No one likes a coffee that eats away at your stomach lining! OK, I don't think a coffee that acidic exists, but acid in coffee is a factor for some people, and it causes some to steer clear of coffee altogether (which of course, prevents those people from consuming something so naturally high in antioxidants).
Let's first talk about these acids and their qualities...
About 30 types of acids have been identified in coffee beans. Many of them are familiar because they’re commonly found in other foods, such as citric acid in oranges, malic acid in apples and acetic acid, which is found in vinegar.
The most abundant acids in coffee belong to one large group known as chlorogenic acids. These acids are antioxidants that may help lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes, according to a review in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine in August 2013. Chlorogenic acids are also one of the ingredients in green coffee beans that may support weight loss.
If you're one of those--for good reason--who says "I don't care about the good qualities--I have to listen to my stomach," here are 5 things you can do to reduce the acid in your coffee and still realize the good health benefits:
1. Take in more calcium
Calcium is used as an ingredient in antacids because it neutralizes stomach acid. You can get a similar effect in coffee by adding milk or cream. Low-fat milk is the healthiest choice because 1 tablespoon has barely a trace of fat, yet provides a little more calcium than heavy cream or half-and-half.
You can also find a variety of calcium-based products that help neutralize acidity. They're often sold under names related to pH balance, alkaline boosters and acid relief. Some products are flavorless powders designed to be stirred into coffee, while others are tablets that go to work in the stomach after they’re swallowed.
2. Try cold-brewing your coffee
A tried and true way to reduce the acidity in your coffee is to use a cold-brew process. You may hear it called cold-drip coffee, Kyoto style, or Toddy style. This type of coffee is made by allowing ground beans to steep in cold water for at least 24 hours.
Compared to using hot water, cold water extracts less of the coffee’s natural acids. As a result, your coffee is about 70 percent less acidic than a typical cup of hot-brewed coffee, according to information from manufacturers.
3. Tame your roast and grind size
Dark roasted coffee beans retain less acid than lighter roasts. The extra roasting time also develops a compound that blocks acid production in the stomach, reports the American Chemical Society.
The size of the grind is usually determined according to the type of coffee maker and how quickly water flows through the coffee. If you have a choice, go with coarsely ground coffee, which has less acid than a fine grind.
