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The Effect of Caffeine on GERD

Coffee and caffeine intake, as well as other factors, such as stress, eating before bedtime and tight-fitting clothing, are traditionally thought to increase GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). GERD is marked by heartburn and can cause erosion of the esophagus over time by the upwards sloshing of stomach acid.

  1. Weight Loss & Incline Sleeping

    • Losing weight and sleeping with your head and shoulders elevated may be more effective than dietary approaches to curing GERD. These interventions may be more effective than dietary interventions, such as eliminating caffeinated beverages.

    Caffeine & Stomach Valve Pressure

    • Caffeine may increase stomach acid and thereby reduce the pressure on the stomach valve, which releases stomach acid into the esophagus. An experiment by University Hospital in the Netherlands showed that exercisers who ingested a sports drink with caffeine had a lowering of stomach pressure after ingestion of the drink, indicating that the caffeine might in some way induce the symptoms of GERD. The effect of the caffeine ingestion in this experiment, however, was not statistically significant.

    Caffeine & Inflammation

    • The symptoms of stress caused by caffeine can cause further inflammatory process when a person is already experiencing gastric reflux. The body releases stress hormones that can produce inflammatory cytokines. Increasing the inflammatory process may further irritate a person's symptoms with GERD.

    Caffeine & GABA

    • Caffeine may inhibit the functioning of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA), a chemical found in certain foods that make us feel good. Caffeine may prevent GABA from providing its feel-good effects in the body and thereby indirectly affect symptoms of stress associated with GERD symptoms.

    Stomach Content & GERD

    • If you have an ulcer or other inflammatory or infectious condition of the stomach, talk to your doctor about your risk for GERD. There is further evidence to suggest that the internal stomach environment (such as diet and acid content) may play a role in GERD. Inflammatory conditions such as stomach ulcers have been shown to make the stomach vulnerable to GERD.

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