Coffee vs. Tea for GERD
7:59 AM
Perhaps you’re used to
kick-starting your morning with a cup of coffee or winding down in the evening
with a steaming mug of tea. Can these beverages cause heartburn or other
symptoms of acid reflux? Can they lead to the more chronic problem of gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD)?
One
factor that can lead to reflux action is the type of foods and
beverages that you consume. This is because certain substances irritate the esophagus or weaken the lower esophageal
sphincter (LES), which prevents the backward flow of stomach contents and can
cause reflux.
If you suffer from
GERD, you may consider limiting your consumption of both coffee and tea, as
both relax the LES. However, some studies have suggested distinctions between
the effects of coffee and tea and the many types. Here’s what you need to know.
The Effects of
Caffeine on GERD
Caffeine—a
major component of many varieties of both coffee and tea—has been identified as
a common trigger for heartburn. However, some research suggests that it’s not quite
that simple. Studies on the effect of caffeine on GERD have yielded mixed
results.
A
study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics noted that, while coffee and tea have been commonly
believed to cause gastroesophageal reflux, the actual effects of the two
beverages previously hadn’t been determined. Therefore, the study aimed to
evaluate coffee and tea-induced reflux before and after a decaffeination
process. Researchers then compare the results with the effects of water and
caffeinated water.
The study found that
drinking regular (caffeinated) coffee led to significant reflux effects when
compared to tap water and caffeinated tea. On the other hand, drinking
caffeinated tea had effects on reflux symptoms comparable to the effects of
drinking water. Decaffeination of coffee significantly reduced reflux symptoms,
while decaffeination of tea had no such effect.
The study’s authors
concluded that while caffeinated coffee increases reflux—an effect that is less
pronounced after decaffeination—the same couldn’t be said of caffeinated tea.
Therefore, because caffeine doesn’t seem to be responsible for reflux, the
symptoms must be attributable to other components of coffee.
However,
a Stanford University
To Avoid or
Indulge?
With the jury still
out about caffeine’s effects on reflux, it can be difficult to know whether
GERD patients should avoid coffee or tea. The University of Maryland Medical
Center (UMMC) advises avoiding any type of acidic food or drink and includes
both caffeinated and decaf coffee on the list.
But
when it comes to coffee, some evidence suggests that going decaf may help
coffee drinkers avoid reflux symptoms. A study published inAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics concluded that drinking decaffeinated coffee rather than
regular coffee can decrease reflux in patients with GERD.
The
relationship between tea and GERD is similarly debated. While some medical
centers, including the Cleveland Clinic, recommend avoiding tea to avoid
heartburn, there is a fair amount of evidence that suggests tea doesn’t cause
reflux. Research published in the journal Gut reported that neither
tea nor coffee appear to be risk factors for GERD. Another study in the World Journal of Gastroenterology also found that tea didn’t influence reflux and found
drinking coffee to have only a mild association with reflux.
Conclusion
There are a few
caveats. While the majority of studies have focused on black (caffeinated) tea,
some types of herbal teas are in fact associated with GERD symptoms. For
example, peppermint and spearmint may cause heartburn—while using the enteric
coated tablet form of dried peppermint extract can actually help ease
heartburn.
The lack of consensus
in the scientific and medical community about the effects of coffee versus tea
on GERD symptoms suggests that knowing your personal tolerance for these
beverages is your best bet. If you’re uncertain about whether or not to avoid
coffee, tea, or both, talk to your doctor. They can help you identify your
individual triggers for GERD.
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