Many people begin their day with a cup of coffee in the morning as part of their morning ritual, yet for those living with acid reflux and other digestive conditions it can lead to uncomfortable side effects such as heartburn and acid reflux.

A part of the gastric discomfort may be attributable to the coffee’s stimulant effect; as its stimulating properties increase stomach acid production and relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which normally prevents acid from traveling up into the esophagus.

According to the Koufman Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), an easy way of determining whether you have acid reflux, caffeine has been identified as a trigger in up to 15% of cases of acid reflux. Consuming more than three cups of coffee daily could cause heartburn due to its caffeine content; reducing or switching to decaf coffee could ease any discomfort from overdoing it with caffeine intake.

Coffee contains other ingredients that may also contribute to digestive discomfort, including sugar and dairy products such as milk and cream. This is especially true for individuals suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome as these foods can trigger abdominal cramping and diarrhea episodes.

Some alternatives to regular coffee that are less acidic include black tea or lapsang souchong, a dark roast tea that features a smokey flavor and aroma, as well as caffeine-free options like green or rooibos tea – it all depends on what works for your digestive system! It is up to each person to experiment until they find one that best eases discomfort without inducing acid reflux symptoms.