What Is the Connection Between Coffee and Upset Stomach?

Coffee creates acids that can cause an upset stomach, especially if the stomach is otherwise empty.
When the caffeine in coffee causes your heart rate to increase, it can lead to nausea.
People with acid reflux or other gastrointestinal problems may want to drink coffee that has less acidity.
Peppermint and chamomile teas can sooth upset stomachs.
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  • Written By: Summer Banks
  • Edited By: Michelle Arevalo
  • Last Modified Date: 27 September 2014
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The link between coffee and upset stomach can be related to caffeine and heartburn. The caffeine in coffee may stimulate production of stomach acids, causing heartburn. Heartburn can then cause upset stomach. Caffeine is a stimulant that increases heart rate which can be directly linked to nausea.

Coffee is available in caffeinated, half-caffeinated, and decaffeinated forms. Decaffeinated coffee has less caffeine than other types, but two to four milligrams (mg) of caffeine remains even after processing to remove caffeine. Half-caffeinated coffee typically has about 50 mg to 60 mg, and caffeinated contains about 100 mg to 120 mg.

Sensitivity to oral stimulants is one common cause of the coffee and upset stomach link. The caffeine in coffee can cause heart rate to increase, leading to nausea, dizziness, and irritability. Drinking coffee that is lower in caffeine may help reduce the side effect. Replacing coffee with tea may further lower caffeine intake, and any stomach problems associated with it.

People who are not sensitive to caffeine may also suffer from the coffee and an upset stomach connection. Caffeine overdose occurs when too much caffeine is consumed in a short period. Often referred to as coffee jitters, caffeine overdose is not typically life threatening but it can take hours for stimulation and nausea to go away.


Coffee also causes production of stomach acids which can lead to upset stomach. Stomach acids are typically produced when food is eaten, to start the digestive process. If no food is in the stomach, acids can cause irritation and upset stomach. Therefore, eating food while drinking a cup of coffee may counteract the feeling of nausea.

Some brands or styles of coffee are more acidic than others. Low acid varieties may not stimulate the release of as much stomach acid. Brewing with hot water may produce more acidic coffee. Cold-brewing is a viable alternative, but tends to take longer than hot-brewing. Using cold water to make coffee involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water for three to four hours, or overnight before straining them from the beverage.

Coffee allergy may be another source of the connection between coffee and upset stomach. Coffee contains tannins. Moderate symptoms of a tannin allergy include upset stomach. Pesticides and herbicides used during the growing phase are also linked to allergic reactions.

If coffee and upset stomach is a problem, alternatives to traditional coffee are available. Tea and soy coffee are two that are widely available in many grocery markets throughout the world. Before skipping coffee for good, other causes of upset stomach, like dairy or caffeine sensitivity, can be ruled out.


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Post 4

I'm so glad that coffee doesn't give me an upset stomach! I am addicted to getting my two cups a day, and without it, I think I would be extremely irritable and groggy. I might even put up with a little nausea in order to get my fix!

Post 3

I had a really potent gas station cappuccino while traveling to help me stay awake, and it made me sick. It tasted so good, but it was so loaded down with caffeine and sugar that it was more than my body was used to, and I couldn't process it very well.

On the bright side, I was very alert, but on the dark side, I was very jumpy and shaky. My hands were shaking, and I felt my heart beating like crazy in my chest. A little while later, I felt sick to my stomach, as though I might vomit.

I didn't want to eat until the next day. The coffee threw my whole system off balance.

Post 2

@Perdido – Even green tea can make you nauseous, if you drink too much of it. I had heard about the benefits of green tea for weight loss, so I had started drinking three cups a day.

Apparently, this was too much for my system. I got really sick at my stomach, and this made the tea very unappetizing to me afterward.

I'm not overly sensitive to caffeine, and I can drink coffee without any stomach issues. However, I think I'll be staying away from green tea from now on. If I hadn't overdone it in the first place, I might have been able to tolerate it, but now, the taste is ruined for me.

Post 1

My dad used to have a slightly upset stomach every morning after drinking his coffee. He never suspected that the coffee was causing this, until he started to drink green tea instead to lose weight.

After he switched to green tea in the morning, the nausea stopped. He felt so much better, and this inspired him to eat better throughout the day. That also contributed to his weight loss.

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