Although it does not actually cause stomach ulcers, caffeine in coffee may irritate the stomach lining and slow the healing process. Also, coffee may cause a person to become more vulnerable to future ulcers due to its diuretic effect. The caffeine in coffee increases water and salt excreted from the body in urine. The human body does not store caffeine and excretes it through the urine. Therefore, excessive consumption of coffee may be risky.
Fortunately, coffee does not directly cause stomach ulcers, but it may aggravate symptoms. Caffeine increases the production of acid in the stomach, making an ulcer more likely. It also erodes the mucosal lining in the stomach, making it susceptible to further bleeding and inflammation. If you think you might have an ulcer, it’s best to drink only decaffeinated coffee and limit your alcohol consumption. In the meantime, if you have a history of gastric ulcers, avoid drinking coffee.
One study suggests that coffee can cause stomach ulcers. However, no studies have linked drinking coffee to GERD or ulcers. A number of factors, including stress and poor diet, may contribute to stomach ulcers. According to some research, the presence of caffeine in coffee stimulates the secretion of gastric acid. This can irritate an existing ulcer. While decaffeinated drinks are not known to trigger stomach ulcers, they may actually cause a person to develop an ulcer.