The 7 Best Low-Acid Coffee Brands That Won't Hurt Your Stomach

Sometimes life is unfair. You love ice cream, but you're lactose intolerant. You pine for peanut butter, but you have a nut allergy. You're crazy about coffee, but it always messes with your stomach.

While a food sensitivity or allergy may limit the stuff you can eat, luckily, you don't need to forego your coffee fix to get stomach relief. Instead, you can swap your usual brew for a low-acid option to curb uncomfortable GI symptoms.

Here, dietitians discuss what types of low-acid coffee to sip for a pain-free java experience.

"Dark roasts tend to also be lower in acidity than light or medium roasts, and it seems to be related to the longer roasting time," says Amanda Sauceda, RDN, CLT, a gut health dietitian.

Here's why: This extended roasting process results in fewer compounds that stimulate the release of stomach acid.

Unlike dark roast coffees, it's the shorter brewing process that makes espresso less acidic, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

That's because espresso is unfiltered. So, the less time it brews, the less acid filters into your coffee cup, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Another reason espresso may be gentler on the stomach is the portion size, Sauceda says. Indeed, a smaller shot of espresso — versus a venti at Starbucks — may temper the effect of acid on your tummy.

The long steeping process is key to cold brew coffee's low acidity. Steeping the beans in cold or room-temperature water for up to 24 hours results in less bitterness and less acid, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

For more adventurous coffee drinkers, coffee blends that contain extracts of mushrooms or the chicory plant (part of the dandelion family) also add less acid to your java, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Not to mention these nontraditional coffee roasts come with big health benefits. For instance, antioxidant-rich mushroom coffee can help reduce inflammation and support the immune system, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Plus, it's lower in caffeine, which can be especially advantageous to people with a higher caffeine sensitivity.

With these low-acid coffee brands, you can enjoy your java without an upset stomach, heartburn or acid reflux.

"Purity Coffee has a dark roast, so it can be less acidic," Sauceda says. "They also roast their special grade beans to maximize the antioxidants."

Bonus: Purity Coffee's dark roast has a robust flavor with notes of dark chocolate and caramelized sugar (yum).

"Trücup is a great-tasting, low-acid coffee that brings you beans from Seattle, the coffee capital of the world," says plant-based dietitian Amy Gorin, RDN.

"The brand uses a natural process to remove acids from the coffee," but all the flavor, caffeine and aroma remains in your cup, Gorin adds.

Trücup's Born to be Mild variety has a pH level of 5.74, which is 60 percent less acidic than other leading coffee brands.

Smooth, bold and aromatic, Cafe Don Pedro's French Roast is made from green coffee beans, which are naturally less acidic. And because it comes in K-cups (which are compatible with Keurig coffee makers), making a quick cup is incredibly convenient.

"Golden Ratio is not only low-acid (which results in a coffee that sips like tea) but it's also certified FODMAP-friendly by Monash University, making this a safe option for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)," says registered dietitian Andrew Akhaphong, RD.

"As an individual with IBS myself, it is sometimes difficult to enjoy any caffeinated beverage without running the risk for IBS-like symptoms," Akhaphong says. But you can sip Golden Ratio coffee without worry, he adds.

About 28 percent less acidic than common store-bought coffee brands, Lifeboost's non-GMO, USDA-certified organic coffee beans are hand-picked for a perfect cup of joe every time. Plus, the coffee is fairly traded and free of pesticides and harsh chemical fertilizers.

And their dark roast only contains premium beans of a harvest for a truly spectacular flavor.

Blending coffee beans from Brazil, Sumatra and other Arabica coffees, which are naturally lower in acid, Volcanica Coffee beans are roasted for longer periods of time to guarantee that the acidic components are processed out.

While it's easier on the stomach, this coffee doesn't sacrifice flavor, flaunting hints of chocolate, nuts and tangerine.

Made with 100 percent organic Arabica beans, Mommee Coffee uses proprietary roasting methods to reduce chlorogenic acid, which can trigger tummy troubles, acid reflux and heartburn.

And because it's decaf (the decaffeination process uses only water rather than chemicals) it's safe for pregnant people who need to limit their daily caffeine intake.