Best Coffee For Acid Reflux

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The uncomfortable sensations brought about by having acid reflux episodes are a real knocker and can disrupt one’s productivity. But did you know that a cup of joe can solve your acid reflux woes? And to help you decide which would be the best coffee for acid reflux, today we’ll be featuring five coffee products that can best relieve its symptoms.

Our list will also feature some decaf options if you’re looking for the best decaf coffee for acid reflux.

Best Coffee For Acid Reflux – The List

1. Original Gold Coffee Pouches – Golden Ratio

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Golden Ratio’s Gold Coffee Pouches take all the best things about coffee and add their own Midas touch to it. This will be a great choice if you’re not a fan of dark roast coffee staining your teeth and troubling your gut and are still concerned about the acidic content. 

Golden Roast’s roasting method leaves the golden beans with little to no quinic acid, which gives the coffee its astringent effect and roughness on the stomach. Also, if you’re new to coffee and not into the usual bitter taste, you will surely love this golden coffee flavor for its light, tea-like, and slightly nutty texture.

The coffee beans are ethically sourced, fair trade, and sourced from Brazil and Ethiopia They are roasted at a temperature so low they never even reach the first crack (hence the gold) but still have a strong flavor. It’s also available in three flavors: original, spiced chai, or vanilla coconut. 

Pros 

  • Uses ethically sourced and fair trade coffee beans from Brazil and Ethiopia.
  • Light roasted
  • Zero calories per serving
  • Zero serving
  • Free shipping

Cons

  • A bit expensive
  • Not organic
  • Tea-like flavors might not be pleasing to most coffee lovers

Serving Suggestion

For hot brew

  • Pour 8 oz of boiling water over one Golden Ratio coffee pouch in a mug and let it steep for 5-10 minutes. 

For cold brew

  • Soak one Golden Ratio coffee pouch in 8 oz of water. 
  • Refrigerate for 12-18 hours. We recommend letting it steep while you sleep. The longer, the stronger it becomes.
  • Once you remove the coffee pouch, add ice and enjoy black or with your favorite add-ins. 

2. Perfect Low Acid Coffee – VitaCup

Delicious, purely brewed, and loaded with nutrients, Vitacup’s Perfect Coffee series is a great way to kickstart the day. Made with the finest organic Arabica coffee beans ethically sourced from Guatemala, it’s 100% USDA Organic and low on acid, so it’s perfect for those who have sensitive stomachs.

Thanks to its low acid content and rich dark roast, each cup is well-balanced with a smooth, clean finish with hints of chocolate that will leave the taste buds happy and will surely keep the mind awake and alert. A serving of Perfect Coffee lessens heartburn and indigestion. It contains various chlorogenic acid antioxidants that are proven to protect and maintain overall cell health and keep your gut health in check.

The product is available in four variants:

  • Perfect Low Acid Coffee Beans
  • Perfect Low Acid Ground Coffee
  • Perfect Low Acid Coffee Pods
  • Perfect Low Acid Coffee Instant Sticks

Perfect Coffee is non-GMO, 3rd party lab tested, and certified free from mycotoxins, chemicals, and pesticides to ensure the purity and quality of the product. It’s also vegan, keto and paleo-friendly and has no artificial ingredients to fit all diet types and maximize health benefits.

Pros 

  • Uses ethically-sourced coffee beans from Guatemalan farmers
  • 100% vegan
  • 100% USDA Organic and Fair Trade specialty Arabica coffee beans
  • Non-GMO
  • Keto/Paleo-friendly
  • Third-party lab tested
  • No mycotoxins, chemicals, and pesticides
  • Easy to prepare
  • Free shipping

Cons

  • Tends to leave an aftertaste
  • The flavor might not be pleasing to some consumers
  • Has typical after-effects of drinking coffee

Serving Suggestion

For Perfect Low Acid Coffee Beans and Perfect Low Acid Ground Coffee:

  • French Press (Coarse) – use 6 oz water, 1.5 – 2 tbsp., and brew for 4-5 minutes
  • Pour-Over Coffee (Medium) – use 6 oz water, 1.5 – 2 tbsp., and brew for 4-5 minutes
  • Drip Coffee (Medium) – use 6 oz water, 1 – 1.5 tbsp., and brew for 4-5 minutes
  • Espresso Machine (Fine) – use a single shot, 2 tbsps, and brew for 30 seconds.

For Perfect Low Acid Coffee Pods:

  • Load a single-serve pod into the coffee machine and choose the 8 fl oz option. Place the mug below the beverage outlet. Do not remove the foil seal before brewing. Allow pods to cool before removing them to recycle.

For Perfect Low Acid Coffee Instant Sticks:

  • Combine a packet with 6 oz of hot or cold water and mix well. Drink within 15 minutes to best enjoy the richness of the flavor. 

3. Lifeboost Coffee

Lifeboost Coffee will surely give that necessary boost to help you start the day right. Made with ethically sourced, handpicked Nicaraguan coffee beans that are slow-roasted, give you a rich, smooth brew with undertones of chocolate and caramel and zero aftertastes.

Those who have oral health issues, sensitive stomach, heartburn, acid reflux, gastric discomfort due to ulcers, gastritis, or GERD can now enjoy drinking coffee without having to worry about the acidity level since it’s medium roasted or higher, which means it has lesser acidic content than regular coffee (Lifeboost’s pH level is 6, compared to regular coffee brands that have 4.85 or lower), so it’s gentle on the stomach and on the teeth.

Lifeboost coffee beans are shade-grown above 5,700 feet in the mountains of Nicaragua and certified organic by the USDA, with no chemicals, pesticides, or artificial flavorings present. The coffee also undergoes sun-drying and testing by a third party to ensure that it’s free from mold and mycotoxins. 

The product is offered in Whole Bean and Pre-Ground and is available in light and dark roast variants.

Pros 

  • Uses ethically-sourced single-origin coffee beans from the highlands of Nicaragua
  • 100% vegan
  • 100% USDA Organic and Fair Trade
  • NFC-Certified
  • Non-GMO
  • Sun-dried
  • Third-party tested
  • No mycotoxins, chemicals, mold, and pesticides
  • Free shipping on the first order

Cons

  • Taste might not be pleasing to some consumers
  • Expensive compared to some brands.

Serving Suggestion

For ground: 

  • Mix 1 tablespoon (~10g) of ground coffee per 8 oz of hot water.

For whole bean:

  • French Press (Coarse), use 6 oz water, 1.5 – 2 tbsp., and brew for 4-5 minutes.
  • Pour-Over Coffee (Medium), use 6 oz water, 1.5 – 2 tbsp., and brew for 4-5 minutes.
  • Drip Coffee (Medium), use 6 oz water, 1 – 1.5 tbsp., and brew for 4-5 minutes.
  • Espresso Machine (Fine), use a single shot, 2 tbsps, and brew for 30 seconds.

4. Low Acid Coffee – Volcanica Coffee

Volcanica’s Low Acid Coffee is a masterful blend of natural low acidic coffees containing over 130 different coffee beans, including single-origin, estate, peaberry, decaf, and flavored, grown at lower altitudes. This coffee is a great substitute for those who might have acid-related sensitivity, so it’s easy on the stomach while still retaining its texture and flavor. 

Developing a lower acid (or more basic) coffee blend involves slowly roasting the beans that are naturally lower in acid, which ensures that the acidic components of the coffee are processed out and result in a higher pH ranging from 5.6 to 5.2. The brew has tones of chocolate, nuts, and even a hint of tangerine.

The beans are organically grown, and Rainforest Alliance and Fair-Trade Certified coffees are roasted in a state-of-the-art facility in Atlanta, Georgia. Available grinds are whole bean, drip grind, espresso, and French press. 

Pros 

  • Has a rich blend of different coffee beans
  • Responsibly sourced
  • Kosher-certified
  • 100% gluten-free
  • 100% vegan
  • Washed process
  • No aftertaste
  • Mild and smooth texture
  • Easy to use zip pack
  • 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed

Cons

  • Flavors might be agreeable to certain consumers

Serving Suggestion

  • French Press (Coarse) – use 6 oz water, 1.5 – 2 tbsp., and brew for 4-5 minutes.
  • Pour-Over Coffee (Medium) – use 6 oz water, 1.5 – 2 tbsp., and brew for 4-5 minutes.
  • Drip Coffee (Medium) – use 6 oz water, 1 – 1.5 tbsp., and brew for 4-5 minutes.
  • Espresso Machine (Fine) – use a single shot, 2 tbsps, and brew for 30 seconds.

5. Peruvian Dark Roast Coffee – Laird Superfoods

Nothing makes coffee more delicious when it’s all-natural, low on acid, sustainable, and ethically sourced. Laird Superfood’s Peruvian Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee is rich-tasting, aromatic, and smooth but is gentle on the teeth and the stomach, the ideal cup of joe to fuel the day’s grind. 

The beans are grown at an altitude of 4,000+ feet and are hand-picked to ensure the ripeness and quality of each & every coffee cherry, which are then wet-processed and carefully dried to prevent the cherry from affecting the taste. Laird slow roasts the coffee beans in a specialized drum roaster to process our valuable beans in small batches. The medium roast flavor stays fresh longer due to its proprietary packaging system that keeps the air out completely, even if left for six months without opening.  

Pros 

  • Uses ethically-sourced coffee beans 
  • 100% vegan
  • Dairy-free
  • Soy-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Paleo-friendly
  • Non-GMO
  • 100% USDA Organic and Fair Trade
  • Third-party tested
  • Great taste

Cons

  • Occasional mix up with orders (Some customers received beans instead of ground coffee)

Serving Suggestion

For ground: 

  • Mix 1 tablespoon (~10g) of ground coffee per 8 oz of hot water. This offers approximately 100mg of caffeine per 8 oz. serving. 

For whole bean/ground:

  • French Press (Coarse), use 6 oz water, 1.5 – 2 tbsp., and brew for 4-5 minutes.
  • Pour-Over Coffee (Medium), use 6 oz water, 1.5 – 2 tbsp., and brew for 4-5 minutes.
  • For Drip Coffee (Medium), use 6 oz water, 1 – 1.5 tbsp., and brew for 4-5 minutes.
  • For Espresso Machine (Fine), use a single shot, 2 tbsps, and brew for 30 seconds.

What Is An Acid Reflux, And How Does It Affect The Body?

Acid reflux is a painful burning sensation in the middle of your chest caused by the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (valve). Normally this valve closes tightly after the food enters the stomach. If it relaxes, your stomach contents rise back up into the esophagus. Stomach acids flow back up into the esophagus, causing reflux.

This burning usually happens after eating, though it can occur anytime. For some people, an episode worsens when they recline or lie in bed, which makes it harder to get a peaceful night’s sleep.

Aside from the burning sensation in the chest, other symptoms include: 

  • Chest pains
  • Problems with swallowing.
  • Regurgitation of food or sour liquid.
  • The feeling of a lump in your throat.

The most common cause of acid reflux is eating food that’s acidic or high in fat—like grains, sugary foods, certain dairy products, processed meats, fish, citrus fruit, protein-rich snacks/supplements, and spicy foods. Sometimes taking over-the-counter medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, sedatives, and blood pressure medications can trigger an episode. 

How Does Coffee Work Against Acid Reflux?

Coffee is one of the items we included in our ‘avoid’ section for our 7-day acid reflux diet plan.

But, after water, coffee is perhaps the important beverage of the day for millions of people around the world, and at this point, you might be wondering, how can an acidic drink like coffee relieve acid reflux? And how do you know if a coffee variant is acidic or not? 

Light roast coffees and those made from Arabica beans tend to have the highest acidic content, while the darker the roast is, the less acidic they become. Espresso beans are medium roasted, so they are less acidic. Similarly, cold brews, mushroom, and chicory coffee blends are also low on acid and would be better options for people with acid reflux and gastrointestinal problems. 

Consuming caffeinated food products also triggers the amount of acidity of gastric secretions and may relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which makes it easier for acid reflux and heartburn to take effect. Black coffees and lattes tend to have high caffeine content, and some soft drinks, energy drinks, black and green tea, guarana, and yerba mate. 

Since coffee acidity tends to cause other adverse health effects, most manufacturers have started producing coffee products with a lowered acid content. Drinking low acid coffee can counteract or neutralize the symptoms and effects of acid reflux.

Low acid coffee also offers the following health benefits

  • Promotes better digestion – Drinking low acid coffee should be more tolerable for coffee lovers who have acid reflux, heartburn, GERD, and other gastrointestinal problems. It can also reduce bloating, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and sensitivities to gluten or lactose, making flare-ups less likely than when drinking regular coffee.
  • Helps with fitness goals – Less acidic coffees may help fitness junkies with acid refluxes experience less burning sensations and help them perform their workouts easily. 
  • Oral health –  Unlike regular coffee, low acid coffee will cause less erosion of the enamel on the surface of your teeth and will not discolor them even if drunk constantly.
  • Richer in antioxidants – Studies have shown that roasting coffee beans for a shorter amount of time can yield a higher content of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in low acid coffee, making it much healthier than regular coffee

Takeaway

Switching to low acidic coffee is a great way to continue enjoying the rich flavors of coffee without experiencing the symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn, and other gastrointestinal problems and damage to one’s oral health. 

Methods like cold brewing or using a French press with a coarse grind help maximize the benefits of low acid coffee, retain much of its antioxidant properties and drop the need to use a lot of cream/milk and sugar that are loaded with calories. It’s also fun to grind the coffee beans yourself or use a Keurig machine to blend pre-ground coffee or pods. zzzzzzzzz

Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.

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