Why Coffee Causes Acidity and Why Tea Triggers Acid Reflux

Why does acidity start after drinking tea or coffee?

Many people in India start their day with a cup of chai or coffee. It feels comforting, energising, and almost necessary. But for some, this habit comes with discomfort — burning in the chest, sour burps, bloating, or a heavy feeling soon after. If you often notice that coffee causes acidity or you feel acidity after tea, you are not imagining it. These drinks can genuinely trigger acid-related symptoms in sensitive stomachs.

Acidity is not just about what you drink. It is a result of how your digestion, gut lining, liver, and daily lifestyle work together. Tea and coffee affect all these layers, especially when consumed regularly or on an empty stomach.

This article explains, in simple terms, why tea and coffee trigger acidity, how caffeine digestion works, and what you can do to reduce discomfort without giving up everything you enjoy.

What exactly is acidity and how does it feel?

Acidity happens when the stomach produces more acid than needed or when acid flows back into the food pipe. This can irritate the lining and cause symptoms like:

• Burning sensation in chest or throat
• Sour or bitter taste in the mouth
• Bloating and gas
• Nausea or heaviness
• Chest discomfort that worsens after meals or drinks

Emotionally, frequent acidity can be frustrating. It makes people anxious about eating out, drinking tea with family, or even starting the day peacefully.

Understanding triggers like tea and coffee is the first step toward relief.

How does coffee cause acidity in the stomach?

Coffee is one of the most common acidity triggers. This is not only because of caffeine, but also due to how coffee interacts with stomach acid production and gut nerves.

Coffee increases stomach acid secretion

Coffee stimulates the stomach to release more hydrochloric acid. This happens even with decaffeinated coffee. When excess acid is produced, it can irritate the stomach lining or move upward into the food pipe, causing burning.

People who already have sensitive digestion, gastritis, or reflux feel this effect more strongly.

Coffee relaxes the lower food pipe valve

There is a muscle at the lower end of the food pipe that acts like a valve, preventing acid from coming up. Coffee can relax this muscle, making it easier for acid to reflux upward. This is a key reason coffee causes acidity and heartburn in many people.

Coffee stimulates gut nerves

Coffee activates the nervous system and increases gut movement. While this helps bowel movement in some, it can overstimulate the stomach in others, leading to pain, cramping, or acid discomfort.

Why does acidity happen after tea, even though it feels lighter?

Many people assume tea is gentler than coffee, but acidity after tea is also very common in India.

Tea contains caffeine and tannins

Tea has caffeine, though less than coffee. It also contains tannins, which can irritate the stomach lining and increase acid production. Strong black tea, kadak chai, or over-brewed tea is especially problematic.

Milk tea can slow digestion

Milk-based tea may feel soothing initially, but milk can delay stomach emptying in some people. When food stays longer in the stomach along with acid, it increases the chance of reflux and bloating.

Tea on an empty stomach is a major trigger

Drinking tea first thing in the morning without eating anything exposes the stomach lining directly to acid stimulation. This is one of the most common reasons people feel acidity, nausea, or shakiness after morning tea.

How does caffeine digestion affect acidity?

Caffeine digestion plays an important role in how tea and coffee affect your stomach.

Caffeine is absorbed quickly and stimulates the release of stress hormones like adrenaline. This shifts the body into an alert state, which reduces blood flow to digestion and increases acid secretion.

If your liver is already overloaded due to irregular meals, poor sleep, or high stress, caffeine digestion becomes less efficient. This leads to prolonged stimulation and worsening acidity symptoms.

Some people also metabolise caffeine slowly due to genetic factors. In them, even small amounts can trigger acidity, palpitations, and anxiety-like symptoms.

What role does the gut microbiome play?

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria that help with digestion and acid balance. Frequent tea and coffee intake can disturb this balance over time.

• Excess acid can reduce beneficial bacteria
• Empty-stomach caffeine can irritate gut lining
• Poor gut diversity increases sensitivity to triggers

When the microbiome is disturbed, the stomach becomes more reactive. This means even normal foods or drinks start causing acidity, gas, or discomfort.

How is the liver connected to tea, coffee, and acidity?

The liver helps process caffeine and regulates bile flow, which affects digestion.

If liver function is sluggish due to fatty liver, alcohol intake, or irregular eating, caffeine metabolism slows down. This leads to longer acid stimulation and delayed digestion.

In such cases, acidity is not just about the stomach. It is a signal that digestion and detox pathways are under strain.

Why lifestyle makes acidity worse with tea and coffee

Tea and coffee rarely act alone. Lifestyle habits amplify their effects.

When these factors combine with caffeine, acidity becomes frequent and harder to control.

Who is more likely to get acidity from tea and coffee?

You may be more sensitive if you:

• Have a history of acid reflux or gastritis
• Experience anxiety or chronic stress
• Eat irregularly or late at night
• Consume strong tea or multiple cups daily
• Have bloating or IBS-like symptoms

Sensitivity does not mean weakness. It means your gut is signalling the need for gentler care.

Can switching drinks reduce acidity?

You do not always need to quit tea or coffee completely. Small changes can reduce symptoms.

Listening to your body matters more than strict rules.

When should acidity be taken seriously?

Occasional acidity is common. But you should seek medical advice if you notice:

• Daily or persistent heartburn
• Difficulty swallowing
• Chest pain not related to exertion
• Unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting or black stools

These symptoms need proper evaluation and should not be ignored.

Key takeaway: tea and coffee are triggers, not the root cause

Tea and coffee trigger acidity because they increase stomach acid, affect caffeine digestion, and interact with gut and liver health. But the deeper issue is often digestion imbalance, stress, and lifestyle habits.

Instead of blaming one drink, focus on supporting your gut with regular meals, mindful eating, stress reduction, and adequate sleep. When digestion improves, sensitivity to tea and coffee often reduces naturally.