Many people enjoy beginning their day with a cup of coffee; however, for those suffering from acid reflux (also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD), this beverage can exacerbate symptoms. Coffee contains acid that can irritate stomach lining and esophagus lining, leading to heartburn symptoms which is a symptom of acid reflux disease.

There are drinks you can enjoy that won’t trigger acid reflux, such as herbal teas, low fat milk and water. Avoiding foods and beverages which trigger GERD symptoms will significantly alleviate their symptoms.

If you can’t give up coffee altogether, consider decaffeinated versions instead. Decaf coffee goes through a special process that removes most of its caffeine while still leaving flavor intact, and may actually help ease GERD symptoms more effectively than regular caffeinated varieties.

Researchers recently conducted a study assessing the impact of different coffee varieties on oesophageal pH in people living with reflux disease. They discovered that when patients drank decaffeinated coffee instead of regular, their oesophageal pH dropped more significantly.

If you’re worried about giving up the taste of your beloved coffee beverage, cold brewed is an acidity-reducer and could help relieve some GERD symptoms in some participants. Ginger or deglycyrrhizinated licorice herbal tea may also provide additional mucus coating to protect against acidity levels rising back from your stomach, thus decreasing reflux symptoms.