The consumption of coffee is something that many of us tend to do on a regular basis. But there are times when, after a cup of coffee, all of a sudden we experience powerful stomach pain. But why does this happen? Let’s delve a little deeper into this phenomenon by exploring the facts and exploring the perspectives of experts.
Coffee Is Acidic
First of all, there is a scientific reason why coffee can cause stomach pains. Coffee is a highly acidic drink. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14. The lower an item is on the pH scale, the more acidic it is, and coffee is between 2 and 3.5, making it much more acidic than humans are used to drinking.
When this acidic liquid comes into contact with the stomach, it could cause damage to the protective layer of the stomach and therefore potentially cause pain. This is because, for an optimal digestion, the stomach needs to be highly alkaline, usually having a pH of around 5.
Drinking Too Much Coffee
When drinking coffee, it is important to be mindful of how much coffee we are consuming. Depending on our sensitivity, drinking too much coffee could create a series of intense and powerful spasms in the stomach. People that suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other similar syndromes are particularly affected by high levels of coffee.
Randomly switching between regular coffee and decaf coffee doesn’t help either, as these frequent changes disturb the stomach even more.
How to Mitigate Coffee-Related Stomach Pain
There are several tips and tricks to mitigate coffee-related stomach pain. The simplest and most obvious is to try to drink less coffee. If that is not an option, then drinking decaf coffee or switching from regular to decaf coffee and vice versa steadily, can help reduce stomach pain.
Beverages such as almond milk could also be useful when added to coffee. Finally, developing a healthy diet that helps reduce stomach acid and supports the normal digestion process can help improve the situation.
Experts’ Perspectives
In an interview conducted with Dr. Celeste Torio, a gastroenterologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital, she stated: “Coffee affects everyone differently, but it is safe to assume that if somebody is experiencing pain after drinking coffee then there is probably an underlying problem.”
In this regard, it is important to take into consideration the fact that there might be other underlying problems that could be making the stomach more sensitive to coffee and that’s why this type of pain is experienced. For example, some diseases can make the stomach more sensitive or even weaken its protective layers.
Coffee Benefits
Despite the aforementioned, it is important to note the positive aspects of drinking coffee. Coffee has incredible benefits, including increased alertness, improved metabolism, increased protection against Parkinson’s and potential protection against some forms of cancer.
It is also important to look at the bigger picture. Stomach pain after a cup of coffee isn’t necessarily always because of the coffee itself. We should be looking at the overall diet, lifestyle and our environment to examine what it is that these causes can be.
Issues of Desensitization and Addiction
Another issue related to coffee consumption is the matter of desensitization, which means that if we drink coffee on a daily basis our body gets used to it and the physical effects start to disappear. This can further contribute to stomach pains if coffee consumption is reduced all of a sudden, as our body is used to getting a certain dose of caffeine daily.
It is important to note that regularly consuming coffee could lead to coffee addiction. Caffeine could also potentially worsen other stomach problems and exacerbate mental issues, such as anxiety and restlessness, which can lead to even more stomach pains.
Extended Perspectives
At this point, it is important to realize that even though coffee consumption brings a lot of good things, it is better to be safe than sorry. Not everyone is affected in the same way. It is highly necessary to realize that a healthy lifestyle is essential and that too much of anything can be harmful.
In addition, it is a good idea to listen to our body, pay attention to pain signals and recognize when something isn’t right. In order to avoid stomach and regimen-related issues, try to only drink coffee when it is absolutely necessary.
Side Effects of Coffee
When drinking coffee, even in moderate amounts, there are several other possible side effects that can occur, causing health issues. Some of these could be increased heart rate, disruption of sleep patterns and jitteriness. Also, as mentioned before, coffee addiction is a real thing and can potentially lead to more serious issues such as anxiety or insomnia.
This is particularly true for people that suffer from mental disorders because coffee can make it worse. Regularly drinking coffee can also cause one to stop feeling the effects of it, which can lead to drinking more cups of coffee each day, putting a strain on the stomach.
Advice on Reducing Coffee Intake
In any case, reducing coffee intake is a good way to address any potential health issues related to coffee. If you do feel like having a cup of coffee, there a couple of tricks can keep it under control. The first is to always make sure that you drink a glass of water with your coffee, don’t forget to eat fruits, vegetables and other sources of alkalinity, and make sure not to mix coffee with sugary food.
Also, some people seem to enjoy drinking their coffee with milk; however, it is important to be aware that milk can further reduce the alkalinity of the stomach. Therefore, it is advisable to either eliminate dairy from coffee or reduce it to a minimum. Finally, it is important to be informed about the possible risks and have realistic expectations.
Coffee Alternatives
Coffee is not the only beverage around. There are plenty of other drinks that can provide similar, if not better, results. For instance, matcha, chai and rooibos teas can be alternatives to coffee. There are also herbal teas that might bring the same alertness, but without the caffeine and the risks of reduced alkalinity. Also, consider adding a pinch of cardamon, ginger and cayenne pepper to your morning drink. All of these ingredients will provide your cup of coffee some spice, but more importantly they will also provide you with more alkaline pH and help you reduce the risks of stomach pains.
On the other hand, if you like coffee but you want to reduce its intake, then you can start by having half decaf and half regular coffee or something similar. Similarly, you can try the cold brew or cold drip coffee option.
Enhancing Digestion and Healthy Eating Habits
Caffeine isn’t the only thing that can cause stomach pains. Foods that are low in alkaline can also cause it, particularly when consumed in large quantities. Fruits, vegetables and nuts would be a good choice. Additionally, adding probiotics and enzymes to your diet can help. Probiotics contain live microorganisms that help the digestive system, while enzymes are proteins that help break down and absorb food.
Finally, be aware of food sensitivities. Pay attention to the types of food you are eating, as certain food can create an intense inflammatory response in the body. If that’s the case, drinking coffee can worsen symptoms further. Alcohol and processed foods, for example, should be eliminated from the diet.
