Can caffeine-free coffee help with acid reflux is a pressing question. Many individuals living with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or reflux struggle to find healthy replacements for their morning cup of joe.

There are a variety of ingredients that can provide the warm, earthy flavor of coffee without its stimulating effect. Mushroom elixirs and raw cacao have become increasingly popular as natural sources of energy that contain lots of antioxidants for an alternative energy boost.

Coffee may trigger acid reflux symptoms in up to 5% of the population, regardless of its caffeine content. Coffee’s pharmacological action can trigger reflux for these individuals – in fact, one study involved measuring the pH levels after ingestion of both regular and decaffeinated coffee, but only regular-type beverages caused reflux symptoms in these individuals.

Up to 400 mg of caffeine daily should be safe for most adults, though that amount may be excessive for those managing reflux symptoms. Too much caffeine may relax the lower oesophageal sphincter too quickly and cause symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation.