Does Coffee Cause Gas & Bloating (And How To Help)? (2025)

Why Do We Get Bloated?

A build-up of gases in the stomach or digestive tract can lead to bloating – a sensation of tightness, fullness, andoften pain in the abdomen.

There are all sorts of potential causes, some hormonal in nature and others connected to the digestive system. Occasional bloating is pretty normal, but if you experience it regularly it can be distressing.

Many people find that coffee can be particularly problematic in terms of causing an upset stomach, abdominal pain, IBS symptoms, or digestive issues.

It’s an established fact that – for some people – coffee acts like a mild laxative, triggering a build-up of gases and a distended abdomen.

But, the exact cause varies from person to person since people react to the different compounds in coffee in different ways.

Let’s review some of the reasons why coffee might cause digestive distress including excess gas production.

Coffee acids

Acidic foods and beverages are known to cause bloating for those with sensitive stomachs.

With an average pH value of around 4.85 to 5.10, most kinds of coffee are acidic. They can contain up to nine different acids, which are released during the brewing process.The degree of acidity in your prepared cup of coffee is affected by several different things.

One is the type of brewing method used, with researchers finding that cold-brewed coffee is lower in acid than hot coffee. The brewing time plays a part, too, and experts have found that the shorter the brewing time, the more acidic the drink.

Levels of acidity are also dependent on the size of the coffee grounds. Because of their larger exposed surface area, the brewing process will extract more acid from very fine grounds.The final factor is how the beans are roasted, with studies showing lower acidity levels in coffee beans that were roasted at higher temperatures for longer periods of time.See my list of the best low acid coffees.

Caffeine

Some people who experience gas and bloating after drinking coffee are not reacting to the acids in the coffee beans. Instead, they are sensitive to the caffeine content in coffee.

Caffeine is a stimulant, found naturally in the leaves and fruits of certain plants, including coffee. It is known to increase the production of acid in the stomach and stimulate colonic motor activity (the contractions in the intestines that move waste products through the digestive system prior to bowel movements).

For people sensitive to caffeine, this can cause abdominal discomfort including bloating. You can test this theory for yourself by either switching to decaf coffee and seeing if you still have an issue, or trying a mildly-caffeinated drink like green tea to see if you still feel bloated.

Lactose intolerance

If you enjoy your coffee with milk or cream, then you may be reacting to the lactose they contain rather than the coffee!

Lactose intolerance or sensitivity can make it hard to digest lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. It’s caused by your body not producing enough lactase – the enzyme that’s needed to digest lactose.

If you’re affected by it, you usually begin experiencing symptoms like gas and bloating within a few hours of drinking coffee prepared with milk or cream. If this is the case, try drinking black coffee to see if your symptoms resolve.

While there has been little research into the problem, many people who are prone to bloating will tell you that artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sorbitol are a common cause.

These – and other sweeteners – can be hard to digest, leading to abdominal discomfort.

If you use artificial sweeteners in your coffee, you might want to work on reducing the amount you use or limiting the number of cups of coffee you consume in a day.

FODMAP is an acronym standing for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols – sugars that some people have trouble digesting properly. People sensitive to FODMAPS have to avoid the foods containing them as much as possible.

Some types of coffee – like decaffeinated espresso and regular black – are considered to be low-FODMAP drinks.But once regular milk or certain creamers are added, coffee becomes a high FODMAP beverage and one that can cause discomfort to sensitive individuals.

Examples of low-FODMAP creamers include lactose-free milk and almond milk. Certain sugars are also considered high FODMAP foods, so if you like your coffee sweet, then you might want to look for a low FODMAP sweetener.

Quantity consumed

If you drink a lot of coffee, then it may be the sheer volume of liquid that’s responsible for your discomfort.

Indeed, a study in 2001 found that coffee causes the stomach to enlarge more than an equivalent volume of water, potentially leading to that uncomfortably-full feeling.

1. Limit your coffee intake

Persistent bloating and gas can make life a misery, so you may need to drink less coffee or cut it out altogether in order to feel better.

If caffeine isn’t your problem, you could try replacing some or all of your coffee with another caffeinated drink like cocoa or tea. Or you could try chicory herbal coffee or mushroom coffee which is naturally caffeine-free and may even improve your digestive health!

If you don’t want to give up coffee completely, at least consider alternating it with a coffee-like beverage that’s kinder to your digestive system.

2. Choose low-acid coffee

The lower the acidity level of your coffee, the less likely you are to experience symptoms such as acid reflux.

As mentioned earlier, cold brew coffee tends to be lower in acid. You can also look for brands that are marketed as having low acidity levels. See my list of the best low-acid coffee at Starbucks.

Avoid light roasts, which are higher in acid than beans that have been roasted at high temperatures for a long period of time – and choose a coarse grind over a fine one.

If your problems seem to stem from the milk or cream added to your coffee, look for lactose-free alternatives.

In order to make lactose-free milk, manufacturers add the enzyme lactase to regular cow’s milk.This means that the end result is very similar to regular milk in terms of texture and nutrients. The only difference is in the taste, which is slightly sweeter.

Other lactose-free creamers include oat, soy, coconut, and almond milk.

4. Try decaf coffee

Decaf – short for decaffeinated coffee – is well worth a try if you love your daily cup of joe but are sensitive to the caffeine in regular coffee.

At least 97% of the caffeine is removed from coffee beans in order to produce decaffeinated coffee, but in every other way, the nutritional profile is virtually identical. Depending on the method used for decaffeination, the taste may be somewhat milder – a bonus for people who find regular coffee a little bitter – and the color might be slightly different, too.

Try to choose the Swiss water process method when choosing your decaf coffee brands.

5. Experiment with different brewing methods

As mentioned earlier, cold brew coffee is lower in acid and generally kinder on your stomach, with French press coffee being another good option.

You can then ensure the acid levels are as low as possible, by increasing the temperature of the water and allowing the coffee to brew for longer.

Is it the caffeine or the acidity in coffee that causes gas and bloating?

Can drinking decaf coffee still cause gas and bloating?

Can drinking cold brew coffee reduce the risk of coffee bloat?

Yes, it can.This is because cold brew coffee has been proven to have a lower acidity level, so it is less likely to cause digestive discomfort.

Are there any natural remedies or supplements that can help reduce gas and bloating from coffee?

Can drinking coffee on an empty stomach increase the risk of gas and bloating?

There is no scientific evidence to demonstrate a link between drinking coffee on an empty stomach and subsequent problems with gas and bloating. But many people who experience these issues feel that their symptoms are worse if they drink their first coffee before – not after – their breakfast! And there does seem to be some logic in this – after all, coffee is known to increase the production of stomach acid and without any food to protect the stomach lining, it may cause irritation. So it’s worth experimenting to see if drinking coffee after food helps prevent your symptoms from occurring.