Coffee for People With GERD (And others with sensitive stomachs)

Recently, I have been diagnosed with GERD- Gastroesophageal reflux disease, following 5 years of unexplained morning-nausea and vomiting. Sadly, with this diagnosis comes a list of foods one should avoid, in order to preserve a healthy stomach and esophagus. Coffee, being acidic and containing caffeine, is one of the most egregious offenders of the sensitive digestive tract. As an avid coffee lover, like many others stricken with GERD and other digestive ailments, it was devastating to know I could never again have the same relationship with coffee.

Or could I? Could I engineer a perfect formula for creating coffee which my GERD could tolerate? I certainly hoped so, and in the following post you will learn to make your stomach love coffee as much as you do.

The most crucial part of every cuppa’ is the might mighty coffee bean. Unfortunately, these beans contain caffeine and acids, which can greatly distress a sensitive stomach. For some, simply switching to decaf coffee might be enough to satisfy their digestive needs. Others like me, however, need either the traditional, untainted taste of regular coffee, or the sweet caffeine boost. For these people, I recommend creating a blend of regular and decaf beans. Start with a 1:1 ratio, and experiment with what your stomach (and taste buds! ) handle best.

Many esteemed coffee lovers, myself included, much prefer a creamy and/or sweet coffee to the standard black cup of Joe. What should you be thinking about when you pick your coffee-creamer of choice? First, avoid dairy. Although dairy has a low pH and appears basic, in the body it is broken down into lactic acid, creating a net higher pH than if you had not drank the milk. In that case, what alternative should you use to give you coffee that creaminess you crave? According to Healthline, almond and soy milks are alkaline (basic, high pH) and would be good dairy alternatives for people with GERD or other overly acidic stomachs. On the other hand, coconut, cashew, and oat milk tend to be more acidic.

Lastly, it’s important to remember that every person (and their digestive system) is different. Over time, as your relationship with your digestive system fluctuates, you may find yourself tweaking the recipe for your midnight oil accordingly. And at the end of the day, if none of these strategies have helped you keep down your brew, there exists a myriad of coffee-replacements which can offer a similar rustic morning experience.