EFFECT OF DECAFFEINATION OF COFFEE OR TEA ON GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX

Background: Coffee and tea are believed to cause gastro-oesophageal re flux; however, the effects of these beverages and of their major compo nent, caffeine, have not been quantified. The aim of this study was to evaluate gastro-oesophageal reflux induced by coffee and tea before a nd after a decaffeination process, and to compare it with water and wa ter-containing caffeine. Methods: Three-hour ambulatory pH-metry was p erformed on 16 healthy volunteers, who received 300 ml of (i) regular coffee, decaffeinated coffee or tap water (n = 16), (ii) normal tea, d ecaffeinated tea, tap water, or coffee adapted to normal tea in caffei ne concentration (n = 6), and (iii) caffeine-free and caffeine-contain ing water (n = 8) together with a standardized breakfast. Results: Reg ular coffee induced a significant (P < 0.05) gastro-oesophageal reflux compared with tap water and normal tea, which were not different from each other. Decaffeination of coffee significantly (P < 0.05) diminis hed gastro-oesophageal reflux, whereas decaffeination of tea or additi on of caffeine to water had no effect. Coffee adapted to normal tea in caffeine concentration significantly (P < 0.05) increased gastro-oeso phageal reflux. Conclusions: Coffee, in contrast to tea, increases gas tro-oesophageal reflux, an effect that is less pronounced after decaff eination. Caffeine does not seem to be responsible for gastro-oesophag eal reflux which must be attributed to other components of coffee.