Mic Magazine dug into low-acid coffee with real medical experts, and trücup was at the center of it. Read the full article → HERE
What the gastroenterologists said
Mic spoke with two New York-based gastroenterologists for the piece. Lisa Ganjhu, clinical associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, explained the double mechanism: "Caffeine will relax the lower esophageal sphincter thereby allowing acid to wash up into the esophagus, and the increase in acids can further irritate the stomach."
Chris Demetriou, also a gastroenterologist, confirmed the implication for low-acid coffee directly: "The less acid the coffee, the less initial irritation you will experience while drinking." Both doctors agreed that lower-acid coffee could benefit people with sensitive stomachs or diagnosed stomach conditions.
Why exercise makes it worse
The article also explained something that's genuinely useful for anyone who runs or trains on coffee: "During exercise it has been shown, for a number of different reasons, that the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter weakens, which allows acid from the stomach to reflux into the esophagus." Add the bouncing motion of running to an already-acidic cup of coffee, and you have a reliable recipe for mid-run stomach problems.
The trücup process
trücup uses a specific temperature and pressure of water and steam to target the acids that cause stomach irritation, leaving the body, flavor, and caffeine intact. The result is coffee that tests at 5.74 pH, compared to 5.02 for Dunkin' and 5.08 for Starbucks. That's roughly 60% less acid per cup, from a process that uses no chemicals or additives.
For runners, athletes, or anyone who finds that coffee and an active lifestyle don't mix well, the acid variable is usually the first worth changing. More on the science is in our coffee and heartburn guide and our coffee for acid reflux article.