November 19, 2024
How to Enjoy Your Brew Without Worry
In today's fast-paced world, daily stress increasingly affects our bodies and how we respond to food. This is especially true of the gastrointestinal tract, which determines how we absorb nutrients and relate to the foods we consume.
The Impact of Coffee on the GI Tract
Coffee is highly nutritious and has numerous studies supporting its bioactive components. However, we still need to keep in mind its acid content when we're regularly drinking coffee, as it can affect our GI tract and gut health.
Some people may have specific concerns about gut issues like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), where consumption of certain foods can contribute to greater stomach acidity than desired. They have to be careful when drinking coffee or consuming other foods that might aggravate such conditions.
Purpose of This Article
The purpose of this article is to alleviate any excessive concerns about the acid within coffee and to delve into more detail about the main acid found in coffee and its documented benefits.
We'll also give you a few tips to minimize acid when preparing coffee—featuring two of our favorite beans,
Junin Natural and
Junin Anaerobic—so you and your stomach can rest easy and sip happily.
Introducing Chlorogenic Acid
The main acid found in coffee that garners much attention is chlorogenic acid. This compound—also known as CGA—is powerful. Let's found out why!
Benefits of Chlorogenic Acid
Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a compound found in coffee, is associated with several potential health benefits. It acts as an antioxidant and may help reduce inflammation. CGA is also studied for its possible positive effects on metabolism, blood pressure, liver function, and gut health. Additionally, it may have neuroprotective and antimicrobial properties. While these potential benefits are promising, they are part of ongoing research, and it's important to consider them within the context of an overall healthy lifestyle.
How Roasting Affects Chlorogenic Acid Levels
Depending on the roast of the coffee, there will be greater or lesser amounts of chlorogenic acid.
Green coffee has been documented to contain a higher concentration of CGA than roasted coffee beans, suggesting that this acid is heat-sensitive and can be reduced with a
darker roast.
Choosing the Right Coffee for Lower Acidity
This is great news for those who have concerns about acidity in their coffee. It means you can look for
darker roasts, which will have less CGA and therefore be easier on your GI tract. If you're in this category and want to think preventatively about the acidity in your beverage choices, then roasted coffee is the right option for you.
You can also add milk to your coffee to reduce its acidity. Feel free to choose traditional dairy milk like cow, goat, or sheep, or a plant-based milk like oat, almond, coconut, cashew, soy, hemp, or rice milk. (And let us know if there are any other milks you enjoy that we may not have mentioned—we're always curious to find out more options!)
Final Thoughts
Understanding the role of chlorogenic acid in coffee and how roasting affects its levels can help you make informed choices that suit your digestive needs. Whether you prefer a darker roast to minimize acidity or a green coffee to give your digestion a boost, there's a coffee out there that's perfect for you. So rest easy and sip happy!
