Is Iced Coffee Better for Acid Reflux? This is The Least Acidic Brew

Ever wondered ‘Is iced coffee better for acid reflux?’ 

The other day I was thinking about coffee and whether iced coffee is a better option since my sister is suffering from acid reflux. Stick around, I’ve compiled a guide on acid reflux and the types of coffee that are less acidic and I also share brewing tips along the way. 

Let’s jump straight into it 

Is iced coffee better for acid reflux? 

Yes, iced coffee is better for acid reflux, especially Cold Brew. The process of making Cold Brew takes long (about 12 hours), but unlike dripping coffee, during this time less acidity is extracted from the coffee beans and mixed up with water, meaning that a Cold Brew is less acidic than other coffee types. 

What makes coffee acidic 

Similar to other fruit such as lemons and oranges, contain acidity. 

The areas it grows and the altitude are some of the main factors that affect the level of acidity in coffee. It contains a number of different acids that have an effect on its flavour and aroma. 

Here are some of the most common acids: 

• Citric
• Malic 
• Chlorogenic
• Acetic 
• Quinic
• Lactic

Another factor that affects the acidity level in coffee is the roast type; the longer coffee beans are roasted, the less acidity they contain, meaning dark roast coffee beans are less acidic than light roasts. 

Acidity in Cold Brew vs. iced coffee

In general, the acidity level in a Cold Brew is different from the one in iced coffee.

The reason is, iced coffee is brewed totally differently to cold brew. During the dripping process, lots of acidity is extracted from the coffee which ends up in the cup, while during the long process of making Cold Brew not much acidity is extracted, meaning that Cold Brew is less acidic than iced coffee. 

What about iced coffee and hot coffee? 

It really depends on the coffee you use for brewing and whether you take it black or with milk or creamer. 

But assuming that you use the same coffee beans for a hot and a cold black cup of coffee the iced one is going to be slightly less acidic as ice cubes contain water as they are going to melt, this is going to mix up with coffee bringing the acidity level down. 

How does coffee cause acid reflux? 

Let’s see first what acid reflux is.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux is a stomach issue where the contents in your stomach come back into the esophagus. The most common symptom of acid reflux is heartburn. 

Many people suffer from acid reflux nowadays, and as you might have guessed it, it’s wise to avoid foods and drinks that are high in acidity. 

The most common ones are: 

• Red wine
• Black pepper 
• Garlic
• Raw onions
• Chocolate
• Pastries
• Citrus fruits (lemon, orange, clementine)
• Coffee
• Tea
• Soft drinks
• Tomatoes

If you’re suffering from acid reflux, I suggest you give up on these products. For example, if you have too much coffee every day, I suggest you take a long break and let your body heal your stomach properly. 

How coffee worsens your stomach

Because coffee contains acid, it mixes up with the acid that exists in our stomach and can have a negative effect on it. More specifically, it stimulates the muscles in the lower esophagus, forcing our stomach to react which makes the stomach content flow up into the esophagus. 

Can I still drink coffee if I have acid reflux? 

I suggest you give up on coffee entirely if you’re suffering from acid reflux.

It’s NOT worth risking your health, although I get it, I also love coffee too much and can’t live without it, but health comes first and if I have to stop drinking coffee for a couple of months to heal my stomach, I would definitely do it.

When heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms stop, it’s wise to not start drinking too acidic coffee and introduce less acidic brew to your diet. For example, you can start drinking Cold Brew that is low in acidity and refreshing. 

How to make Cold Brew

The good news is that it’s pretty simple to make Cold Brew and you don’t need any fancy gear. 

All you need to do is:

A container 

Cold water 

Coffee beans/grounds

How to go about it: 

• Pour the cold water into the container and add the coffee beans/grounds
• Leave the beans to extract their aromas and flavours for about 12 hours and you’re good to go

Top tip: if you want your brew to be even less acidic you can use alkaline water which has 8-9 pH that makes it less acidic than normal water that has 7 pH.

Is iced coffee with milk good for acid reflux? 

In theory, yes it is a better option than black coffee.

For example, an iced latte is a better option than an iced espresso. The reason is, milk is less acidic than coffee; when you mix up milk with coffee your brew becomes less acidic. 

But I wouldn’t recommend switching to cold coffee with milk if your stomach issues persist. It’s a good idea to see a doctor that is going to guide you better with your stomach condition – nothing beats advice from a specialist. 

Let’s wrap it up

There you have it. Is iced coffee better for acid reflux? The answer is yes, especially Cold Brew is ways less acidic than hot dripping coffee. It’s not worth risking your health for your love for coffee. If you’re facing stomach issues, it’s wise to stay away from coffee for some time until symptoms like heartburn stop. Stay tuned, I’m going to be writing more articles about coffee, acidity, and acid reflux. 

FAQ

Do you have a burning question about iced coffee and acid reflux? Your questions are answered in this section. 

Which type of coffee is best for acid reflux?

Cold Brew should be your go-to option which is good news since it’s easy to make and it’s refreshing, ideal on a scorching day. But if you’ve been having acid reflux for some time now, I suggest you give up on coffee entirely, it’s NOT worth it – health comes first. 

Is iced coffee better than hot coffee for acid reflux?

In theory, yes, iced coffee is slightly less acidic than hot coffee as iced coffee has ice in it and when they melt and cold water is mixed up with coffee the pH of your drink goes up, meaning that it becomes less acidic. Do you want to learn a bunch of low-acid alternative drinks?