Just because you suffer from acid reflux doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your morning coffee. You just have to know the right coffee for acid reflux.
If you have been told to avoid certain food items such as chocolate, tomatoes, orange juice, and coffee to help your acid reflux, you might be wondering how you are possibly going to make it through the day without your fix of caffeine.
The good news for coffee lovers is that there are specific coffee brands where the coffee is made with less acid, so you can enjoy a cup without making your acid reflux and heartburn worse.
What Is Acid Reflux?
You might be familiar with the terms acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD. They are often used interchangeably, despite having different meanings. For instance, acid reflux is the backflow of stomach contents (and particularly stomach acid) into the esophagus.
Whereas the feeling of acid reflux (a mild burning sensation in the chest) is what we refer to as heartburn. It’s that uncomfortable feeling you might get after you eat spicy food or have indigestion.
GERD refers to Gastroesophageal reflux disease, and it is a more serious form of chronic acid reflux. GERD symptoms include chronic heartburn, where you are getting a great deal of the time.
However, if you only occasionally get heartburn, then it’s unlikely you have to worry about GERD. Of course, you might still be worried about whether or not you can have your morning cup of coffee or if you have to switch to decaffeinated coffee or green tea.
Does Coffee Cause Heartburn?
If you get heartburn when drinking coffee, that’s because caffeine is known to relax the lower esophageal sphincter. This, in turn, can increase the risk of acid reflux and heartburn.
Of course, there is always the option of moving away from caffeinated coffee and choosing decaf coffee. However, for much of the coffee-drinking public, this does not appeal, as the pick-me-up from the caffeine is exactly why they choose to have a morning cup.
Another reason coffee can give you heartburn is that it is a naturally acidic drink. Thus, one of the effects of coffee can be to trigger digestive issues, such as heartburn. This is particularly true if you are drinking it on an empty stomach or if you choose a brand that’s high in acidity.
That’s where low-acid options come into play, and thankfully, these are now more plentiful for coffee lovers. These types of coffees often have other health benefits, such as being higher in antioxidants. These coffees are usually tested for mold and mildew, too, to ensure there are no acid-causing elements within the coffee grounds.
What Do You Mean by Acidity?
It is a good idea to cover exactly what is meant by acidity and coffee. The acid that occurs in coffee occurs naturally. Furthermore, Arabica beans, which are commonly used to make a wide variety of types of coffee, are quite acidic.
Even though they are slightly less acidic than Robusta coffee beans, a lot of people actually like acid in their coffee.
When we refer to acid, we are not referring to the substances that burn through floors in the movies. But rather foods that are not alkaline and that can upset the natural chemistry of your stomach.
If someone describes citric or plummy flavors in their coffee, they are usually referring specifically to the acid content. Unfortunately, this is the exact type of acid that you need to avoid if you have been diagnosed with acid reflux.
There are several exceptional brands of coffee that have relatively low acid content that you may be able to drink without making your symptoms worse.
1. Life Boost Organic Coffee
This is perhaps the most popular brand of coffee that people know of when it comes to low acid content. This specific type of coffee uses coffee beans from Nicaragua. Because they are grown at relatively low humidity levels, they have next to no chance of growing any type of mold or mildew, which keeps the acid content to a minimum.
Furthermore, this coffee comes specifically from a small family farm. Therefore, it might be frustrating to see the “sold out” message on a regular basis; however, that’s how you know it’s popular! With such a low acid content, you can enjoy your morning cup of coffee without worrying about acid reflux.
A medium roast selection that is full bodied with round flavors, creating a perfect balance of aroma, flavors and acidity from start to finish.
2. Koffee Kult Dark Roasted Coffee Beans
Another option that you might want to consider if you are looking for low-acid coffee is Koffee Kult Dark Roasted Coffee. Koffee Kult Dark Roasted Coffee is grown in Sumatra, Guatemala, and Colombia.
There are several varieties from which to choose; however, the dark roast Frozen is probably going to be your best bet if you are looking for coffee with low acid content. Even though the acid content is relatively low, the flavor is still incredibly bold, providing you with the best of both worlds.
Therefore, Koffee Kult Dark Roasted Coffee is popular among regular coffee drinkers in addition to those who are looking to control acid reflux. It offers an excellent option to people with dietary controls but is also just a tasty coffee for anyone looking to add a new, darker roast to their cup.
3. Puroast Coffee
If you are looking for coffee with numbers to back up the claim of low acid content, then you probably want to check out Puroast Coffee. Puroast Coffee has an overall medium roast with a few darker beans thrown in. That is the way this company is able to balance the low acidity level without sacrificing flavor.
Like other coffee companies, there are several options from which to choose; however, a lot of their coffee beans come from Venezuela, which has a relatively low amount of acid normally. Overall, the coffee has a relatively soft flavor profile, which leads to a smooth finish.
Furthermore, you are also purchasing a unique type of coffee, as Venezuela is not one of the largest producers of coffee in the world. This is a unique cup of coffee that will not burn as it goes down and brews brilliantly when made in a French press.
4. Tieman’s Fusion Coffee
This is a unique blend of coffee that you are going to enjoy. A lot of herbs are blended with Arabica coffee beans at the molecular level, right as everything is roasted together. Even though some people might call it a superfood, it does have an innate low acid content.
Thanks to the Central and South American Arabica coffee beans, along with a number of healthy ingredients, this is one of the most popular types of coffee among those who are health-focused. This includes people who suffer from acid reflux.
- Low Acid Dark Roast
- Ground
- 10-Ounce bag
- 100% premium Arabica coffee naturally fused with Matcha Green Tea
5. Java Planet
When people think about coffee from Java Planet, they usually think about coffee that is heavily involved in the organic movement. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that their coffee beans are among the best in the world.
There are lots of varieties from which to choose, including a low-acid variety. There is also a low-acid decaf variety. It is difficult to go wrong with the coffee beans from Java Planet, as you can even buy green beans if you choose.
In addition to supporting a great cause, you will also enjoy coffee from a company that will help you keep your acid reflux under control. Consider Java Planet!
6. Healthy Bean Thrive Morning
Healthy Bean is a coffee that promises all of the benefits of coffee without any of the acid reflux symptoms. Of course, it is an organic coffee that is low in acidity, so you can avoid potential issues by substituting it for your normal blend when making espresso or your daily cold brew coffee.
It is best enjoyed alongside low-acidic foods and offers a smooth, well-rounded flavor. There is still plenty of caffeine content, so you’re getting the boost without the negative effects of coffee’s acidity. It’s also worth noting that it is high in antioxidants, which is always a bonus.
