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Coffee for gastritis
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

What could be more pleasant than the smell of coffee in the morning, when you are still in bed or walking around the city past coffee shops. This drink has become an integral part of our lives and gives not only food pleasure, but is also a certain ritual that helps in business communication, with friends and relatives. Coffee is one of the most widely consumed drinks in the world. On the other hand, according to statistics, about 80% of people on the planet suffer from various stomach disorders. What to do in this case and is it possible to drink coffee with gastritis?
Can you drink coffee if you have gastritis?
Gastritis is a disease that requires a special approach to your diet. This term covers various problems in the digestive system, which must be identified by examination in a medical institution before deciding on food products. [ 1 ] Much in the diet depends on the pH of the stomach, the nature of the clinical picture, the localization of defects. In addition, there are varieties of grains, methods of processing and cooking. Therefore, there is no clear answer to the question of whether it is possible to drink coffee with gastritis. Let's dwell on different variants of pathology and determine in which cases it is better to abstain from the drink, and when to drink it.
Studies have found no association between coffee consumption and dyspepsia, but heartburn is the most common symptom after drinking coffee. Coffee has been shown to promote gastroesophageal reflux.[ 2 ],[ 3 ],[ 4 ] Coffee stimulates gastrin release and gastric acid secretion.[ 5 ],[ 6 ] Coffee also prolongs adaptive relaxation of the proximal stomach, suggesting that it may slow gastric emptying. However, other studies show that coffee does not affect gastric emptying or small bowel transit. Coffee induces cholecystokinin release and gallbladder contraction, which may explain why patients with gallbladder symptoms often avoid drinking coffee. In some people, coffee increases rectosigmoid motility for 4 minutes after ingestion. Its effects on the colon have been found to be comparable to those of a 1000 kcal meal. Since coffee contains no calories and its effects on the gastrointestinal tract cannot be attributed to its volume load, acidity, or osmolality, it must have pharmacological effects. Caffeine alone cannot explain these gastrointestinal effects.[ 7 ]
A 2013 cross-sectional study of 8,013 healthy individuals in Japan found no association between coffee consumption and gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, reflux esophagitis, and nonerosive reflux disease.[ 8 ] Daily coffee consumption may reduce the risk of stomach cancer in high-risk groups, particularly among women.[ 9 ]
Coffee for gastritis with high acidity
Roasted coffee (the kind we consume) contains caffeine and chlorogenic acid, which causes its bitter taste and aroma, as well as acids formed from fiber and fats of green beans as a result of their heat treatment. They are aggressive towards the inner wall of the stomach, causing excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid and increased inflammation of the stomach epithelium.
In addition, coffee irritates the intestines. Among the effects of drinking the drink on an empty stomach, after half an hour, depending on the characteristics of the body, flatulence, the urge to visit the toilet, abdominal pain, and diarrhea are observed.
Is it possible to drink coffee if you have atrophic gastritis?
This type of gastritis is characterized by changes in the structure of the mucous tissue and glands that produce gastric juice. Their gradual death along with inflammation leads to the organ being unable to digest food and absorb the necessary and useful substances for the body. Acidity can be either increased or decreased.
The diagnosis is dangerous due to its consequences and requires a careful and systematic diet. Coffee is contraindicated for atrophic gastritis.
Is it possible to drink coffee if you have erosive gastritis?
The causes of erosive gastritis are improper nutrition, alcohol abuse, injuries, medications, and stress. It is expressed in damage to the surface layer of the stomach lining, the formation of erosions. Intensive secretion, the ingestion of solid food fragments, too hot or cold food aggravate the situation, leading to acute conditions.
A well-thought-out diet, a balanced diet along with drug treatment with antacids that neutralize stomach acids, antibacterial agents. The main task of the diet is not to cause excessive secretion of caustic, destructive mucous surface, secretion. Coffee is on the list of harmful products.
Coffee for gastritis and pancreatitis
Aggravation of gastritis by another diagnosis related to the pancreas, the treatment of which is even more dependent on proper nutrition, puts a final ban on coffee. However, research has shown that coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of alcoholic pancreatitis, some ingredients in coffee can have a modulating effect on the pancreas. [ 10 ] The results of a 2011 meta-analysis suggest that there is an inverse relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer, that is, coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer in men, while this relationship was not observed in women. [ 11 ]
Coffee for gastritis and ulcers
Often, the result of chronic inflammation of the stomach is the formation of ulcers. If erosions do not violate the integrity of the mucous membrane deeply, and when healing, they do not leave a trace, then the ulcer affects the muscle and when tightened, a scar is formed. It occurs against the background of increased and normal pH. It is unreasonable to provoke an unnecessary release of gastric juice, so it is best to refuse coffee with an ulcer.
Coffee for exacerbation of gastritis
The chronic course of the disease is characterized by both periods of calm and exacerbations. They make themselves known by pain in the epigastric region, nausea, vomiting, weakness and malaise. The best thing you can do for the stomach during this period is to give it a rest from work.
The first day you need to fast and drink a lot of plain warm water. Then start with small portions of viscous soups, milk porridges, kissels and neutral-tasting compotes. Coffee and cocoa are strictly taboo.
But should lovers of the tasty drink completely deprive themselves of pleasure when they have gastritis? During persistent remission, it is allowed in limited doses, but with the observance of certain rules.
How to drink coffee if you have gastritis?
In most cases, a reasonable person is not his own enemy, so, sensibly assessing his condition, he can allow himself a cup of coffee a day, following these tips:
- you can't drink on an empty stomach, but only an hour after eating;
- cook from natural ground grains and do not use instant coffee with various additives;
- do not drink hot or strong drinks;
- add milk to it.
- Coffee with milk for gastritis
Milk can neutralize stomach acidity, reduce their concentration in coffee. So the drink has a much softer effect on the organ. After drinking, you should listen to your body and, if there are no negative symptoms, allow yourself to drink without overindulging.
- Decaffeinated coffee for gastritis
It would seem that decaffeinated coffee could be the way out of the situation. For some reason, it is considered completely safe. If this statement has grounds in relation to the cardiovascular system, then it can cause more harm to the digestive organs than regular coffee.
Firstly, the methods of obtaining it are unsafe: using a solvent or carbon dioxide, and secondly, it further increases the acidity.
- Is it possible to drink cocoa if you have gastritis?
Cocoa can be used as an alternative to coffee. In addition to good taste, it has many useful properties. It contains vitamins, folic acid, minerals, fats, protein - everything that is necessary for metabolism, strengthening the immune system. It has little effect on the production of hydrochloric acid. Therefore, cocoa with milk with increased pH is limited to a portion per day, with decreased pH - more is allowed.
- Tea for gastritis
Tea, like coffee, contains caffeine and tannin - substances that stimulate gastric secretion. At the same time, it contains many useful components that participate in the regeneration of the mucous membrane. By brewing a weak concentration, mainly green, you can enjoy it without restrictions with hypoacid gastritis, but with hyperacid gastritis you still should not abuse it.
It is good to prepare herbal teas using mixtures suitable for treating a specific diagnosis. Chamomile, St. John's wort, yarrow will help eliminate inflammation, heal the internal surface of the organ, plantain will increase acidity, etc. Adding honey (it is necessary to remember that a hot drink turns it into poison) will improve the taste and serve as an additional medicine.
- Chicory for gastritis with high acidity
Chicory imparts a bitterness characteristic of coffee, has many positive aspects: it helps to tighten erosions and ulcers, normalizes bowel function, removes toxins and waste, strengthens the immune system, has a positive effect on the liver (rich in natural antioxidants and is able to reduce hepatocellular damage), [ 12 ] gallbladder, and kidney function. At the same time, it increases the acidity of the stomach, so it can be drunk with hyperacid gastritis only during a period of stable remission.
What can you eat if you have gastritis?
The rules of nutrition for different types of gastritis vary, with the exception of exacerbations, when there are strict restrictions: with a low pH, it is designed to stimulate the production of gastric juice, with an elevated pH, on the contrary, to reduce it. Here is a comparative table:
Products |
Increased acidity |
Low acidity |
Dairy |
Milk, low-fat cream, non-acidic kefir, cottage cheese, lazy vareniki, syrniki made from it |
Sour milk, kefir, acidophilus, cottage cheese, products made from it |
Bakery products |
Yesterday's wheat or dried bread, biscuit, Maria cookies |
- « - |
Fish |
Low-fat varieties: pollock, hake, cod, pike (boiled, baked, stewed) |
- « - |
Meat |
Boiled, baked: chicken, turkey, rabbit, veal, lean pork; minced meat dishes |
The same meat, but several times a week you can fry it without breading |
Cereals |
Buckwheat, oatmeal, rice as a side dish, in soups |
- « - |
Vegetables |
Boiled cauliflower, zucchini, potatoes, carrots, fresh sweet tomatoes (100g) |
- « - |
Fruits |
Sweet ripe fruits, apples are best baked |
Apricot, grapes, currants, gooseberries |
Drinks |
Weak tea, coffee with milk, dried fruit compotes, jelly |
- « - |
Soups |
On water, vegetable broth |
On meat, fish, mushroom, vegetable |
Eggs |
Soft-boiled, steamed omelettes |
- « - |