Causes
The effects of caffeine on the human body are complex. The alkaloid promotes the activation of various organs and systems. As a result, acidity increases and a burning sensation in the stomach is noted.
Coffee beans contain many substances that lead to vasoconstriction. The result is impaired blood flow and disruption of the activity of the alimentary sphincter between the stomach and esophagus. Due to this, hydrochloric acid, the concentration of which increases significantly, begins to rise into the esophagus.
Most often, coffee causes heartburn if you bend over or lie down after drinking it. When performing such actions, some of the acid easily penetrates the esophagus.
From coffee with milk
Coffee lovers who suffer from a burning sensation in the stomach after drinking their favorite drink are recommended to drink coffee with milk. Dairy products can partially neutralize the effect of a natural stimulant, making it less aggressive. It is recommended to add low-fat milk (within 1-1.5 percent) to the invigorating liquid. Due to this, the drink will be more beneficial for the digestive tract.
However, even when drinking the drink in such a safe form, sometimes a burning sensation in the stomach cannot be avoided. If there are already existing problems in the gastrointestinal tract, symptoms appear regardless of whether the coffee contains milk or not.
From tea
It happens that negative changes are observed when drinking not only coffee drinks, but also tea. It contains components that also irritate the gastric mucosa. The reason for the burning sensation is its strength. Discomfort also occurs due to the consumption of a low-quality product or the addition of a large amount of sugar.
Both black and green tea can provoke the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.
It has been noted that the concentration of caffeine is significantly higher in green leaves. If you drink it warm with sugar, the risk of negative changes is quite high.
Mint and lemon balm are beneficial for the digestive system. With their help, it is possible to partially eliminate the symptoms. They contain a lot of useful substances:
- vitamins A and C;
- menthol;
- acetate;
- folic acid.
Herbal ingredients have a long-lasting effect. When drinking such teas, the acidity decreases for 3-4 hours.
From instant drink
There are no beneficial substances in instant coffee. According to doctors, increased acidity is most often observed when drinking instant drinks. If you drink such coffee, the risk of negative changes is significantly higher than in the case of a natural product.
In the process of making powder and granules, low-quality Robusta beans containing a large amount of caffeine are used. The total content of coffee tree fruit in instant coffee is no more than fifteen percent. Main composition of the product:
- stabilizers;
- flavor enhancers;
- amino acids;
- dyes;
- flavorings.
When drinking instant coffee, severe irritation of the stomach walls is noted. Naturally, in this case the frequency and intensity of attacks increases.
From natural
It is absolutely clear why coffee causes heartburn if it is prepared from instant granules. However, sometimes similar changes are observed when brewing a natural product. It also contains substances that negatively affect the digestive tract. Their maximum concentration is observed in coffee grounds. Therefore, if negative changes occur, it is recommended to stop preparing the drink in a Turk and use a coffee machine for this purpose.
Decaffeinated coffee will not help prevent the burning sensation. This is due to the fact that in its production they use Robusta grains, which are characterized by high acidity.
From coffee with cream
If you have digestive problems, a coffee drink with cream will help avoid heartburn. By adding this product, it is possible to slow down the process of gastric juice production. This is due to the presence of fats in the composition, which neutralize the effect of acids in the drink. But such coffee can also cause negative symptoms. As a rule, such changes are observed when it is consumed on an empty stomach and if the permissible daily dosage is exceeded.
Thanks to the cream, it has a tonic effect, the walls of the stomach are coated, and there is no harm to tooth enamel. In addition, the finished product acquires a more refined taste.
When eating sweets with coffee
Heartburn from coffee is often observed when consumed with sweets. This is primarily due to the fact that confectionery products contain heavy components, flavorings, and low-quality unnatural fats. Due to this, the symptoms become pronounced.
In addition, all sweets and sugar lead to irritation of the stomach walls, causing an increase in acidity and fermentation. As a result, excess hydrochloric acid ends up in the esophagus.
Causes of heartburn from coffee
Caffeine activates the work of all body systems, including the digestive system, which causes increased secretion of gastric juice. But besides caffeine, there are other components that cause vasoconstriction. Blood flow is disrupted, and as a result, the work of the esophageal sphincter between the esophagus and stomach is disrupted. So hydrochloric acid, released in excess, rises into the esophagus.
Heartburn occurs especially often if you lie down or bend over after drinking coffee, thereby opening the way for acid from the stomach into the esophagus.
Is it possible to drink coffee if you have heartburn?
If you have serious problems with the digestive system, ulcers or gastritis, you will have to give up coffee drinks. This is the only right decision. A person needs to adhere to a diet that excludes all potentially dangerous foods - this is the only way to prevent relapses. In the absence of an inflammatory process, the situation is slightly different.
If there are no gastrointestinal diseases, drinking coffee for heartburn is allowed, but within reasonable limits.
A cup of your favorite drink will not do any harm. It is advisable to add milk to it. This will reduce the negative impact on the gastrointestinal tract.
Heartburn from instant coffee
In principle, there is nothing healthy in instant coffee.
Scientists have conducted studies that have determined that it is instant coffee that most quickly causes heartburn. Especially if you drank good ground coffee before. Moreover, the price of such coffee, the brand, and the method of processing are unimportant: powdered, freeze-dried, and granulated instant coffee have approximately the same effect on the body. To produce instant coffee, cheap, low-quality robusta, which contains a lot of caffeine, is usually used. Moreover, according to research, instant coffee contains no more than 20-25% coffee beans - the rest is added at least with preservatives, dyes, and even barley powder. Instant coffee irritates the stomach more, so heartburn occurs more often, more intensely, and brings more discomfort.
The most harmful coffee drink is “3 in 1” or “2 in 1” coffee, in sticks and bags. There is not only low-grade coffee powder, but also cheap creamer and sugar substitutes, a lot of preservatives and flavorings.
How to get rid of unpleasant symptoms
Unpleasant sensations that appear systematically in the epigastric region are a reason to contact a medical facility. It is quite possible that their appearance is not due to coffee drinks, but to the onset of a pathological process. The invigorating liquid helps to worsen the situation.
Provided that the burning sensation occurs only when drinking coffee, the following recommendations will help get rid of the unpleasant symptoms:
- reduce the number of servings consumed per day to the bare minimum;
- add dairy products to the composition;
- stop drinking an invigorating drink on an empty stomach;
- Do not drink coffee immediately after meals. You need to wait at least half an hour;
- do not add sugar;
- Excessively hot coffee causes maximum harm;
- Do not include citrus fruits.
Pharmacies dispense a lot of medications that help eliminate symptoms. The following are especially popular:
- Ranitidine;
- Gaviscon;
- Gevikson;
- Maalox.
Coffee drinks can cause heartburn. You can reduce the negative impact with the help of simple recommendations. If such symptoms are observed systematically, medical help is needed.
Heartburn from natural coffee
Natural coffee is much healthier than instant coffee, but it also contains certain components that negatively affect the stomach. The concentration of such substances is especially high in the grounds, so if you have problems with heartburn after natural coffee, consider buying a coffee machine rather than brewing coffee in a Turk. Even after straining, tiny particles of grounds still end up in the cup.
If you are worried about heartburn, try buying bean coffee from Brazil or Indonesia. American and African varieties have more acidity, which can affect heartburn.
Decaffeinated coffee for heartburn is not a solution. Decaffeinated coffee is usually made from robusta, which makes it more acidic and therefore more likely to cause heartburn.
Does the drink cause heartburn?
Heartburn from coffee is quite possible. The fact is that the caffeine contained in the drink irritates the gastric mucosa, and this additionally causes an increased secretion of hydrochloric acid. The burning becomes constant if you drink coffee in the morning and on an empty stomach. As a result, all this can lead to serious diseases such as ulcers and gastritis.
If a person has such attacks increasing every day, then he must immediately change his diet and give up morning coffee, at least on an empty stomach.
The effect of coffee on humans
How exactly does a drink affect a person’s well-being? Scientists, after conducting a series of studies with coffee, found that the drink has a positive effect on people with allergic reactions.
The intensity of symptoms noticeably decreases; as a result of the irritation effect of caffeine, the hormone histamine is released in the body. It fights allergic symptoms. Indian scientists have proven the ability of coffee to protect against radioactive radiation. A parallel group of researchers is trying to prove the drink's ability to stop the progression of cancerous tumors.
If you have low blood pressure, it is recommended to drink espresso. The drink excites the nervous system and can cause an increase in blood pressure.
If the patient is diagnosed with hypertension, drinking espresso is undesirable. The drink is contraindicated for heart patients with gastrointestinal diseases.
Ignoring the doctor's advice and drinking a cup of strong drink in the morning on an empty stomach leads to gastritis. Food is not bound, there is no normal breakdown into digestible elements. The patient complains of an unpleasant burning sensation in the chest area and pain in the epigastrium.
A drink containing caffeine has a stimulating effect on the producing function of the liver and pancreas in the mouth. The glands work in full force. After the cessation of the effect of espresso, the state of the producing organs is depressed and the functioning of the digestive system is disrupted. Advice on coffee consumption: do not drink on an empty stomach.
Now let's look at the causes of heartburn from different types of strong drink.
Instant coffee
There is no benefit in instant drinks. This has been proven by numerous studies. In the production of this type of product, cheap raw materials are used - robusta. The quality of the material is low, the caffeine content is high. Regardless of the cost of the product, the manufacturer and brand, or the manufacturing method, no more than 30% of the beans are included in the composition of instant coffee. The remaining 70% are dyes, preservatives, especially a lot of barley powder.
It has been proven that when drinking a cup of instant coffee, a person is more likely to get heartburn than from a similar volume of natural, brewed raw materials.
The instant drink has a strong irritant effect, provokes intense burning and discomfort.
Today, coffee stickers containing 3 or 2 components have become widespread. They are recognized as a harmful and dangerous drink because they contain an excess of low-quality coffee base, preservatives, artificial cream substitutes, sugar, and flavorings.
Natural coffe
The usefulness of natural espresso is much higher than its instant counterpart. But this does not mean protecting the body from harmful effects. The strong drink contains substances that have a negative effect on the upper organs of the digestive system. The main volume of harmful elements is concentrated in the thicket. If the patient suffers from a burning sensation in the chest, you should not brew the drink in a Turk; it is better to use a special machine for brewing an aromatic drink.
Coffee suppliers advise purchasing beans grown in Brazil and Indonesia: their varieties contain less acid, which will have a positive effect on eliminating heartburn.
Cafein free
A drink made from caffeine-free raw materials. Espresso that does not contain the element is considered a low-acid drink. But the reduced indicator is not enough to exclude the occurrence of a burning sensation. The product is made from cheap robusta, which does not add any benefits, and the manifestation of heartburn will be more intense. Tea has a similar effect.
