Coffee Hurting Your Stomach? Here's Why

Using organic, dark roast beans is the first step!

I’ve been drinking coffee since I was six years old. One morning, I took my father’s coffee pot and started putting it into my hot chocolate thinking it was “more chocolate,” and just… never stopped.

So when coffee started to bother my stomach in my 20s, I turned to my favourite place: the internet.

Acid in the brewed coffee can indigestion, or the caffeine stimulates the muscles in your abdomen to contract, causing pain.

ORGANIC IS BEST

The road to enjoying coffee again starts when you buy; dark roast has been seen to have less acid. I buy only organic beans from a local roaster, as they also have less pesticides and chemicals. My favourite right now is Joshua Tree Coffee Co.

BREW IT DIFFERENT

Right now for the colder months, I use an AeroPress, which produces a smoother and bolder cup of coffee that doesn’t seem to bother my stomach.

During the summer, I make cold brew coffee using the OXO BREW Cold Brew Coffee Maker twice a week, and store it in the fridge. This has a lot less acid than traditional brewing methods.

Adding mint can soothe the stomach, as well as tame your breath afterwards!

TRY SOMETHING NEW

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can amplify the negative effects, so try and eat something before you take a sup. If you’re like me, you like to have your magical bean water first thing in the morning and I don’t eat breakfast, so I add a lot full-fat creamer. If you can’t do dairy, you can add coconut cream. Thinner milks like almond or hemp won’t give you enough fat.

If you’re feeling REALLY adventurous, you can try my Egg Latte recipe: put your (extra hot) coffee into the blender, turn it on low, drop an egg in it, and rev it up! Then you can add sweeteners and a creamer to this frothy blend, and enjoy some added protein in your diet.

ADD IN SOME EXTRAS

You can add mint to your coffee to soothe IBS symptoms. According to the linked article, mint also increases alertness and  aides in weight loss. As an added bonus, it can help with coffee breath!

Cardamom pods have been added to Turkish Coffee for centuries. It can reduce acidity when brewed!

Reducing the amount of sugar you put in your coffee isn’t just good for your health; it can also reduce cramping when you drink coffee. Try cutting your sugar in half, but adding a few drops of vanilla to your cup! It will make it taste sweet!

In Middle Eastern cultures, coffee comes with cardamom in it. It’s what gives Turkish Coffee that distinct flavour. Cardamom isn’t just for taste; it has been shown to neutralize the acidity in coffee!

Have any more tips for making your cup even better? Drop them below!