Coffee and Digestion

Does Decaf Have a Gentler Effect on the Stomach and Intestines?

Have you noticed that you can no longer tolerate caffeinated coffee as well as you did in the past? Does your morning coffee cause stomach pain, bloating, or even diarrhea, and are you now suspecting a coffee intolerance? Stomach irritations after enjoying this beverage are possible and can be attributed to various causes. Both psychological and physical factors can affect your stomach and subsequently lead to coffee rejection. To overcome your stomach issues, a mindful and caffeine-conscious lifestyle with more serenity in daily life, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and restful sleep can help.

Stomach Acid

Caffeine has been shown to stimulate the production of stomach acid.

You can also avoid a stomach upset after drinking coffee by changing the coffee brand, roasting level, type of coffee, preparation method, or switching to decaffeinated coffee. During the decaffeination process, caffeine is removed from the coffee bean, which is known to stimulate the stomach to release hydrochloric acid. If your stomach issues are due to an increased production of stomach acid, consuming decaffeinated coffee may be more pleasant as the secretion of hydrochloric acid into the stomach occurs to a lesser extent. Studies have also gathered initial insights into how bitter compounds can inhibit the release of stomach acid. In this article, you'll learn more about the new findings related to decaffeinated coffee and its impact on the stomach and intestines.

What is the Difference Between Irritable Stomach and Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Most people have heard of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but there's also a counterpart called irritable stomach syndrome. They differ in symptoms and the affected areas of the digestive tract. People with an irritable stomach suffer from pain in the upper abdomen, extending to the esophagus, and report discomfort such as stomach pain and burning, nausea, vomiting, or heartburn. In contrast, irritable bowel syndrome usually causes changes in stool and pain in the lower abdomen. Here's what coffee drinkers should consider when consuming coffee and caffeine after receiving a doctor's diagnosis.

What is an Irritable Stomach and How Does Coffee Affect It?

The effect of coffee on the stomach is highly individual. For accurate classification of what causes your stomach issues, a thorough examination is essential. This process helps rule out any diseases and brings your body back into balance. The medical term for an irritable stomach is dyspepsia, and it encompasses several non-specific complaints. Symptoms include pain, early satiety, bloating, heartburn, belching, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite. Irritable stomach syndrome is a condition that has no definitive organic cause. It is known that negative stress, emotional strain, alcohol, smoking, and obesity can worsen symptoms.

Irritable stomach is diagnosed through a process of elimination, where foods with potential to irritate the stomach are removed one by one, and the patient's well-being is documented after each step. Coffee is one of the foods excluded. It is well known that coffee, or caffeine, stimulates the secretion of stomach acid. A caffeine-free diet can have a positive impact on stomach diseases such as an irritable stomach, gastritis, or gastric ulcers.

For recurring stomach issues after consuming coffee, our recommendation is:

• Avoid stress
• Rule out stomach diseases
• Review your eating habits
• Ensure adequate movement and sleep
• Adapt your coffee consumption to how your body reacts.

If you want to avoid the stimulating effect of caffeine on stomach acid production, you should reconsider your intake of caffeinated beverages.

What Are the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Does Coffee Have an Impact?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), also known as nervous bowel or spastic colon, is characterized by chronic symptoms that occur in episodes. As uncomfortable as it may be to investigate and diagnose IBS, it’s important to rule out inflammatory bowel disease medically. Food intolerances can be excluded through blood tests, elimination diets, or other examinations. IBS patients commonly complain of typical symptoms such as lower abdominal cramps, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and frequent bowel movements. Coffee has the potential to stimulate bowel contractions. Studies have shown that decaffeinated coffee even has a more pronounced effect in this regard. Therefore, consuming decaf may help relieve constipation, while people with diarrhea could benefit from avoiding coffee or decaf.

Here are actions that can help with irritable bowel syndrome:

• Keep a food diary to track food tolerances.
• Get enough exercise to prevent a sluggish bowel.
• Establish balanced and sufficient eating habits.
• Monitor the intake of fiber-rich foods, as they shorten transit time through the intestines.
• Document coffee consumption, as it can stimulate bowel movements.
• Instead of large meals, eat several smaller portions throughout the day.

What Effect Does Decaffeinated Coffee Have on the Digestive System?

You’re probably familiar with the situation when you find it difficult to get through the rest of your workday without a coffee after lunch. A coffee or espresso after a meal is supposed to stimulate digestion and, ideally, prevent that post-lunch slump. The bitter compounds in coffee (like caffeine) can help stimulate digestion by increasing stomach acid secretion.

Stomach cells, such as parietal cells, can release hydrochloric acid into the stomach to create an acidic digestive environment. On an empty stomach, a highly acidic pH level of 1 – 1.5 is typical. When food enters the stomach, the pH level increases to around 2 – 4. At the same time, the stomach acid contains the enzyme pepsin, which aids in protein digestion. The acidic environment kills microorganisms and breaks down food so the body can absorb nutrients. It’s known that caffeine stimulates the production of stomach acid. However, both coffee and decaffeinated coffee have additional effects on various parts of digestion.

In summary, these effects can be summarized as follows:

• Coffee aromas, perceived through smell or visual cues, trigger the release of digestive juices via the vagus nerve.
• Gastrin is a hormone that initiates the release of stomach acid. Caffeinated coffee stimulates gastrin secretion more effectively than decaffeinated coffee.
• Both coffee and decaffeinated coffee help protect the liver and promote liver health.
• Coffee and decaffeinated coffee can gently stimulate bowel activity and may help prevent colon cancer.

How Does Decaffeinated Coffee Affect Stomach Health and Prevent Over-acidification?

To protect your stomach and prevent over-acidification, you should opt for decaffeinated coffee. This is a good choice because decaf is often perceived as gentler on the stomach. The acidic nature of stomach juice is created by the hydrochloric acid produced by the parietal cells in the stomach lining. The secretion of acid is initiated when, for example, the hormone gastrin stimulates the cells. Studies have shown that caffeinated coffee is more effective in stimulating gastrin release than decaffeinated coffee. As a result, the production of stomach acid is more pronounced with caffeinated coffee.

Besides caffeine, the mix of coffee varieties (e.g., Arabica vs. Robusta) and the roasting level also affect the coffee's tolerability. Robusta beans naturally contain higher levels of caffeine than Arabica beans. Therefore, a blend of Arabica beans, which are also available decaffeinated or partially decaffeinated, may provide a more pleasant coffee experience. Additionally, darker roasts tend to have lower acidity, more bitter compounds, and a fuller body, while lighter roasts tend to have higher acidity.

During the roasting process, coffee beans undergo a dramatic transformation. Compounds such as chlorogenic acids and trigonelline are broken down or transformed. Chlorogenic acid produces various coffee characteristic aromas, and trigonelline becomes the only vitamin in coffee, niacin (vitamin B3), as well as pyridine. Chlorogenic acid also has the potential to stimulate stomach acid. Another substance that is formed during roasting, called N-methylpyridinium, inhibits the production of stomach acid. The N-methylpyridinium content is therefore higher in dark roasted coffee than in light roasted coffee. Various roasting profiles, such as roast time and temperature, contribute to these differences. A 2013 study provided preliminary evidence that N-methylpyridinium may have health benefits related to energy production.

To reduce irritating substances, the outer wax layer of coffee is often removed, as it is suspected to contain irritants and bitter compounds that could contribute to stomach acid secretion. However, this has not yet been scientifically proven, so the term “gentle on the stomach” is no longer allowed on coffee packaging.

It’s suspected that the acids in coffee may lead to stomach over-acidification and cause discomfort in some people. These approximately 80 different acids are broken down and partially neutralized by dark roasting. Adding milk to coffee can help bind excess acids through the proteins and fats it contains. At the same time, milk’s nearly neutral pH of 6.7–7 can slightly increase the pH level of coffee. Decaffeinated coffee has not only had its caffeine removed, but its acidity profile has also changed. This could be another reason why decaf is often perceived as milder.

In conclusion, individuals who are sensitive to coffee should opt for dark roasted and decaffeinated coffee. However, stomach over-acidification may also have physiological causes that should be clarified by a medical professional.