Causes
The effects of caffeine on the human body are complex. The alkaloid promotes the activation of various organs and systems. As a result, acidity increases and a burning sensation in the stomach is noted.
Coffee beans contain many substances that lead to vasoconstriction. The result is impaired blood flow and disruption of the activity of the alimentary sphincter between the stomach and esophagus. Due to this, hydrochloric acid, the concentration of which increases significantly, begins to rise into the esophagus.
Most often, coffee causes heartburn if you bend over or lie down after drinking it. When performing such actions, some of the acid easily penetrates the esophagus.
From coffee with milk
Coffee lovers who suffer from a burning sensation in the stomach after drinking their favorite drink are recommended to drink coffee with milk. Dairy products can partially neutralize the effect of a natural stimulant, making it less aggressive. It is recommended to add low-fat milk (within 1-1.5 percent) to the invigorating liquid. Due to this, the drink will be more beneficial for the digestive tract.
However, even when drinking the drink in such a safe form, sometimes a burning sensation in the stomach cannot be avoided. If there are already existing problems in the gastrointestinal tract, symptoms appear regardless of whether the coffee contains milk or not.
From tea
It happens that negative changes are observed when drinking not only coffee drinks, but also tea. It contains components that also irritate the gastric mucosa. The reason for the burning sensation is its strength. Discomfort also occurs due to the consumption of a low-quality product or the addition of a large amount of sugar.
Both black and green tea can provoke the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.
It has been noted that the concentration of caffeine is significantly higher in green leaves. If you drink it warm with sugar, the risk of negative changes is quite high.
Mint and lemon balm are beneficial for the digestive system. With their help, it is possible to partially eliminate the symptoms. They contain a lot of useful substances:
- vitamins A and C;
- menthol;
- acetate;
- folic acid.
Herbal ingredients have a long-lasting effect. When drinking such teas, the acidity decreases for 3-4 hours.
From instant drink
There are no beneficial substances in instant coffee. According to doctors, increased acidity is most often observed when drinking instant drinks. If you drink such coffee, the risk of negative changes is significantly higher than in the case of a natural product.
In the process of making powder and granules, low-quality Robusta beans containing a large amount of caffeine are used. The total content of coffee tree fruit in instant coffee is no more than fifteen percent. Main composition of the product:
- stabilizers;
- flavor enhancers;
- amino acids;
- dyes;
- flavorings.
When drinking instant coffee, severe irritation of the stomach walls is noted. Naturally, in this case the frequency and intensity of attacks increases.
From natural
It is absolutely clear why coffee causes heartburn if it is prepared from instant granules. However, sometimes similar changes are observed when brewing a natural product. It also contains substances that negatively affect the digestive tract. Their maximum concentration is observed in coffee grounds. Therefore, if negative changes occur, it is recommended to stop preparing the drink in a Turk and use a coffee machine for this purpose.
Decaffeinated coffee will not help prevent the burning sensation. This is due to the fact that in its production they use Robusta grains, which are characterized by high acidity.
From coffee with cream
If you have digestive problems, a coffee drink with cream will help avoid heartburn. By adding this product, it is possible to slow down the process of gastric juice production. This is due to the presence of fats in the composition, which neutralize the effect of acids in the drink. But such coffee can also cause negative symptoms. As a rule, such changes are observed when it is consumed on an empty stomach and if the permissible daily dosage is exceeded.
Thanks to the cream, it has a tonic effect, the walls of the stomach are coated, and there is no harm to tooth enamel. In addition, the finished product acquires a more refined taste.
When eating sweets with coffee
Heartburn from coffee is often observed when consumed with sweets. This is primarily due to the fact that confectionery products contain heavy components, flavorings, and low-quality unnatural fats. Due to this, the symptoms become pronounced.
In addition, all sweets and sugar lead to irritation of the stomach walls, causing an increase in acidity and fermentation. As a result, excess hydrochloric acid ends up in the esophagus.
Natural
Ground black coffee is much healthier than instant coffee due to the absence of harmful additives. However, this does not mean that you can drink it without measure.
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The most dangerous ingredient is considered to be the grounds. Once in the stomach, grains of waste have a negative effect on it. Therefore, coffee and heartburn from it go hand in hand.
Is it possible to drink coffee if you have heartburn?
If you have serious problems with the digestive system, ulcers or gastritis, you will have to give up coffee drinks. This is the only right decision. A person needs to adhere to a diet that excludes all potentially dangerous foods - this is the only way to prevent relapses. In the absence of an inflammatory process, the situation is slightly different.
If there are no gastrointestinal diseases, drinking coffee for heartburn is allowed, but within reasonable limits.
A cup of your favorite drink will not do any harm. It is advisable to add milk to it. This will reduce the negative impact on the gastrointestinal tract.
Heartburn from coffee with cream
Coffee with cream is a good option, especially for people with digestive problems. Coffee and tea are drinks that stimulate gastric secretion. When using coffee with added cream, the process of gastric juice secretion slows down, since the fats contained in the dairy product neutralize the effects of the acids in the coffee.
Drinking coffee with cream reduces the likelihood of heartburn and makes the drink taste much more refined. This drink tones, envelops the stomach, gives tone and does not harm tooth enamel. Coffee lovers often complain about the appearance of yellow plaque on their teeth as a result of regular coffee consumption.
How to get rid of unpleasant symptoms
Unpleasant sensations that appear systematically in the epigastric region are a reason to contact a medical facility. It is quite possible that their appearance is not due to coffee drinks, but to the onset of a pathological process. The invigorating liquid helps to worsen the situation.
Provided that the burning sensation occurs only when drinking coffee, the following recommendations will help get rid of the unpleasant symptoms:
- reduce the number of servings consumed per day to the bare minimum;
- add dairy products to the composition;
- stop drinking an invigorating drink on an empty stomach;
- Do not drink coffee immediately after meals. You need to wait at least half an hour;
- do not add sugar;
- Excessively hot coffee causes maximum harm;
- Do not include citrus fruits.
Pharmacies dispense a lot of medications that help eliminate symptoms. The following are especially popular:
- Ranitidine;
- Gaviscon;
- Gevikson;
- Maalox.
Coffee drinks can cause heartburn. You can reduce the negative impact with the help of simple recommendations. If such symptoms are observed systematically, medical help is needed.
How does coffee affect the gastrointestinal tract?
Caffeine stimulates increased synthesis of ions by parietal cells, which combine to form hydrochloric acid. As a result, there is an activation of digestive enzymes, for example, pepsin (a component that increases the aggressiveness of gastric juice). Therefore, even a small amount of gastric juice entering the esophagus damages its mucous membrane, causing severe heartburn.
Caffeine stimulates the pancreas, increasing salivation and the production of special enzymes involved in the process of digestion of food. When coffee is drunk on an empty stomach, this eventually leads to the depletion of protective systems, resulting in pathologies such as duodenitis and gastritis, which, in turn, cause a decrease in sphincter tone and the throwing of food masses in the opposite direction.
Caffeine also affects the central nervous system, having an adrenergic effect, resulting in increased vascular tone. After drinking coffee, there is a weakening of blood flow, which directly affects the tone of the sphincter, since the muscles do not receive the required amount of oxygen and nutrients, plus metabolites and lactic acid accumulate in them.
Coffee contains many acids that have an acid reaction and reflexively increase the secretion of chlorine and hydrogen ions, which are combined in perchloric acid.
Under the influence of caffeine, the sympathetic zone is activated in the central nervous system and the parasympathetic tone decreases. And the gastrointestinal tract and esophageal sphincters are innervated by the parasympathetic part of the nervous system. As a result of a decrease in parasympathetic tone, the functionality of the pyloruses decreases, and heartburn appears.
Heartburn occurs an hour after eating food and coffee. Sometimes the cause of an unpleasant condition can be stress, various physical activities, especially affecting the abdominal muscles and abdominal wall.
It is recommended to use coffee infrequently, the maximum daily dose should not exceed 2 cups, and if heartburn appears after coffee, you should drink coffee even less often.
If you have high acidity, it is recommended to use coffee varieties imported from Brazil and Indonesia. Coffee beans produced in America and Africa contain high levels of acids and have a rich, sour taste.
The caffeine content in espresso significantly stimulates all cells of the nervous system. Strengthens the work of the heart, giving a temporary boost of energy. It is not advisable for patients with gastric pathologies to drink coffee, especially with high acidity. The main component of coffee provokes the release of hydrochloric acid. Because of this, the disease esophagitis manifests itself, the symptomatology of the disease is heartburn.
People who ignore doctors' recommendations by drinking a strong drink before breakfast contribute to the development of gastritis. There is a failure in food absorption, the functions of breaking down food are disrupted, and the patient begins to experience a burning sensation in the stomach area.
Thanks to caffeine, the glands of the gastrointestinal tract are stimulated, including in the liver, pancreas, and oral cavity. Because of this process, the organs function at full capacity. Such changes lead to further inhibition of their activities. Adversely affects the functioning of all digestive systems.
Heartburn from coffee and sweets
Sugar and sweets can irritate the gastric mucosa, cause fermentation and increased acidity, as a result of which excess hydrochloric acid appears in the stomach and esophagus. It is recommended to drink coffee and tea without sugar or with a small amount added, especially when there are digestive problems.
It is customary to drink coffee with sweets, cookies, cakes, and candies. All confectionery products contain rather heavy ingredients, low-quality unnatural fats, flavorings, and consuming such products together with coffee can increase the negative impact of the drink, causing heartburn.
