Does Coffee Cause Bloating?

It’s 2024 — by now, we all know that our bodies change day to day, and there’s no such thing as a consistently perfect figure. Some days we fit into our jeans from high school, and on others, bloating can make us turn to our faithful joggers.

There are many things that can cause bloating, and we’re sorry to say that one of those things may be coffee. If you like to start your day with a steaming cup of joe, here’s what you need to know about the connection between coffee and bloating.

Does Coffee Cause Bloating?

The short answer is maybe — unfortunately, coffee might cause bloating in some people. Current research doesn’t have a definite answer on whether coffee is truly linked to digestive upset, but many people insist that coffee triggers or exacerbates issues like indigestion and bloating.

It may be possible that this bloating effect is due to a rise in certain gut bacteria after drinking coffee. Caffeine is also not recommended for people who have IBS or similar digestive conditions because it can cause digestive upset.

How Can You Avoid Bloating When Drinking Coffee?

If you catch yourself getting bloated after your morning cup of coffee, there are a few courses of action you can take. First, you’ll want to bring your concerns up with your primary care provider so they can check for potential underlying causes. In the meantime, here are a few other ways you can beat the bloat.

Switch to Low-Acid Coffee

Some of coffee’s irritating effects might simply be a reaction to the acidity of your coffee. The pH of coffee depends on where the coffee beans come from, how they’re roasted, and how they’re prepared. In general, though, the pH of coffee lies somewhere between 3.97 and 5.37.

If your Brazilian light roast is making you feel sick, you could try switching to a medium or dark roast from Ethiopia or Guatemala. Generally speaking, the lighter the coffee is, the more acid is in your cup.

Limit Caffeine Intake

For some people, the issue might not be coffee at all — in fact, caffeine itself can be a common trigger for feeling bloated. In this case, there are several options you can try.

For instance, green tea has significantly less caffeine than a cup of coffee. Decaf or half-caf coffee is another popular option. Remember, you don’t have to give up caffeine entirely; You can experiment until you find an amount that works best for you and your digestive system.

Try Mushroom Coffee Instead

We know how important it is to have a hot drink in the morning, which is why we’ve spent our time and energy developing a functional coffee that supports healthy digestion and encourages mental focus. And the best part? Our mushroom coffee contains coffee extract so that it tastes just like regular coffee — just with more benefits.

You can enjoy Everyday Dose mushroom coffee on its own as a hot drink or blend it up with some milk to make a mushroom coffee latte. Whatever you decide to do, you can rest assured that the joggers can stay in their drawer.

The Final Breakdown

There’s no definite research that shows a strong connection between coffee and bloating. That said, it may still contribute to bloating in some people, and many people still insist that coffee makes them feel bloated.

If you’re one of these people, try switching to low-acid coffee, limiting coffee intake, or swapping your regular coffee out for mushroom coffee. Learn more about the benefits of mushroom coffee by visiting the Everyday Dose blog today.

Sources:

Effects of Coffee on the Gastro-Intestinal Tract: A Narrative Review and Literature Update | PMC

Dietary fiber from coffee beverage: degradation by human fecal microbiota | PMC

5 Foods to Avoid if You Have IBS | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Acids in brewed coffees: Chemical composition and sensory threshold | PMC