All Of A Sudden ... Can't Drink Coffee!

[Guest AlabamaGirl]

About 6 months ago, I sort of accidently discovered that I'm gluten intolerant so I cut out all gluten (though there has been quite a learning curve), and after going gluten-free all of my 'symptoms' immediately disappeared (things that had been going on for years!). Anyway, about two weeks ago, I started feeling horrible stomach pains and nauseated right after drinking coffee. As little as a half-cup of coffee causes a severe stomach ache and nausea within 10-20 minutes of drinking it. Tested it again two days ago and the symptoms were as bad, if not worse. Is there such a thing as coffee intolerance??? Could it somehow be related to gluten intolerance??? Oh my, how I miss my morning coffee. Switching brands, brewing it weaker and switching to decaf did not work. Yup, it's definitely the coffee. Anyone relate?

[CarlaB]

Yep, I can relate. Ended up not being the coffee, but the cream. I am casein intolerant.

[Guest southgoingzax]

Not that you should keep trying if it makes you ill, but have you tried brewing with a french press? It allows the natural coffee bean oils into the coffe, making it way less acidic and bitter. Coffee will make me ill too, if I drink more than one cup. Not using a non-dairy creamer or artificial sweetener? Also, no chance it's an ulcer?

zax

[eKatherine]

About 6 months ago, I sort of accidently discovered that I'm gluten intolerant so I cut out all gluten (though there has been quite a learning curve), and after going gluten-free all of my 'symptoms' immediately disappeared (things that had been going on for years!). Anyway, about two weeks ago, I started feeling horrible stomach pains and nauseated right after drinking coffee. As little as a half-cup of coffee causes a severe stomach ache and nausea within 10-20 minutes of drinking it. Tested it again two days ago and the symptoms were as bad, if not worse. Is there such a thing as coffee intolerance??? Could it somehow be related to gluten intolerance??? Oh my, how I miss my morning coffee. Switching brands, brewing it weaker and switching to decaf did not work. Yup, it's definitely the coffee. Anyone relate?

That happened to me. Abdominal tenderness and cramping, feverish, feeling of being deathly ill. Decaf didn't help me, either. I found I can drink a cup of coffee once or twice a year.

Eating breakfast out isn't the same without coffee. Most places can't make tea worth drinking.

[Guest AlabamaGirl]

Yeah, it's straight up coffee with real half&half so there's no gluten issues in the creamer, and I don't think it's the milk b/c I don't seem to have problems with any other milk products. It's just the coffee. I did consider an ulcer but I'm not having any other abdominal issues besides the coffee thing. (Though I suppose that doesn't totally rule out an ulcer.) Even gluten doesn't always upset my stomach. My first indication I've eaten gluten is mouth ulcers and hives.

[mle-ii]

Yeah, it's straight up coffee with real half&half so there's no gluten issues in the creamer, and I don't think it's the milk b/c I don't seem to have problems with any other milk products. It's just the coffee. I did consider an ulcer but I'm not having any other abdominal issues besides the coffee thing. (Though I suppose that doesn't totally rule out an ulcer.) Even gluten doesn't always upset my stomach. My first indication I've eaten gluten is mouth ulcers and hives.

I would try it without the half & half just to be sure.

[CarlaB]

Yeah, it's straight up coffee with real half&half so there's no gluten issues in the creamer, and I don't think it's the milk b/c I don't seem to have problems with any other milk products. It's just the coffee. I did consider an ulcer but I'm not having any other abdominal issues besides the coffee thing. (Though I suppose that doesn't totally rule out an ulcer.) Even gluten doesn't always upset my stomach. My first indication I've eaten gluten is mouth ulcers and hives.

This is exactly how I felt for four months. It ended up being the half & half. I was having a different reaction to the coffee/cream than the other sources of milk. Sometimes I didn't react to the other milk products at all, sometimes I thought I had gotten glutened. But somehow the coffee/cream always had its own reaction. I, too, thought it was the coffee, especially since I'm sensitive to soy as well and didn't know it, so I'd also react when I had it with soy creamer! I'm not saying you are casein intolerant, but I wouldn't discount it yet.

[rinne]

I was told, by an Italian (don't know why that should make a difference though he clearly thought it did), that the combination of coffee and milk is hard on the liver and should be avoided. Have you tried drinking your coffee black? Sorry if I missed you saying whether or not you did.

I have had to give up coffee too except for every now and then later in the day when I might have half a cup and be willing to suffer a little for it. This thread is making me think of doing so, French Press of course.

Oh, and I had to give up dairy too.

[celiacgirls]

I don't have any symptoms from drinking coffee but once I went gluten free, I am completely turned off by the idea of drinking coffee. At the same time, I miss it. Drinking Coke or Dr. Pepper in the morning is just not the same.

[key]

I know people who can't drink coffee, because it makes their stomach hurt right away.

Monica

[Felidae]

This is exactly how I felt for four months. It ended up being the half & half. I was having a different reaction to the coffee/cream than the other sources of milk. Sometimes I didn't react to the other milk products at all, sometimes I thought I had gotten glutened. But somehow the coffee/cream always had its own reaction. I, too, thought it was the coffee, especially since I'm sensitive to soy as well and didn't know it, so I'd also react when I had it with soy creamer! I'm not saying you are casein intolerant, but I wouldn't discount it yet.

Me too! At four months gluten-free I had to cut out dairy. I kept trying to eat dairy with very poor results. But finally at one year I reintroduced cheese. I have been able to eat cheese since June. I 've been too scared to try any other dairy.

Yep, try going dairy free for awhile. You may feel much better. I sure did.

[wozzy]

Pure coffee is really hard on my stomach. I stick to chai tea.

Um you only get it after drinking coffee?

[Guest AlabamaGirl]

Pure coffee is really hard on my stomach. I stick to chai tea.

Um you only get it after drinking coffee?

I think so but it took me a few months to figure out that it was gluten causing a problem so I could be confused about the coffee. I have not tried it black, but I may do so. I won't rule out the dairy but I really want to (sigh). Who wants to give up ice cream? And I thought once I had identified gluten that my life could return to normal somewhat. It's depressing to think that there might be more things that I could be intolerant to. How's a person supposed to figure all this out?

Is milk intolerance common in gluten-intolerant people? If so, why would it hit after I had been (mostly) gluten free for about 4-6 months?

Me too! At four months gluten-free I had to cut out dairy. I kept trying to eat dairy with very poor results. But finally at one year I reintroduced cheese. I have been able to eat cheese since June. I 've been too scared to try any other dairy.

Yep, try going dairy free for awhile. You may feel much better. I sure did.

Okay, so if it is the dairy, can I go back to eating it at some point? I thought intolerances were for life? Can I one day go back to eating gluten??? Wouldn't that be grand???

[moonmaiden]

Coffee is Very acidic. If you've changed your diet to a lot protein and fruit then that's also acidic this could be disrupting your ability to digest. I've had this problem too off and on and I think it's based on whether I've been "tipping the acid/alkaline balance". Folger's just came out with a "low acid" coffee - I haven't tried it yet, but I'm going to. Most vegetables are alkaline so try to get more veggies in your diet. moon

[CarlaB]

My casein intolerance also became more apparent at 4 months off gluten.

[RebeccaMSL]

Coffee is a known inflammatory agent, b/c of its acidic nature and the caffiene. I would try not to drink it on an empty stomach...I think there's a reason that coffee and donuts go together... BTW, kinnikinnick.com has YUMMY gluten-free donuts in case you want to order yourself some! If you want to tease out whether its the acid that is bothering you, take Zantac (Over the Counter) and then have coffee and see if that helps. I'm neither for or against drugs, but some are very helpful. I am grateful that I don't have to give up wine and coffee. Rebecca

[ebrbetty]

Try Kava coffee and see if you feel better its all i can drink

http://www.kavacoffee.com/

[Guest AlabamaGirl]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I feel quite alone in all of this. My entire life (all 35 years), I always ate whatever I wanted and never struggled in this area like so many that I know, so this is all entirely new to me. I guess I'm going to try & figure out if it's the dairy or the coffee and go from there. Praying it's just the coffee, but I believe some yogurt the other day may have had the same affect on my stomach so it may actually be dairy. Hoping (praying!!!) it's just the coffee ... Really hoping it's not both!

[Eivyde]

A month ago I found out I have celiac disease. My whole life used to get insane heartburn and acid reflux. Literally had no idea what it's like not to have acid in esophagus at all times. It also made me anemic as my intestines would not absorb nutrients from food I ate because of gluten in my system. So I had to cut out all gluten in my diet and have been feeling great since! 

Strangely enough, having coffee (black, swiss gold or aeropress or plunger with no sugar) started making me feel nauseous within minutes of having it in the morning on empty stomach. Never had that issue before. Not sure whether it's the levels of acid that my body has become tolerant to or what it is, but it's ruining my mornings! If I eat something with coffee it's fine though. Coffee itself is gluten free and I get higher quality beans so it's nothing cheap and nasty. 

Anyone encountered black coffee issue? 

[54237435]

Most of what is discussed seems to tie the issue back to intangible / impossible to verify issues. The simple fact is that coffee sets off the a-glaidin response the same way gluten does, but to a lesser extent. So for someone with Celiac, and therefore a severe a-gliadin response, coffee will give you all the same symptoms. Here is a full list of things [1] that set off the a-gliadin response and should be avoided: dairy, oats, millet, coffee, milk chocolate, soy, corn, rice, potato.

[1]: http://www.thepaleomom.com/2013/03/gluten-cross-reactivity-update-how-your-body-can-still-think-youre-eating-gluten-even-after-giving-it-up.html

[kareng]

18 minutes ago, 54237435 said:

Most of what is discussed seems to tie the issue back to intangible / impossible to verify issues. The simple fact is that coffee sets off the a-glaidin response the same way gluten does, but to a lesser extent. So for someone with Celiac, and therefore a severe a-gliadin response, coffee will give you all the same symptoms. Here is a full list of things [1] that set off the a-gliadin response and should be avoided: dairy, oats, millet, coffee, milk chocolate, soy, corn, rice, potato.

[1]: http://www.thepaleomom.com/2013/03/gluten-cross-reactivity-update-how-your-body-can-still-think-youre-eating-gluten-even-after-giving-it-up.html

There is no currently acceptable science to that theory.  In fact, the company that originally tried to push the coffee one, admitted that the coffee they tested with was an instant coffee that contained gluten.  I usually try to find actual scientific/ medical sources for my medical advice.  

" There is not yet reliable data about cross-reactivity. As for the alleged possibility that many gluten-free foods or drinks (such as coffee, milk, orange juice, etc.) would trigger symptoms in celiac individuals due to hidden antigens mimicking gluten or cross-reacting with anti-gluten antibodies, it must be clearly stated that this is all false information, devoid of any scientific basis, and must be rejected as untrue. June, 2013"

  http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/faq/whats-with-all-the-talk-about-certain-types-of-food-causing-cross-reactivity/

Edited April 4, 2016 by kareng

[54237435]

1 hour ago, kareng said:

There is no currently acceptable science to that theory.  In fact, the company that originally tried to push the coffee one, admitted that the coffee they tested with was an instant coffee that contained gluten.  I usually try to find actual scientific/ medical sources for my medical advice.  

" There is not yet reliable data about cross-reactivity. As for the alleged possibility that many gluten-free foods or drinks (such as coffee, milk, orange juice, etc.) would trigger symptoms in celiac individuals due to hidden antigens mimicking gluten or cross-reacting with anti-gluten antibodies, it must be clearly stated that this is all false information, devoid of any scientific basis, and must be rejected as untrue. June, 2013"

  http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/faq/whats-with-all-the-talk-about-certain-types-of-food-causing-cross-reactivity/

Did you even read the article? It addresses this. Here is the science: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=26626

What are your credentials in science, exactly?

[cyclinglady]

51 minutes ago, 54237435 said:

Did you even read the article? It addresses this. Here is the science: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=26626

What are your credentials in science, exactly?

I read it.  It specifically states instant coffee.  I am not here to argue about coffee.  It is safe for people with celiac disease.  Of course, we all know that we have individual intolerances and those need to be identified and addressed in order for us to completely feel well.  

I did find another research project on PUB MED and one the the authors (A. Vojdani)  was on the research paper you cited.    

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3916846/#!po=78.3333

I think (I am not a scientist), that these particular researchers are looking for ways to identify people who do not have  celiac disease, but may have a wheat allergy or a sensitivity to gluten.  There is no specific test for these people.  Doctors must rule out celiac disease, wheat allergies and then test with the gluten-free diet.  It would be nice to have a test to confirm a gluten sensitivity.  But it is not available yet!  Each  year we are getting closer.  Dr. Fasano is even researching to see how gluten may be linked to diseases like autism or schizophrenia.  The theory (yes, theory) is that gluten is associated with other disorders.  Exciting research, but nothing is set in stone yet!   Just like the paper you presented.  

Be careful when reading research papers.  They typically use words like "suggested", "indicated", or "maybe responsible.  Even though the researchers discovered some exciting results, they ended the report I linked with:

"The pathophysiological consequences of molecular mimicry involving wheat and milk with human tissue antigens are difficult to predict, as is the detection of antibodies against them in human sera. This is because they can be influenced by multiple factors, including an individual’s genotype, the timing and level of exposure, and the health of the gut and blood brain barriers, and as such these complex interactions deserve further study."

If you are personally having continuing problems with gluten, you may consider a modified diet like this that discusses trace gluten (one of the authors is Dr. Fasano): 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3598839/pdf/1471-230X-13-40.pdf

Feel free to give up the other foods that were on the list you cite.    You might feel better and that is all that matters.  I wish you well.  

 

[Skittle]

I have been eating very little gluten and I started drinking unsweetened almond milk. I have been doing this for at least a  year. I can tell that I feel bloated when I eat regular breads or Cake type foods.  I have not had coffee in a very long time.  I drank some this morning and I have felt sick ALL day!  I'm glad I found this page because now I don't feel so crazy....

[Ennis-TX]

53 minutes ago, Skittle said:

I have been eating very little gluten and I started drinking unsweetened almond milk. I have been doing this for at least a  year. I can tell that I feel bloated when I eat regular breads or Cake type foods.  I have not had coffee in a very long time.  I drank some this morning and I have felt sick ALL day!  I'm glad I found this page because now I don't feel so crazy....

1. If you drink flavored coffee, or from certain off brands, bulk coffee from whole bins at a store, or from some brands it can be gluten contaminated. I did a huge research and testing run a few months back, Even confirmed 2 companies that make flavored coffees use gluten containing ingredients in the coffee flavorings, and found years ago that those kids that load the the bloody bulk bins at stores will use the same scoop for gluten grains as they do the nuts, seeds, and coffee. End results I found 1 wonderful company that makes gluten free flavored coffee,

2. In some cases you could be reacting to the tanins these are harsh and in some people hard to break down causing a slow sluggish feeling and over all feeling cruddy.

3. You could have a intolerance to coffee.

4. Could be a issue with Caffeine, some people find they react badly to caffeine even making them more sleepy and tired,

5. It could also be how acidic the coffee is.