Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee Without Upsetting Your Stomach
Coffee is one of the most consumed drinks in the world. While it can be incredibly enjoyable to drink, some people suffer from stomach upset when they drink coffee. Fortunately, there are simple steps that can be taken to minimize the chances of your coffee giving you an upset stomach. Here is how you can drink coffee without upsetting your stomach.
1. Sip Slowly and Don’t Gulp It Down
The faster you drink your coffee, the more likely it is that you’ll get an upset stomach. So, take small slow sips. Which will also help you savor the flavor more, for a more enjoyable experience. Remember, lower speeds means lower risk of getting an upset stomach.
2. Avoid Processed and Refined Foods
Processed and refined foods, such as sweet pastries, cakes, or bagels, can disrupt the pH of your stomach when combined with coffee. The higher your pH the easier it is for your stomach to get upset. For this reason, it’s important to avoid these types of foods when drinking coffee. Stick to fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks, as these increase your stomach’s pH levels, thus making it less likely to get an upset stomach.
3. Drink Lighter Viscerally Roasted Coffee
Lighter roasted coffee beans are easier to process and digest in your stomach without upsetting it. The darker the roast, the tougher the beans will be to digest. If you want to lower the chances of your coffee giving you an upset stomach, opt for light roast coffee.
4. Select De-Caffeinated Coffee
If you are particularly sensitive to caffeine, you may have an easier time digesting caffeine-free alternatives, such as decaffeinated coffee. Futhermore, as caffeine is a stimulant, it can cause your stomach to become more acidic, making it more likely to get an upset stomach. So, if you want to minimize the chances of getting an upset stomach drinking your coffee, opt for de-caffeinated coffee.
5. Eat Before or After Drinking Coffee
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can upset your stomach and make you feel queasy. When you drink coffee, it stimulates your digestive system, so eating something before or after drinking your coffee can help mitigate the effects on your stomach. Eating something light, such as a piece of fruit or a snack, before or after drinking your coffee can help ease any feelings of nausea.
6. Avoid Cream or Milk
Sometimes adding cream or milk to your coffee can lead to an upset stomach. The fats in the cream and milk can be difficult to digest and can disrupt your stomach’s pH levels, leading to an upset stomach. So, if you’re trying to drink coffee without it making your stomach upset, avoid adding cream or milk to the coffee.
7. Drink Coffee at the Right Temperature
Drinking coffee that’s too hot can cause your stomach to become too acidic, leading to an upset stomach. To reduce the chances of your stomach becoming too acidic, wait a few minutes before drinking your coffee and make sure that it cools down to a temperature you are comfortable with. Avoid drinking coffee when it’s too hot, this should reduce the chances of your coffee giving you an upset stomach.
8. Investigate Alternative Blends
If you’re finding that you’re still getting an upset stomach after drinking coffee, it might be worth looking into alternative coffee blends. Some types of coffee are more likely to cause stomach upset than others, so experimenting with different coffee blends can help you find one that won’t upset your stomach. Speak to a coffee expert or do some research online to find out which type of coffee will suit you best.
Limitations of Alternative Blends
Finding an alternative blend of coffee is not foolproof. Some coffee blends may still result in an upset stomach, due to the various compounds found in coffee. Furthermore, different individuals may react differently to different blends, so what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. As such, it’s important to experiment with different blends and to be aware of the signs of an upset stomach.
How to Take Action if You Do Get an Upset Stomach
If you do get an upset stomach after drinking coffee, the best thing to do is to take actions to reduce the symptoms. Taking an antacid, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding eating or drinking anything else until you have recovered are some of the simplest actions you can take. Another option is to drink ginger tea, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate nausea.
Considerations When Drinking Coffee Without Upsetting Your Stomach
Though it may involve a bit of trial and error, it is possible to find ways of drinking coffee without it upsetting your stomach. Thankfully, it’s relatively easy to do so by taking simple steps such as sipping slowly, avoiding processed and refined food, opting for lighter roasted coffee, and selecting the right temperature to drink it. Additionally, drinking an alternative blend of coffee and being aware of the signs of an upset stomach can be beneficial.
The Effects of Caffeine on Your Stomach
Caffeine is a stimulant, and one of the active ingredients in coffee. As such, caffeine can have different effects on your body, including increasing your heart rate, making you feel more alert, and improving your reaction time. However, caffeine can also aggravate an upset stomach and can cause uncomfortable stomach cramping. Most of these effects usually wear off within an hour or two, but for those with sensitive stomachs, it can last for much longer.
How to Prevent Coffee Giving You an Upset Stomach
To prevent coffee from giving you an upset stomach, it’s important to be aware of the common causes of stomach upset from drinking coffee. These include drinking coffee on an empty stomach, adding cream or milk to it, and consuming processed and refined food. Additionally, drinking coffee in moderation, choosing lighter-roast coffee, and using decaffeinated coffee can also reduce the chances of your coffee giving you an upset stomach.
Conclusion and Precautious Measures
By following these simple guidelines, you should be able to drink coffee without upsetting your stomach. However, it’s important to remember that everyone is different and that you should take extra precautions when drinking coffee, particularly if you have a sensitive stomach. If you find that your coffee is still giving you an upset stomach, it may be worth talking to your doctor and seeking medical advice.
