Having a cup of coffee in the morning is the norm for many. It’s a must-have jolt of energy to chase away the morning blues, and many drink it for its delicious flavor and health benefits. Caffeine helps boost cognitive performance, aids in weight loss, and reduces the risk of diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke. But coffee doesn’t sit well with everyone.
Excessive amounts of coffee or having it on an empty stomach can result in gas and bloating. These side effects might also be from the acid content or added cream and sugar. Try adjusting your drinking habits, opt for coffee that’s low in acidity, and use non-dairy milk to avoid gas and bloating.
The perfect amount of coffee and the best sweeteners vary from person to person, since every body reacts differently to the drink. Let’s take a look at how drinking coffee can cause bloating and what you can do to appease any stomach discomfort that results from a cup of joe.
Does Coffee Increase Gas and Bloating?

Drinking coffee can make some people gassy and cause bloating. There’re multiple reasons behind this. Coffee stimulates gastric secretions and boosts colon movement. Interestingly, the colon movement that results from one cup of coffee is almost equal to what you might experience after consuming a 1,000-calorie meal.
Drinking coffee can also cause acid reflux, which can make you gassy. A good cup of coffee contains natural sweetness together with a dash of refreshing acidity. The acidic nature of coffee is what gives it flavor.
Although the acid content in coffee is very low compared to soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, it’s still there. Some of these acids are good, but some are bad. Some are eliminated during the roasting process, while others remain. Even the smallest amount of acid content can result in some physical discomfort.
Despite these unwanted side effects, coffee drinkers often can’t imagine a life without the drink. The delicious aroma is irresistible to many, and there are numerous mental and physical benefits of drinking coffee. It helps boost short-term memory and optimizes your metabolism, among other things.
Let’s look at some reasons why coffee can produce gas and bloating:
Additives
Using cream and a little sugar in your coffee may help enhance its flavor and texture, but these additives aren’t going to help your bloating problem.
The same is the case with artificial sweeteners. Your body doesn’t break down artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sorbitol as efficiently as natural products, resulting in belly bloat.
It’s also possible that the creamer or milk you use in your coffee is causing issues, especially if you have lactose intolerance.
Coffee is typically a healthy beverage, but adding sweeteners and other additives won’t only increase your chances of bloating — it can also lead to belly fat over time.
Dehydration
Dehydration can result in fluid retention, which might be the cause of your bloating. Caffeine is a mild diuretic. This means that drinking too much caffeine can result in increased urine production. As a result, you will need to visit the bathroom more frequently. This is also the reason some people feel sleepy after drinking coffee.
Overconsumption
Coffee, like everything in life, should be consumed in moderation. The recommended amount of coffee is 400 mg per day, which comes to a maximum of about 5 cups.
Drinking above the recommended amount can result in stomach stress and bloating.
Sensitive Stomach
Some people also have unusually sensitive stomachs. Even though the acid content in coffee is fairly low — about the same as is found in tomatoes or watermelons — it might still cause abdominal discomfort and bloating in these people.
However, if your stomach doesn’t act up when you eat tomatoes, watermelon, or other foods that have low acid content, it’s quite possible that the acid content in your coffee isn’t the problem. It’s the caffeine!
It’s possible that your stomach is sensitive to caffeine. Although caffeine offers a wide range of benefits, it’s known as a stomach irritant in its molecular state. Caffeine can make your digestive system work faster as it tries to remove all traces of the substance.
Increased acid production can also be caused by caffeine, which is why you might be experiencing bloating or general discomfort.
Drinking Coffee on an Empty Stomach
Sometimes, the issue isn’t the caffeine or the acids; it’s your coffee drinking habits. Many people drink coffee in the morning on an empty stomach, which can result in bloating.
Coffee is a pretty intense drink with a rich, bold flavor and a complex chemical make-up.
Having such a strong drink on an empty stomach is sure to create some issues. The caffeine and acids present in your coffee won’t have any food to work on, which can cause discomfort, an upset stomach, and bloating.
Stress
Being stressed can lead to increased cortisol production, which can put your body under quite a lot of pressure. Be sure to relax, meditate, or do any other thing that helps to reduce your stress levels. Drinking coffee while you’re already stressed can result in stomach bloat.
Cortisol Reaction
Another reason why you might experience bloating after a cup of coffee is because your body is simply unable to handle how it’s affected by the coffee compounds. Whenever you drink coffee, your body produces a hormone known as cortisol. This hormone is also produced by the body when it’s either scared or stressed.
The human body is unable to differentiate between danger and a caffeine fix. Its stress response is the same. Your blood sugar level increases. This excess sugar then turns into fat, which is typically stored around your mid-section and contributes heavily to bloating.
Drinking Black Coffee
Most people prefer to have their coffee black because they don’t want to adulterate the true flavor of the coffee. However, consuming black coffee could very well be the reason why you’re feeling bloated. Black coffee is more acidic and can cause some swelling.
Drinking black coffee or espresso (we cover the differences in our post) can also overexcite the digestive tract. You might feel mini spasms in your stomach, which can make you gassy and bloated.
Although both these conditions are temporary, you’ll nonetheless feel uncomfortable and might have to deal with a distended stomach as well.
How Do You Avoid Gas From Coffee?

Having a bloated stomach due to coffee can be frustrating as well as uncomfortable. Some quick ways to relieve bloating are to take a bath, go on a brisk walk, or eat something that has potassium in it. Another great tip is to add a few cups of Epsom salt (on Amazon) to your bath, as it’s known to help in weight loss.
Now let’s consider some additional ways to counteract and reduce the bloat from coffee:
Keep Yourself Hydrated
It’s vital to keep yourself hydrated while drinking coffee. Coffee has a mild diuretic effect, which means frequent trips to the bathroom. To counter that, you should drink plenty of water between cups of coffee.
Exercise
Walk your dog, get on your stationary bike, or take out your yoga mat and hit your favorite poses. Exercising and moving around is a great way to help with digestion and relieve belly bloat.
Go for Stomach-Friendly Coffees
Coffees that are low in acid content are much better for people with sensitive stomachs or those who experience bloating. Be sure to carefully examine the information provided on the packaging of your coffee to ascertain its level of acid content.
Typically, coffee beans found at lower altitudes have a lower acidic content. Make sure you do your research before choosing a coffee brand.
Sip Your Coffee Slowly
Take your time while drinking your coffee. Sip it; don’t chug it. Enjoy every mouthful and give your body time to digest your drink
Change Your Coffee Drinking Habits
Another option that you can try is to change your brewing method. Instead of using hot water to brew your coffee, use cold water. Sure, it’s going to taste a bit different, but the coffee brewed in cold water has up to 66% less acid content.
It’s also a viable option to switch to decaf. There are countless brands that offer decaf, which tastes almost as good as the caffeinated one. You’re sure to find a good match after a little trial and error.
If decaf isn’t an option for you, then try cutting down on the number of coffee cups you drink daily. For instance, If you have an average of five cups daily, cut it down to two or three. You’re sure to see some major improvement in your bloating situation.
Skip the Creamer and Milk
Avoid taking cream or milk with your coffee since it may also be the reason for your bloated stomach. You might be lactose-sensitive or lactose-intolerant, and forgoing dairy products could be the only solution.
If you don’t like black coffee, try switching to a non-dairy creamer (on Amazon) or plant-based milk to fix your bloating issues.
Eat Foods Rich in Potassium
If you can’t cut down on your coffee intake, then make sure to eat lots of fresh fruits that are rich in potassium, such as bananas. They are alkaline in nature, and eating them helps to neutralize the acidic content present in your coffee.
Take Supplements
Taking digestive enzymes (on Amazon) regularly can also help your bloated stomach. Some supplements help to prevent flatulence even after you eat fibrous vegetables such as cabbage or cauliflower, while others offer a boost of magnesium.
Aim for Low Acidity Levels
If the acid content in your coffee tends to overexcite your digestive tract, try switching to substitutes like green tea. Give your stomach a break by taking a gentler approach to your morning brew.