Love Coffee? Here’s How to Enjoy Your Cup More Comfortably

Every year on September 29th, National Coffee Day gives us a chance to celebrate the drink that has become a social tradition and morning ritual for so many of us. It’s a day to try a new roast, upgrade your coffee routine, support your favorite local coffee shop, or simply share a cup with someone you love. 

But if you suffer from acid reflux, coffee might be triggering heartburn that leaves you wondering if you should give up your favorite morning ritual altogether. With a few simple changes to your coffee routine, however, you can find ways to make your coffee work with you, not against you. 

So, in honor of National Coffee Day, we’re sharing a few simple tips for enjoying your coffee more comfortably along with a few delicious recipes to enjoy your favorite drink in a new way!

Why Does Coffee Give You Heartburn?

Coffee is naturally acidic, and different brewing processes release the acid stored in the coffee beans at different levels. If you’re someone who experiences acid reflux, coffee can leave you feeling uncomfortable. But the coffee itself isn’t the only factor that could be contributing to heartburn or other digestive discomfort. 

How much coffee you drink, when you drink it, and what you add to it can all play a role in how you feel after a cup of coffee. You might notice drinking coffee first thing in the morning on an empty stomach feels different than enjoying it along with a nourishing breakfast. Maybe you feel great after one cup, but that second one is what starts the burning sensation in your throat. 

Then there are all the add-ins to consider. Creamers, sweeteners, milk, flavored syrups, spices, and other additions can all change not just the taste, but also how your coffee makes you feel. You might notice plain coffee doesn’t upset your stomach, but a sugary concoction from your favorite coffee shop may leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable later. 

How to Enjoy Your Coffee More Comfortably

If coffee is giving you heartburn, you might have considered cutting it out completely. But before you give up on your coffee, try making a few changes to how you drink it. The results may surprise you!

Think About When You Drink It

If you’re reaching for a cup of coffee first thing in the morning before you’ve had a single bite to eat, this could be part of why it’s triggering your acid reflux. Drinking coffee with a meal or after you’ve already eaten is better than drinking it on an empty stomach, because the food in your stomach acts as a physical buffer to coffee’s natural acids. 

So if you’re noticing that coffee tends to bother you first thing in the morning, try waiting until after you’ve eaten and see if that makes a difference in how you feel.

Pay Attention to What You Add

For some people, it might not be the coffee itself that’s causing digestive discomfort. Heavy dairy creamers that are high in fat or have lots of added sugar can trigger or worsen reflux. If you like your coffee creamy, try experimenting with dairy-free options like full-fat coconut milk or almond milk. If you like some added sweetness, try natural options like monk fruit, local raw honey, or even blended dates.

Try a Low-Acid Coffee Approach

If coffee is giving your heartburn, another solution is to look for low-acid coffee. These are typically made from beans grown in lower-altitude regions of Brazil, Sumatra, and Nicaragua that are then specially processed and roasted to achieve the lower acidity.

If you already have a coffee brand you love or a cafe you like to frequent, however, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to switch to a low-acid brand to enjoy your coffee more comfortably. With Alkamind’s Acid-Kicking Coffee Alkalizer, you can add the right blend of minerals and healthy fats that transform your coffee into a gut-friendly morning ritual.

Neutralize Your Coffee’s Acid

If you love your coffee but don’t love how it makes you feel, there’s a simple alternative to giving it up altogether. Acid-Kicking Coffee Alkalizer was specifically designed to neutralize your coffee’s acid to reduce reflux. With MCT and coconut oil, it supports smooth, steady energy and mental focus, while added enzymes give your digestive system a boost. 

Available in vanilla, mocha, salted caramel, and hazelnut, Acid-Kicking Coffee Alkalizers are an easy addition to the coffee ritual you already have. And if you prefer your coffee with no added flavors or sweetness, Acid-Kicking Black Coffee Alkalizer neutralizes your coffee’s acid with no added taste or smell to keep your coffee exactly how you like it!

Low-Acid Ways to Enjoy Your Coffee

National Coffee Day is the perfect excuse to mix things up a bit and try a new coffee recipe. Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy more gut-friendly coffee!

Add Coconut Oil to Your Coffee

This is one of the simplest ways to give your coffee a gut-loving boost and further energize your morning. First, brew your coffee and carefully pour it into a blender. Add 1 tablespoon of cold-pressed coconut oil and thoroughly blend it. Coconut oil is a powerful acid neutralizer, and it’s rich in healthy fats (MCT) to provide fast energy and help curb cravings.

Everything Coffee Smoothie

We call this our “Everything” Coffee Smoothie because it has it all: coffee, greens, healthy fats, protein, and potassium. The combination of banana and coconut flavors gives you a little taste of summer year-round, brightening your mornings even as the days get shorter. To make, simply blend together: 

• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 cup cold brew coffee (frozen into ice cubes the night before)
• 1 frozen banana
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 2 handfuls of baby spinach
• 1 tbsp melted coconut oil
• 1 scoop Acid-Kicking Coffee Alkalizer - Vanilla
• Optional: Coconut flakes for garnish or a sprinkle of cinnamon

This one is easily modified for kids as well; just use chocolate milk in theirs instead of coffee, and the whole family can enjoy morning smoothies together!

Healthy Homemade Coffee Creamer

This homemade coffee creamer is a delicious addition to your favorite brew, and it’s so easy to make a quick batch that will last you all week. Here’s what you’ll need: 

• 1 can organic full fat coconut milk, such as Native Forest
• 3 to 4 Medjool dates, pitted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
• Pinch of Redmond Real Salt
• Filtered water, as needed
• Optional: 1 scoop Acid-Kicking Coffee Alkalizer in Vanilla, Mocha, Salted Caramel or Hazelnut with Brain Boost

Simply soak the dates in hot water for 10 minutes, drain well, then combine all of the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth, and add water a little at a time if you want a thinner consistency. Add to your hot or iced coffee, and for an optional boost, froth Acid-Kicking Coffee Alkalizer directly into your coffee for alkalizing minerals to help neutralize coffee’s acidity, plus MCTs to support steady, fat-burning energy.

Acid-Kicking Dalgona Coffee

Dalgona coffee has been around since the 1960s, but you might have seen this whipped coffee trend gain traction during 2020, earning the nickname “quarantine coffee” because it’s such a simple way to make a cafe-quality coffee treat right in your own kitchen. It involves combining equal parts of instant coffee, sugar, and water, then whipping until fluffy and spooning over milk.

The secret to transforming this from a regular whipped coffee to a gut-loving treat is replacing white sugar with a healthier alternative and adding a scoop of vanilla-flavored Acid-Kicking Coffee Alkalizer. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to making the perfect gut-friendly Dalgona coffee:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons instant coffee (must be instant to create the fluffy texture)
• 2 tablespoons granulated monk fruit sweetener
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1 cup of coconut milk or almond milk
• Optional: 1 scoop Acid-Kicking Coffee Alkalizer in Vanilla, Mocha, Salted Caramel or Hazelnut with Brain Boost

Instructions

1. 
   Add the instant coffee, monk fruit sweetener, and hot water to a tall glass.
2. Use a handheld frother to whip the mixture for 1-2 minutes until it becomes thick, fluffy, and holds stiff peaks (similar to whipped cream). 
3. Fill a glass with ice and your milk of choice. If you’re using Acid-Kicking Coffee Alkalizer, thoroughly mix one scoop into the milk before adding ice.
4. Spoon the whipped coffee foam over the top of the milk. Gently stir to blend the whipped mixture into the milk before drinking.

Enjoy Your Coffee Your Way

If coffee has been leaving you feeling uncomfortable, start by paying attention to how and when you drink it. Start by making sure you’re drinking it on a full stomach, experiment with dairy-free creamers and natural sweeteners, or add Acid-Kicking Coffee Alkalizer to cut the acid. 

Then, when September 29 rolls around each year, you can celebrate National Coffee Day by making your favorite cup exactly the way you like it, or try something new!