Acidic coffee beverages can irritate the esophagus and exacerbate symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some individuals suffering from acid reflux report that switching to low-acid varieties helps ease discomfort.

Low-acid coffees typically contain less antioxidants than their regular and decaf counterparts, yet still may contain some. If you just can’t give up coffee altogether, why not consider using coffee concentrate or cold brew to cut back on acidity levels in your drink?

If cold brew is out of reach or you need something sweet in your morning cup, add cinnamon. According to Cassetty, cinnamon adds flavor while providing sweetness without additional calories or added sugars.

While acidity levels vary from bean to bean, you can further lower them by selecting beans grown at higher altitudes and opting for shade-grown beans. Furthermore, roasting process can have an impactful effect – darker roasts often feature lower levels of acidity than lighter roasts and decaf coffee naturally contains less acidity than its nondecaf counterpart.

Cold brew coffee may offer the lowest acid content of all, which is made by using water that has been heated to lower temperatures. Because cold brew stays in contact with its grounds for an extended period, less acids can be extracted than in traditional hot brewed methods that use hotter waters that steep for shorter times.