Coffee is a staple drink for many people, particularly those forced to get up early or operate on too few hours of sleep. Coffee provides large amounts of caffeine to the body --- which can improve alertness, but also have unwanted effects in the stomach. Coffee can be acidic, particularly if it is decaffeinated; this can increase stomach acid and contribute to acid reflux. If you suffer from this when drinking coffee, several different strategies may help you reduce or eliminate discomfort relating to coffee's acidity.
Step 1
Add a small amount of dairy creamer or milk to your coffee. The calcium found in these products will help to neutralize the acid in your coffee, reducing its impact on your stomach. Use as much as you want or need: Anywhere from a few drops to a ratio of half milk to half coffee --- on many coffee-shop menus as the cafe au lait --- is acceptable as long as you enjoy the taste.
Step 2
Drink water while drinking coffee. This will dilute the concentration of the coffee, reducing the intensity of its effects on your stomach. Drinking water is also a useful approach to treating existing damage in your stomach, such as an ulcer.
Step 3
Eat a snack containing fiber with your coffee. Fiber is found in many foods, particularly whole-grain products, and it can help absorb coffee and diminish its ability to damage the stomach. Some fibrous products also restore and promote the health of the mucus lining of your stomach, Dr. Robert Hoffman explains, further minimizing the impact of acidic foods on your stomach and neutralizing coffee's ill effects.
Things You'll Need
- Coffee
- Milk or dairy creamer
- Water
- Grain-based snack
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