Coffee and caffeine intake linked to stomach symptoms in Iranian adults
What it found
In 3362 Iranian adults, coffee and caffeine intake showed no link to functional dyspepsia or its individual symptoms.
The authors found the same result when they looked at men and women separately.
What they found
Studies in people
No link to dyspepsia
After accounting for other lifestyle factors, drinking coffee or consuming caffeine was not linked to higher odds of functional dyspepsia in people. This held true even for those drinking 6 glasses or more of coffee per day.
Individual stomach symptoms
Coffee and caffeine were not tied to specific symptoms in people. These included feeling uncomfortably full after eating, being unable to finish a regular meal, or having pain or burning in the middle of the stomach.
Results by gender and weight
When researchers split the group by sex or body mass index, they still found no link between coffee or caffeine and stomach problems in people. Results were similar for men, women, normal-weight subjects, and overweight subjects.
Tea showed no link
The researchers also checked tea drinking. They found no connection between tea consumption and odds of functional dyspepsia in people.
What the authors conclude
- They found no connection between coffee or caffeine intake and functional dyspepsia or its symptoms in this group of adults.
- They suggest that future studies should look at populations who drink more coffee and test what happens when people stop drinking it.
- They advise doctors to give dietary guidance based on how sensitive each person is to caffeine.
How it was done
Earlier research suggested coffee might trigger stomach acid and speed up stomach emptying, possibly causing pain or fullness. However, no study had yet checked whether coffee or caffeine relates to these stomach problems in developing countries where the condition is common.
Researchers surveyed 3362 adults aged 18 to 55 years working in health centers in Iran. Participants filled out questionnaires about their diet, including how much coffee they drank over the past year. They also answered questions about stomach symptoms like pain, burning, feeling too full, or being unable to finish a meal.
What it can’t tell you
- Because this was a survey taken at one point in time, it cannot show that coffee causes or prevents stomach problems.
- People with stomach issues might have already cut back on coffee because of their symptoms or advice from a doctor.
- The study did not record how the coffee was prepared or roasted, which could change its effects.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval and consent participants: The study protocol was ethically approved by the Regional Bioethics Committee of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. All participants provided written informed consent forms. All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guideline and regulations.
- Authors work at
- Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Iran; Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Iran; University of Alberta, Canada
The paper
- Title
- Association between coffee and caffeine intake and functional dyspepsia
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Koochakpoor G, Salari-Moghaddam A, Keshteli AH, Esmaillzadeh A, Adibi P (2024). Association between coffee and caffeine intake and functional dyspepsia. Scientific reports. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-81670-xFree full textPubMed 39738317DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error