Experts Say These Are The Types of Coffee You Should Actually Drink If You Have Gut Issues

Nothing gets us out of bed faster than the nutty, chocolatey aroma of coffee wafting through the air in the morning. That, coupled with the perkiness of caffeine, makes it a morning ritual that is hard — okay, sometimes impossible — to resist. But as much as we love a piping hot cup of Joe, sometimes it doesn’t love us back. Coffee (and caffeine) isn’t the most gut-friendly, and many of us find that, while it’s a reliable way to get the bowels going in the morning, it’s also the source of some very uncomfortable gastrointestinal issues. 

Our mission at The Flow Space is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. QVC is a Flow Space sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Best Gut-Friendly Coffees at a Glance

• Best Low Acid: Fabula Organic Medium Roast Coffee, $30
  Best K-Cups: Laird Functional Mushroom Coffee K-Cups, $15
  Best Cold Brew: Lifeboost Dark Cold Brew Coffee, $28
• Best Canned Coffee: RISE Brewing Co. Oat Milk Nitro Cold Brew Latte, $35
• Best Coffee Alternative: Beyond Brew Mushroom Superfood Coffee, $39
  Best for Digestion: Four Sigmatic Happy Gut Ground Coffee, $16
• Best Decaf: Germack Decaf Sunday Drive Coffee, $32
• Best Latte Mix: Clevr Coffee Super Latte, $29
  Best Energy-Boosting Coffee Alternative: Kamana Mesquite Superfood Coffee, $34
  Best Coffee-Superfood Blend: FigBrew Mellow Mix Half-Caff Fig & Coffee Blend, $18

If you’re one of the many who experience tummy troubles from coffee, the good news is you don’t have to ditch coffee altogether. There are so many gut-friendly coffees out there, some of which you might even already have in your pantry and fridge. And we aren’t just talking about coffee alternatives — like the popular mushroom coffee blends that target us on social media, although we’ll touch on those too — we’re talking about actual coffee beans with actual caffeine. 

Sounds too good to be true? We thought the same, so we tapped an expert to learn more about what type of coffee is easier on the gut and what to avoid if you have gut issues. Of course, then we had to scour the internet for the best gut-friendly coffee blends to add to our morning routines. We spill the tea (err, we mean coffee) ahead. 

What Type of Coffee Is Easier on the Gut? An Expert Explains

If you have a sensitive stomach, Brittany Werner, MS, RDN, the director of coaching at Working Against Gravity, an online nutrition coaching program, says drinking coffee isn’t entirely out of the question. “Coffee brands often have specially formulated and labeled ‘low-acid’ brews that are designed to be more gut-friendly,” she explains. “These blends use beans with a naturally lower acidity and alternative roasting techniques to further lower the overall acidity.” In addition to low-acid coffee, Werner says to also consider switching to cold brew. “Cold brew coffee has less acidity due to the cold steeping process and can be a more attractive choice for those with a sensitive stomach,” she notes. 

Of course, if you find that caffeine, in general, causes your tummy troubles, it’s also worth switching to a decaf blend. According to Werner, caffeine can actually stimulate acid production in the stomach, so swapping out your regular brew for a decaf option (or even half-caff) can be a better choice for your gut. 

Werner says you can also consider switching to mushroom coffee. “Mushroom coffee is a great choice for those with gut issues, as it combines traditional coffee with natural, medicinal mushrooms to create a low acid, lower caffeine, smooth brew,” she explains. “Some mushrooms used in mushroom coffee are known for promoting positive bacteria in our microbiome, which leads to improved digestion.” You can also find coffee alternatives, which usually incorporate functional mushrooms and cacao to create a similar morning ritual and support energy without the actual coffee. 

What Kind of Coffee to Avoid if You Have Gut Health Issues

When it comes to gut health and coffee sensitivities, things can vary quite a bit. Depending on the specific gut issues you experience, Werner says avoiding or eliminating certain types of coffee and flavorings can help. “Espresso or very strong coffee will have a higher concentration of caffeine and oils that lead to more acidic production and should be avoided if you have a sensitive gut,” she explains. In addition to the roast, Werner says to also steer clear of unfiltered coffee, such as Turkish coffee, as these brews have a higher level of a compound called cafestol that can lead to stomach irritation. 

It’s also worth considering what you put in your coffee as some coffee additives such as cow’s milk, heavy cream, or high-sugar syrups can cause stomach upset. 

With that said, Gabby Reece, the co-founder of Laird Superfood, recommends not drinking coffee on its own if you experience gut issues. “I use [plant-based] creamer as a gentle buffer not only for the caffeine but for the acid,” she notes, adding that it’s worth experimenting to find what types of plant-based creamer work best for you. “Choosing the right creamer is essential because you want to make sure to consume good ingredients, but also, unfortunately, a lot of the creamers out there can have other undesirable ingredients like glyphosates,” she adds. With that in mind, she says to familiarize yourself with labels and ingredient lists to make better choices for your gut health. 

Here’s a good place to start. Shop our favorite gut-friendly coffees below to recharge your morning (or afternoon) cup, without the gut upset.

The Best Gut-Friendly Coffee