3. Overconsumption of Caffeine: A Jolt to Your Digestive System
Ah, coffee! It’s the nectar that helps you start your morning, but it can also kickstart a vicious GERD cycle. When you’re sipping your morning latte, it’s easy to forget that caffeine is a natural stimulant. It doesn’t just wake you up; it wakes up your digestive tract, too.
But how does caffeine stir the pot? First off, it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, the gatekeeper that usually prevents stomach acid from splashing into the esophagus. When that muscle relaxes, it’s open season for stomach acid.
You might argue that caffeine is not exclusive to coffee. True enough. Caffeine lurks in energy drinks, soda, and even some medications. And each of these sources poses the same risks. This stimulant not only relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter but also prompts the stomach to produce more acid.
Here’s something else to chew on: caffeine can irritate an already inflamed esophagus. If you’re consistently consuming it, you’re keeping your esophagus in a perpetually agitated state. It’s like rubbing salt into a wound, only in this case, the salt is caffeine and the wound is your esophagus.
For all the coffee lovers out there, going cold turkey might sound like a Herculean task. But even cutting back can ease symptoms. One less cup a day could be the first step to reclaiming not just your mornings but your entire day from the clutches of GERD. (3)
