Some people consider coffee consumption to be an addiction, while others consider it to be merely a ritual. The dependence, in my opinion, is unreal. Don’t get me wrong: I think it’s great! I enjoy coffee, but the bloating effect might be problematic for those trying to reduce weight.
Coffee can upset your stomach, which can cause bloating. People who are sensitive to coffee are the first to feel puffiness. Coffee’s increased sugar content also contributes to bloating. People with poor digestion, on the other hand, will have more severe stomach bloating.
Coffee is a beverage that is brewed with boiling water, with roasted and grounded coffee beans.
Coffee usually has many variations, such as espresso, latte, macchiato, cold coffee, and many more.
Coffee has a certain amount of caffeine that gives your metabolism a boost to improve your physical and mental performance.
However, one should not overdose on coffee because of the caffeine content that can cause side effects if overdosed.
You might be perplexed by the fact that caffeine is recognized to aid in weight loss, so how is it able to bloat the body!? You can simply examine your coffee drinking habits to figure out how it’s causing distress.
Let’s get into the details of how it can bloat your body.
Can Coffee Cause Gas And Bloating?

Yes! Coffee can create gas, which may come as a surprise to you. The acid in your coffee can irritate your stomach and cause bloating.
However, coffee isn’t the only thing that causes you to bloat. Other components in your cup of coffee are largely to blame for the unpleasant stomach bloat. It could be a case of caffeine sensitivity, lactose intolerance, or a digestive problem.
Coffee is a morning breakfast necessity for any American who needs a caffeine fix. Have you ever found yourself needing to go to the restroom as soon as you’ve finished your cup of coffee?
This is because coffee can irritate your digestive tract, resulting in gas and bloating. Do you want to know how? Check this video out:
Gas can also be caused by milk and other dairy products. If you consume white coffee, milk could be the source of your gas issues. Gas can also be caused by aspartame, sorbitol, and other artificial sweeteners. This is because your body cannot metabolize them quickly.
If you don’t want to feel gassy, stay away from milk and all those sugars. That’s if the coffee isn’t the main offender.
Does Decaf Coffee Make You Bloated?
You may be surprised to learn that decaf coffee can cause bloating as well.
When it doesn’t include caffeine, how is that possible? Caffeine isn’t the only natural stimulant that can irritate your stomach, produce stomach pains, and may lead to abdominal distress.
Coffee is acidic even when it is devoid of caffeine. For the reasons I have explained, it can still lower your hydrochloric acid and cause a variety of digestive issues.
So, if you thought switching to decaf would help you get rid of your bloating, think again. It’s possible only if you’re hypersensitive to caffeine and not to any other coffee element.
Four Reasons Coffee Can Make You Bloated
Below are some reasons why coffee can make you bloated:
Over Excites The Digestive System
Coffee stimulates the digestive tract excessively. When you drink your first cup of coffee in the morning, it stimulates peristalsis in your colon. Peristalsis is the continuous contraction and relaxation of muscles that are similar to cramping. This can result in painful spasms and bloating.
You can read more about this in my other article.
Produces Cortisol
When we drink coffee, our bodies produce the hormone cortisol, which is also produced when we are stressed or scared. Unfortunately, our bodies are incapable of distinguishing between caffeine and impending danger. Your stress response is identical. This raises blood sugar levels, which are then converted into fat, which is most commonly stored around your midsection—and contributes significantly to bloating.
While caffeine has been shown to benefit overall health and weight loss, some of our caffeine habits can be harmful.
Coffee is Acidic + Diuretic Nature
Coffee drinkers are all aware of its acidic nature. People with sensitive stomachs are more likely to be irritated by the acidity of coffee. The irritation, like the effects of eating chocolate or lemons, can cause bloating.
Furthermore, studies have revealed that coffee promotes the release of gastrin. This hormone, as the name implies, is a gastric hormone that is in charge of pumping acid into our stomachs for digestion.
On an empty stomach, imagine drinking straight lemon juice. Do you think your stomach will feel good the rest of the day? No, that would not be appropriate. So drinking coffee on an empty stomach is equivalent to this.
Coffee + Additives causes trouble
Lactose malabsorption, which affects an estimated 68 percent of the world’s population, is more likely to be the cause of bloating, and those sweeteners are more difficult for the body to digest. Fortunately, bloating is only temporary. When in doubt, have a cup of black coffee.
It can help with digestion by stimulating the production of hydrochloric acid in your stomach, diversifying gut bacteria, and flushing excess water from your body. This improves your overall health and has been shown to reduce bloating and water retention.
Lactose is found in all dairy products. It is a type of sugar found in dairy products such as milk, cream, yogurt, ice cream, and so on. When dairy sugar enters our bodies, it is broken down by an enzyme known as lactase.
In some people, lactase production may be slightly lower than normal, causing the person to become lactose intolerant, resulting in bloating.
How Can You Limit Coffee Bloating?
There can be many ways you can limit coffee bloating, however, I have mentioned some of the most effective ones below:
Limit Your Consumption
If you’re used to drinking 1 or more cups of coffee per day, grab that mug with pride and keep going. However, for those who react differently, it’s critical to understand the effects of caffeine and cortisol on the body. Consider the following: A little coffee is good for you, just as a little stress is. Furthermore, drinking that cup or two on an empty stomach may cause irritation and bloat.
Opt For Dairy Free
Creamers on their own can cause bloating and they’re not healthy when consumed in large quantities. Try your coffee without creamer (or go dairy-free) and see how it compares. Aside: If you make your creamer, you’ll know exactly what’s going into your body.
Try Avoiding Artificial Sweeteners
These are some sneaky additives that can be found in almost any beverage. However, be cautious before putting them in your coffee. Make use of natural sweeteners such as honey or brown sugar.
You can also use Stevia instead of cane sugar. Stevia is a plant-derived natural sweetener. As a result, vegans can enjoy it in their coffee. Additionally, avoid any type of alcohol because it is high in sugars, which can irritate your stomach even more.
Check out For Sodium
Sodium is notorious for causing your body to retain water. Celebrities, for example, stop consuming sodium days before photo shoots or red carpet events to avoid bloating.
Eat as little processed food as possible. Consume a lot of fiber-rich fruits to help with indigestion.
Is Coffee Good For Bloated Stomach?

Coffee can help with bloating, but it all depends on the individual. It has varied effects on different people. It could be a fantastic diuretic for you, but it could cause a slew of issues for someone else.
Caffeine may not be the ideal treatment if you have a bloated stomach and It could aggravate the situation by creating unpleasant cramps and constipation. Even if it typically doesn’t bother your stomach, it can if you consume it when you’re already bloated.
You can certainly try but be prepared for your body to let you know how it feels. You’ll know right away whether coffee relieves your bloated stomach or if you should avoid it like the plague.
How You Can Get Rid Of Coffee Bloat?
There are many ways to get rid of coffee bloat, and they are simpler than you might think.
The most important thing is to eat plenty of fresh, water-rich fruits and vegetables (especially potassium-rich bananas, strawberries, and kiwis). They are high in fiber, which aids digestion. However, cruciferous vegetables should be avoided because they can aggravate bloating and even cause gas. Consume small, light meals that are free of sugar and salt. Because sodium causes the body to retain water, it does not alleviate bloating.
Avoid processed foods, which are high in sugar, salt, and artificial sweeteners. Make sure to chew slowly while eating so that the food is broken down into smaller pieces. This helps the stomach in digesting your food.
If you have IBS, this is especially important for calming a bloated stomach. Eat no starchy foods because they contain carbs that your stomach may have difficulty digesting.
Avoid alcohol because it contains a lot of sugar as well as carbs, which can aggravate bloating. If your body does not properly digest lactose, avoid dairy products as well as fizzy drinks.
When you’re bloated, the only fizzy beverage you should drink is mineral water. According to one study on the effects of carbonated water on constipation, it not only contains nutrients but can also improve digestion.
Just avoid flavored mineral waters because they contain artificial sweeteners.
Can Coffee Cause Weight Gain?
Coffee alone doesn’t cause weight gain.
It helps you to lose weight because black coffee itself has very low calories and caffeine helps you to improve your metabolism which ultimately helps you to burn some calories. Coffee also helps you to mobilize fats from fat tissues.
However, if you add milk, sugar, or any other additive to your coffee it may cause weight gain as all of this increases the calorie content of your cup of joe.
Refer to the following table to find the calorie content of different types of coffees:
Coffee | Calories per 8 ounces |
Black Coffee | 2 |
Espresso | 20 |
Non-Fat Cappuccino | 46 |
Non-Fat Macchiato | 52 |
Flavored Latte | 134 |
Bulletproof coffee with 2 cups of coffee, 2 tablespoons of butter, and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil | about 325 |
Summary
If you enjoy coffee but find that it constantly upsets your stomach, it may feel like the end of the world. However, the good news is that bloating and other gut issues caused by coffee are only temporary.
As you now know, there are numerous things you can do to alleviate your bloated stomach and any pain or cramping you may be experiencing as a result of the beverage. Follow the above suggestions, and you’ll be feeling better in no time.