You likely have an opinion on the topic of coffee and digestion. Some people think it upsets their stomach, while others claim it’s helpful for issues like acid reflux or a sensitive stomach. Is one of these opinions correct? The answer is both — with some caveats. The truth is that different people react to coffee in different ways. While most people can drink it without problems, others find that drinking even a small amount makes their stomach churn. If you tend to have sensitive digestion, you should proceed with caution when trying new foods or drinks. You may also want to keep track of how your body responds after consuming coffee so that you can see if it’s helping or hurting you later on. Here’s what you need to know about drinking coffee if you have an upset stomach.

Can I drink coffee with upset stomach?

Yes, you can drink coffee with an upset stomach. Coffee is a powerful antioxidant that can help calm an upset stomach. Additionally, caffeinated properties can help improve gastric motility and relax blood vessels. If you are suffering from diarrhea, I would recommend avoiding hot drinks such as coffee. However, cold black coffee is fine to drink if you prefer it.

When Is Coffee Good For Digestion?

1. Black Coffee = Good, White Coffee = Bad

Black coffee is the best type of coffee to drink if you have an upset stomach. It contains a lot of antioxidants, which can help improve your digestion. White coffee on the other hand is bad for digestion because it contains fewer antioxidants and caffeine. That’s why white coffee can make you feel worse than black when it comes to digestion.

2. Black Coffee Contains More Antioxidants Than Green Tea

Coffee contains antioxidants that help improve your digestive system. The main ones in coffee are polyphenols and caffeine. Studies have shown that these antioxidants can help with stomach irritation and even diarrhea (source). This is why black coffee is good for digestion, but green tea is not (see below).

3. Green Tea Does Not Help Digestion

Green tea contains a lot of antioxidants, but these are not the ones that improve digestion. The green tea antioxidants in your cup do nothing for your digestion because they are different than the ones found in coffee (source). Additionally, black coffee is the best type of coffee to drink if you have an upset stomach. It contains a lot of antioxidants and caffeine, which can help improve your digestion.

4. Coffee Improves Gastric Motility

Coffee is one of the best things for improving gastric motility — which is when stomach muscles contract so that food can be pushed through them (source). Drinking a cup or two in the morning can help you feel full faster and prevent overeating throughout the day (source). This is why people often drink coffee after eating or before bed to prevent overeating later on (source). Additionally, caffeine helps relax blood vessels and improves blood flow, which helps with digestion as well (source). This is why some people believe that drinking coffee can upset their stomachs if they haven’t eaten it first.

5. Caffeine Can Help Improve Intestinal Peristalsis

Intestinal peristalsis is when intestinal muscles move food along through your intestines. It’s important for good digestive health as it allows for proper nutrient absorption from foods you eat (source). Caffeine helps relax blood vessels and improve blood flow, which speeds up intestinal peristalsis and therefore improves digestion (source).

6. Coffee Can Improve Brain Function

Caffeine is a stimulant, which means that it can help improve brain function. Caffeine may improve your memory, attention span, and focus (source). This is why many people who work long hours at their computers also drink coffee to keep them awake when they get home in the evening. Caffeine can also help improve your mood (source). This is why some people drink coffee when they’re feeling down or depressed to perk themselves up. Drinking a cup of coffee can help you feel more alert throughout the day and make you more productive at work.

When Is Coffee Bad For Digestion?

1. Coffee Can Cause Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is when stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus. It’s a very common digestive problem, especially among people with GERD (a condition of the esophagus where the lower portion of the esophagus is narrowed by an abnormal accumulation of stomach acid). When you have GERD, it can cause your stomach to burn and feel like it’s on fire as well as make you feel full even though you haven’t eaten.

2. Coffee Causes Diarrhea

Coffee contains caffeine and other chemicals that can irritate the digestive tract. In particular, coffee contains tannins, which are chemical compounds found in some plants (source). Tannins are not digested in your digestive system so they get trapped in your intestines and cause diarrhea. Tannins also interfere with digestion because they bind with certain substances in food and make them less available for absorption (source). For example, coffee can interfere with the absorption of calcium if you have a sensitivity to tannins (source).

3. Coffee Can Give You Acid Reflux

Coffee can cause heartburn, which is a painful burning sensation in the chest (source). Heartburn is a symptom of GERD. If you have GERD and drink coffee, you should avoid it to reduce your risk of developing acid reflux. Coffee can also worsen acid reflux because it contains caffeine, which increases your heart rate and accelerates the process of digestion (source). This means that there’s more pressure on your stomach as it tries to digest food before your body has had time to absorb it (source).

4. Coffee Causes Constipation

Coffee has a laxative effect, which means that it makes stool harder and less likely to pass through the digestive system (source). This is why people who drink coffee tend to have constipation. It’s important not to brush off this warning—it’s not worth taking the chance of having a serious problem with your digestive tract for one cup of coffee!

5. Coffee Can Cause Bloating

Caffeine can irritate and inflame the lining of the digestive tract (source). When this happens, you might experience bloating, which is a feeling of fullness in your abdomen (source). Caffeine can also cause abdominal cramping. In some cases, it can even lead to pain in the upper abdomen (source). If you experience any of these symptoms after drinking coffee, you should stop drinking it immediately.

What Causes An Upset Stomach?

1. Coffee Can Cause Heartburn

Coffee can cause heartburn, which is a painful burning sensation in the chest (source). Coffee contains tannins, which are chemical compounds found in some plants (source). Tannins are not digested in your digestive system so they get trapped in your intestines and cause heartburn. Tannins also interfere with digestion because they bind with certain substances in food and make them less available for absorption (source). For example, coffee can interfere with the absorption of calcium if you have a sensitivity to tannins (source).

2. Coffee Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS

IBS is a common disorder that causes abdominal pain and discomfort (source). It’s most often caused by stress or changes in diet, but it can also be triggered by other things like certain medications or infections—so if you’ve been experiencing it for a while and you can’t figure out what’s causing it, it may be worth seeing a doctor. IBS is common in women and can also occur in men (source).

3. Coffee Can Cause Acid Reflux

Acid reflux happens when stomach acid leaks back into the esophagus, which can lead to heartburn (source). There are many possible causes of acid reflux, including medications like antacids and heartburn medications, as well as certain foods that trigger the release of stomach acid (including citrus fruits and caffeine) (source). If you experience symptoms like heartburn or indigestion after drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages, see your doctor to rule out any underlying health issues that could be causing these symptoms.

Conclusion

Coffee has long been a controversial beverage. Some people swear by it and can’t start the day without it, while others say it’s bad for you. The truth is that different people react to coffee in different ways. While most people can drink it without problems, others find that drinking even a small amount makes their stomach churn. If you tend to have sensitive digestion, you should proceed with caution when trying new foods or drinks. You may also want to keep track of how your body responds after consuming coffee so that you can see if it is helping or hurting you later on. So, when in doubt, it’s better to be safe than sorry.