is not caused by excess stomach acid, notes the Cleveland Clinic. Heartburn does occur as a result of stomach acid backing up into your esophagus but it does not always occur after you eat. Heartburn results from weakening or an abnormality in the sphincter muscle, which is supposed to prevent acid from returning into your stomach after leaving the esophagus. You may experience heartburn and indigestion similarly, as a burning pain in the chest. The terms "indigestion" and "heartburn" are often used interchangeably, but the underlying cause is different for each.
Acid Indigestion and GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a common condition when the lower esophageal sphincter muscle does not close properly and allows stomach juices to rise into the esophagus. In the event of GERD, you may experience the upper abdominal pain of indigestion and lower chest pain from heartburn because acid returns to the esophageal tube. Acid indigestion from GERD is worsened by certain acidic foods, including citrus, spicy items and coffee, but GERD is not caused by food.
Coffee and Indigestion
If you have an existing diagnosis of GERD, avoiding coffee may help prevent gastric irritation. According to a 2008 review in the "Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences," the constituents in coffee, including caffeine, chlorogenic acid and N-methyl pyridinium, increase the risk of high gastric acid secretion. Similarly, a 1999 review published in the "Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology" indicates that coffee promotes gastroesophageal reflux, or acid indigestion, but it does not cause indigestion alone.
Coffee and Indigestion Management
Occasional coffee consumption is harmless and Dr. Donald Hensrud, a Mayo Clinic specialist, notes that coffee may even have health benefits when used moderately. However, if you suffer from frequent indigestion, an underlying condition like peptic ulcer or digestive disease may be triggered by your coffee use. Consult your physician to determine the cause of frequent indigestion and implement dietary changes via physician recommendation. The best way to determine if coffee is a culprit in symptom flares is to eliminate it from your diet to see if the symptoms disappear.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Cleveland Clinic; Indigestion; December 2009
- Mayo Clinic; Heartburn; May 21, 2011
- "Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology"; Coffee and Gastrointestinal Function; Facts and Fiction; A Review; P.J. Boekema, et al.; 1999
- "Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences"; Time-Dependent Component-Specific Regulation of Gastric Acid Secretion-Related Proteins by Roasted Coffee Constituents; M. Rubach, et al.; April 2008
- Mayo Clinic; Coffee and Health; Donald Hensrud, M.D.; May 6, 2010
