If you’ve ever felt nauseous immediately after sipping a cup of coffee, you’re not alone. Coffee is highly acidic and contains caffeine, both of which can make your stomach feel uncomfortable immediately after sipping a cup of coffee. This is more likely to be experienced by people with sensitive stomachs.
If you are one of those people who often feel nauseous after drinking coffee, you must be wondering, what causes this? This time you will be invited to learn what causes nausea after drinking coffee.
1. Acid content in coffee
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There are different types of acids found in coffee. This acid contributes greatly to the overall taste of the drink. Page explained CoffeeVibe.org, the acid in coffee is part of what makes it taste good. However, this acid can make the stomach feel nauseous and uncomfortable. This acid can injure or irritate the stomach lining.
To reduce your risk of experiencing this, choose a darker roast. This is because the acid level is much lower than regular roasts and it is hoped that this will reduce the risk of nausea.
2. Hormones
illustration of a woman drinking coffee (freepik.com/user18526052)
Coffee can also cause nausea because it affects hormones. Page explained Fluent in Hormonthe caffeine in coffee prevents the body from producing the hormone ADH or antidiuretic hormone. Without enough ADH in the body, the kidneys will stop absorbing water.
As a result, you will feel nauseous and have heartburn shortly after drinking coffee. Plus, you may also experience diarrhea.
Also Read: 5 Health Benefits of Drinking Coffee without Sugar for the Body
3. Coffee triggers acid reflux
illustration of someone having acid reflux (freepik.com/katemangostar)
Most coffees have a pH between 4.85 and 5.10, which is on the acidic side of the pH scale, according to a study in the journal Scientific Reports year 2018.
The environment of the stomach is already acidic, and since caffeinated coffee also contains acids, it increases the acidity in the stomach, which can lead to digestive problems. This acid can speed up digestion, which is why some people feel the urgent need to use the restroom after drinking coffee.
Explained site Cleveland Clinic, the acids in coffee can cause digestive symptoms, such as heartburn, acid reflux, and bloating. This symptom is caused by stomach acid that builds up in the esophagus and is usually caused by highly acidic foods and drinks, such as coffee.
For people who have acid reflux problems, drinking coffee can trigger nausea. Because coffee can trigger acid reflux, those with GERD are more prone to nausea after drinking coffee.
4. Drink coffee on an empty stomach
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Many people drink coffee straight away in the morning, even before breakfast. Well, this can be a cause of nausea after drinking coffee. Some people may even vomit after drinking coffee on an empty stomach.
Coffee is highly acidic when taken on an empty stomach, which can irritate the lining of the stomach and cause nausea in some people.
Not only because of the acidity in coffee, the caffeine in coffee is also a stimulant. Caffeine stimulates the secretion of stomach acid, a digestive juice that helps break down food, according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America year 2017.
This stimulates the release of gastrin, which causes stomach upset when it is produced in excess. It also makes you feel nauseous after drinking coffee.
5. Currently taking medication
medicine illustration (unsplash.com/Christine Sandu)
Nausea is a common side effect of the interaction of several types of drugs with caffeine in coffee. According to Livestrongthis can include antibacterial drugs, some antidepressants, and asthma medications.
To avoid side effects from caffeine-drug interactions, check labels carefully when taking any medication to avoid drug-food interactions.
6. Caffeine
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The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant that can affect many things in the body, from brain function to heart rate to blood pressure. It can also catalyze stomach acid production. The effects of caffeine can last for 6 to 12 hours.
The main problem with caffeine is that it increases the production of stomach acid, which can trigger stomach ulcers, nervousness, nausea and dizziness. According to CoffeeVibe.orgdrinking coffee on an empty stomach can increase the production of hydrochloric acid, which can cause severe stomach upset.
Also Read: 8 Effective Ways to Eliminate Sleepiness Without Coffee
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