![\"Does](\"https:\/\/blueheronhealthnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Coffee-Acid-Reflux.png\")
Some people find that coffee gives them acid reflux or heartburn.<\/p>\nSome people find that coffee gives them acid reflux or heartburn.<\/p>\n
Others swear it has no effect at all.<\/p>\n
To find out who is right, a new study published on the Preprints<\/em> platform conducted a large review of dozens of previous studies from across the world.<\/p>\n And the answer will surprise you (whether you believe coffee is good or bad for acid reflux).<\/p>\n The researchers looked at human and animal studies on coffee and upper gastrointestinal issues.<\/p>\n They evaluated the findings using nine specific scientific criteria known as the Bradford Hill principles. <\/p>\n These include looking at whether coffee actually causes a condition or if it\u2019s just associated with it, whether higher intake means worse symptoms, whether it works through a biological mechanism, and more.<\/p>\n After all this effort, the evidence remains completely muddled:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 2.\tMany studies contradict each other. For example, coffee was linked to a 49% lower risk of esophageal cancer in one study, but to a 24% increased risk of gastric cancer in another.<\/p>\n 3.\tThe lack of consistent findings across different studies weakens the case for causality. Some studies showed strong links (e.g., UK Biobank showed consistent risk increases for acid reflux and digestive cancers), while others (e.g., FinnGen) did not replicate these results.<\/p>\n 4.\tIn most studies, coffee was linked to multiple conditions (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, gastric and esophageal cancers), not just one. Lack of a unique link to one specific disease also weakens the case that coffee causes acid reflux.<\/p>\n 5.\tThe strongest associations between coffee and acid reflux were found in women, overweight individuals, fasting reflux patients, and those genetically predisposed to heartburn.<\/p>\n 6.\tIn acid reflux patients, coffee increased symptoms only when consumed during fasting. After meals, it didn\u2019t have the same effect.<\/p>\n 7.\tCoffee seems to affect people differently. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine due to body weight, gender, or genetics.<\/p>\n 8.\tCertain brewing methods and whether the coffee is caffeinated or not also seem to matter.\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n The reality is that research currently cannot say for sure. There\u2019s quite a lot of evidence that coffee drinkers are more likely to have acid reflux, but it\u2019s definitely not a strong enough association to be considered causal. It might work through other conditions.<\/p>\n And try to drink your coffee after meals instead of on an empty stomach (like early morning).<\/p>\n But why not eliminate your acid reflux completely?<\/p>\n\n