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If you find coffee gives you heartburn, it’s best to simply avoid it or limit your intake. Thus, whether coffee intake worsens acid reflux may depend on the individual.
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Yet, when researchers investigated the signs of acid reflux with a small camera, they found coffee consumption was linked to greater acid damage in the esophagus ( 40). Nevertheless, although several studies suggest that coffee and caffeine may worsen acid reflux for some people, the evidence is not entirely conclusive.įor example, one analysis of observational studies found no significant effects of coffee intake on the self-reported symptoms of GERD. Similarly to coffee, caffeine relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, which could cause reflux ( 39). Some evidence also points toward caffeine as a possible cause.
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Studies have found that coffee temporarily relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, increasing the risk of acid reflux ( 38).
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However, make sure to speak with a healthcare professional before attempting to lose weight to treat this condition. Losing belly fat and maintaining a moderate weight might relieve some of your symptoms of GERD. However, if you’re interested in this approach, make sure to speak with a healthcare professional to assess whether it’s right for you, and if so, how you can lose weight safely and sustainably. This condition, known as hiatal hernia, is considered the leading cause of GERD ( 21).įurthermore, research shows that having excess belly fat may be associated with a higher risk of acid reflux and GERD ( 22, 23, 24).įor this reason, some studies suggest that losing at least 10% of your body weight could significantly decrease symptoms of GERD in people with the condition ( 25).Īchieving and maintaining a moderate body weight can help reduce acid reflux in the long term. However, if you have excess belly fat, the pressure in your abdomen may become so high that the lower esophageal sphincter gets pushed upward, away from the diaphragm’s support ( 21). Normally, the diaphragm naturally strengthens the lower esophageal sphincter, which prevents excessive amounts of stomach acid from leaking up into the esophagus. The diaphragm is a muscle located above your stomach.