Morning routines are personal. From the way you like your toast (P.S. here’s the healthiest way to make it!) to whether you prefer to roll out of bed or get a morning workout in, many of us are particular about how we start our days. Oftentimes, that includes a morning beverage. Sipping on a warm drink may be an essential part of your morning ritual. Unfortunately, though, choosing the wrong beverage could have negative effects on your health. In fact, there’s one popular choice that health experts warn could exacerbate indigestion and acid reflux: coffee.
That’s right: if you want to put an end to uncomfortable indigestion, it may be time to kick your coffee habit. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, which is why we brought an expert in to lay it all out for us. We spoke to David Seitz, MD, board-certified physician and medical director of Ascendant Detox, to learn more about why coffee is so bad for indigestion and what you can drink instead to avoid the issue. Read on for all of his insight!
Coffee
According to Dr. Seitz, "Coffee is probably the worst morning beverage when it comes to acid reflux." He says this is largely due to all the caffeine this drink packs in—which is unfortunately the same reason many of us drink it each morning. Although caffeine may give you the boost you need to get through the morning, it can also cause issues for your body.
"Coffee has a high level of caffeine, which can worsen symptoms of acid reflux by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)," Dr. Seitz explains. "The LES is the muscle responsible for keeping stomach contents from entering into the esophagus, and when it relaxes, acid reflux can occur." But this isn't the only issue coffee creates. He points out that it also "contains acids that can contribute to increased acidity in the stomach and digestive system, further increasing the likelihood of acid reflux occurring. For these reasons, coffee is often a key trigger of acid reflux in many people." Say it ain't so! While we're not saying everyone has to cut out coffee altogether, it may not be a bad idea to limit your intake if you frequently struggle with indigestion and want to avoid the issue.
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What to drink instead of coffee
If you can't do without your morning beverage, there are a few options to consider that may help keep indigestion at bay. "Rather than drinking coffee, it is recommended to opt for a beverage with less caffeine and acidity," Dr. Seitz suggests. "For example, herbal teas such as ginger or chamomile can be good alternatives since they are often non-acidic and lower in caffeine. Decaffeinated green tea may also be beneficial since it is still low in caffeine but richer in antioxidants." Perfect! If tea's not your thing, there's another simple beverage that could be exactly what you need—and could even help aid digestion: warm water with lemon or ginger. Yum! "If you find that these options are not enough, it may help to seek advice from your doctor or dietitian for suggestions on beverages that won't worsen acid reflux symptoms," Dr. Seitz concludes.
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