Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, but it’s also a beverage that some people associate with heartburn. Before you decide to completely avoid coffee, though, it may be worth doing some investigation. Certain types of coffee creamer may trigger heartburn, and you may be able to avoid heartburn by switching your creamer and using a low-acid brand of coffee, such as Alex’s Low-Acid Organic Coffee.

Fat Content and Heartburn

Cream and basic creamers are high in fat. A coffee made with a good amount of whole milk added to it, such as latte, can also be high in fat. Fat may be a trigger for heartburn, which is why a diet for heartburn or acid reflux may discourage fried foods and fatty meats. 

Fat can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, which can allow acid to come up from the stomach into the esophagus. The contact between acid and the esophagus leads to heartburn symptoms such as pain and a burning sensation. 

Dairy Creamers and Heartburn

Many creamers are dairy products, such as cream or milk, or they include dairy as an ingredient. If you have lactose intolerance, that can be a recipe for gastrointestinal distress after drinking coffee. You may be better off with a non-dairy creamer, such as one based on almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. 

Heartburn and Sweeteners in Creamers

Sugar may not directly cause heartburn, but too much of it may bother your stomach or cause your stomach to produce more acid to aid in digestion. The result may be heartburn. If you choose a sugar-free creamer, it may have artificial sweeteners. Some of these may relax the LES and lead to acid reflux heartburn. 

Artificial Ingredients and Heartburn

Artificial ingredients are common ingredients in creamers. They may include not only artificial low-calorie sweeteners, but also artificial flavors, artificial colors, and ingredients used to thicken the creamer. These can lead to symptoms of heartburn if they relax the LES or increase acid production in the stomach. It’s best here to notice your symptoms and the ingredients in your creamer to see if you can find patterns. Your healthcare provider may be able to help.

Low-Acid Coffee to Reduce Heartburn

Coffee creamer may play a role in causing heartburn, but it’s also important to look at what’s carrying your creamer: your coffee. Coffee is acidic, and is often blamed for causing heartburn. It’s not part of a low-acid diet normally. If you think acidic coffee may be partly to blame for heartburn when you drink coffee, consider getting coffee that’s lower in acid, such as Alex’s Low-Acid Organic Coffee. It’s high-quality and made with quality beans, but is specially processed to naturally lower acid content. 

If you’re a coffee lover, it can be devastating if you’ve noticed that drinking coffee causes heartburn. However, don’t give up just yet! It’s possible that something as simple as changing your creamer or choosing a low-acid brand of coffee, such as Alex’s Low-Acid Organic Coffee, may help. 

Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you have heartburn or other gastrointestinal symptoms, and to ask which foods and beverages may be best for you to choose and avoid to manage your symptoms and conditions.