Acid Reflux and Drinking Coffee

Other articles on this site describe the cause of acid reflux - a muscular cause. The ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach (LES) fails to squeeze shut properly, allowing acid to flow back (reflux) into the esophagus.

Acid reflux and drinking coffee would seem, then, to be unrelated. How can the drinking of a certain beverage cause a muscle to malfunction? If acid reflux were a disease, with symptoms suggesting that coffee caused acid to build, it might be understandable. Acid reflux is, however, a muscular condition.

Caffeine

Acid reflux and drinking coffee is thought by some to be related by the presence of caffeine. Coffee was discovered more than a millennium ago, but little is known about the biological effects of coffee and its main active ingredient, caffeine.

What is known about caffeine includes these effects related to acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD.

* increases stomach acid production
* is well absorbed by the stomach
* enhances muscle performance

Some claim that caffeine relaxes the LES, allowing acid reflux to occur. There is no clinical proof for this supposition. In fact, tests indicate that caffeine enhances muscle performance and would, therefore, make the LES work better. In relation to acid reflux, it must also be noted that, after four days of regular use, caffeine no longer produces the above results. The body develops tolerance. Those who drink coffee regularly would soon have little to no increase of stomach acid production as a result. There would be little reason to expect acid reflux.

In some people tested, it appeared that coffee relaxed the LES, but caffeine was not shown to be the cause.

Other Ingredients

Perhaps some other ingredient in coffee causes acid reflux. Since caffeine is the principal active ingredient, this would seem unlikely. However, the cyclic dipeptides that give coffee its bitter flavor might possibly cause a degree of muscle relaxation. It has been found that some cyclic dipeptides, with increased solubility, might have potential as muscle relaxants. It is not yet known whether coffee is in that category.

Conclusion

The most likely relationship between acid reflux and drinking coffee may be the rest of the diet consumed by affected coffee drinkers. Certain foods or recipes taken with the coffee may be causing the acid reflux or heartburn.

Alternative causes are not to be ruled out, of course. Stress is top on the list of things other than food and beverage that can cause acid reflux.

CAUTION: This information is presented for educational purposes only. Please see your physician if you have ongoing, chronic heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD.