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Home » Ingredients » Dairy

Is Coffee with Milk Acidic?

aaron l gravelyMedically Reviewed by Aaron Gravely, MD · Written by Rizza Joyce Mira, MD · Updated on June 15, 2023

As anyone with a busy lifestyle knows, coffee is a lifesaver. After a long day at work, a delicious cup of coffee is not only relaxing but also energizing.

is coffee with milk acidic

However, modern lifestyles and diets can cause acid reflux, and if you suffer from this unpleasant condition, you need to know which foods and drinks trigger your symptoms.

Should you suffer from acid reflux, knowing the pH of common foods and drinks means you can make an informed decision as to which you include in your diet, and coffee is one of the most popular drinks globally.

Table of Contents
  • Is Coffee with Milk Acidic or Alkaline?
  • What Is the pH of Coffee with Milk?
  • Is Coffee with Milk Good for You?
  • Is Coffee with Milk Bad for Acid Reflux?
  • How To Make Coffee with Milk Better for Acid Reflux?

Is Coffee with Milk Acidic or Alkaline?

Coffee with milk is slightly acidic, as the brewing process produces acids. Therefore, drinking too much coffee, with or without milk, may cause heartburn and acid reflux.

However, coffee contains antioxidants that flush out free radicals, and milk is high in minerals and vitamins. So, an occasional coffee is good for you unless you're extremely acid sensitive.

What Is the pH of Coffee with Milk?

The pH of coffee ranges from 4.85 to 5.13. Adding milk increases its pH, making it slightly less acidic, but both coffee and milk are acid-forming.

For people with acid reflux, the occasional coffee with milk is better than black, as the milk dilutes the caffeine and adds nutrients.

  • Is Buttermilk Acidic?

Is Coffee with Milk Good for You?

summer cold coffee with ice and milk
Coffee with Milk and Ice

A cup of black coffee contains only three calories; however, it also has very little nutrition.

It does contain trace amounts of minerals and vitamins, but adding milk makes coffee more nutritious, particularly if you use nutrient-dense milk, such as coconut or almond.

Coconut and almond milks are alkaline-forming, so they help neutralize stomach acids, preventing heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms.

It's the caffeine in coffee that gives you that energy boost. Too much caffeine can lead to heart palpitations and high blood pressure, but a moderate intake can improve mood, memory, reaction times, and mental agility.

    Research suggests that regular coffee drinkers have a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer's and dementia.

    • Is Condensed Milk Acidic?

    Coffee contains a good amount of riboflavin (vitamin B2), which contributes to cell growth and repair. It also helps your body break down carbohydrates and protein, turning them into energy that's stored in your muscles.

    Black coffee contains around 10% of the recommended daily riboflavin intake; adding milk increases this.

    • Craft Coffee Club (U.K.) Review

    Is Coffee with Milk Bad for Acid Reflux?

    Coffee with milk is slightly acidic, so it may aggravate your acid reflux and GERD symptoms. Experts advise acid reflux sufferers to drink no more than a cup daily, and darker coffee beans are less acidic.

    Caffeine may increase gastric acid production, which could trigger your symptoms. Although some research suggests that caffeinated drinks don't cause acid reflux, they can aggravate it in some people.

    • Is Coconut Milk Acidic?

    How To Make Coffee with Milk Better for Acid Reflux?

    Drinking cold brew coffee may be better for acid reflux, as it tends to irritate the esophagus and stomach less.

    Prolonging the brewing process by using a French press also lowers acidity.

    Using almond milk instead of cow's milk could neutralize the acidity, and it also has alkaline-forming properties. Almond milk may also prevent digestive inflammation.

    Although coffee with milk is only slightly acidic, drinking it may affect different people's acid reflux to varying degrees. The occasional cup should be fine for most but listen to your body if it affects you adversely and remove it from your diet.

    Don't know what to drink? Check out these articles: 20 Most and Least Acidic Juices and 20+ Alcoholic Drinks Ranked by Acidity Level

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    aaron l gravely

    Aaron L. Gravely, MD earned his MD from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and BA in Neurobiology from Harvard College.

    Aaron has over 5 years of experience revising medical content and scientific language for usage, flow, and clarity in accordance with the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and the American Medical Association (AMA).

    More about us →

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