Coffee, a beverage enjoyed by so many all over the world, has some legitimatehealth benefits.
It can also improve mental focus (which is probably why you drink it!
If you’re a coffee lover, chances are you’re not interested in parting with this morning ritual.
Why coffee can cause stomach and gut irritation.
Even among healthy people, coffee can sometimes aggravateheartburn, acid reflux, and stomach pain.
That’s because coffee beans contain natural acids that increase in concentration with roasting and brewing.
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Coffee can also loosen the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscles that separate the stomach from the esophagus.
How to make coffee more gut-friendly.
The answer: It may depend on your particular situation.
Read the label and look for beans specifically marked “low acid.”
Surprisingly, the longer the beans are roasted, the less acidic they are.
However, dark roasts have a stronger flavor and contain other compounds that may cause sour stomach.
Try several to find one that suits your gut better.
Fun fact: you could also lower the acidity of your coffee if you brew it with alkaline water.
Try half-decaf coffee.
If that’s unappealing (or unrealistic!
), try a blend of regular and decaf coffee.
Try cold brewing.
Cold-brewed coffeemay be 65 percent less acidic than regular hot-brewed coffee.
Cold brewing extracts less acid and bitter compounds from the beans, which can make coffee easier to tolerate.
Cold brewing doesn’t mean you must drink your coffee cold.
you’re free to reheat cold-brewed coffee in a small pot or microwave.
Cover and shake well.
Let it steep in the fridge for at least 12 hours and up to 48 hours.
Shake it a few times during this period to see to it it’s combined.
Because the water is cold, this method requires more time to extract the flavors from the beans.
When done steeping, filter the coffee using acheesecloth, paper filter, or a fine sieve.
For convenience, make a large batch of cold-brewed coffee and store it in the fridge for two weeks.
Add eggshells to your coffee grounds.
Break anegg, wash the shell thoroughly, and break it into smaller pieces but not too small.
Mix it with ground coffee in your coffeemaker or French press.
As a rule, add one eggshell for four cups of coffee.
Skip the sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Sugar feeds bad gut microbes.
Start training yourself to enjoy coffee with less or no sugar.
Use dairy alternatives.
Sometimes it’s thedairy, not the coffee, that’s the problem.
So, if you suspect you have lactose intolerance, switch to lactose-free milk or plant-based milk.
A small amount of half-and-half (1 to 2 tablespoons) is also considered lactose-free.
Add hydrolyzed collagen.
This powder is designed to dissolve in hot or cold fluids.
Inside your body, they are easier to absorb than intact proteins.
I usually recommend one heaping tablespoon of unflavored collagen peptides for each 8 ounces of coffee.
Try chicory instead of coffee.
Of course, some people just can’t tolerate coffee.
The chicory root is harvested, dried, roasted, and ground.
The powder can then be used to make a beverage that tastes close to coffee.
Chicory root contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber that helps feed bacteria in your gut.
