In the quest for wellness products, especially in the realm of gut health, recent research conducted by North Carolina A&T University, along with insights from established medical literature, sheds light on the substantial acid content present in most brewed coffee. Among the various brands tested, Puroast Coffee emerges as a remarkable exception, boasting significantly lower acid levels compared to its counterparts.
Puroast Coffee employs a proprietary processing method aimed at curbing acid formation, a crucial factor considering the adverse health effects associated with high acid levels in regular coffee consumption.
Led by Dr. Salam Ibrahim, a research team published their findings in Bioactive Compounds in Health and Disease (Mar. ’24), after rigorously testing several coffee brands, including those touting “low acid” claims in their marketing. Surprisingly, most of these purportedly low acid brands exhibited double or even quadruple the acid content compared to the established Critical pH threshold defined by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and endorsed by the dental community.
Of particular concern are brands labeled as low acid, which were found to possess higher average acid levels than conventional coffee varieties. Puroast Coffee stood out as the lone exception, with its low acid claims substantiated by the NC A&T research findings. Notably, all other brands tested exhibited approximately four times the acid content found in Puroast.
Dr. Taka Shibamoto from UC Davis underscores the significance of Puroast’s markedly lower acid levels, highlighting it as a significant finding in the realm of coffee research.
Coffee’s reputation as a major source of acid-related health issues is well-documented, with leading health resources like WebMD.com citing it as a primary cause of heartburn. According to Dr. Leena Khaitan, MD, coffee ranks as the worst beverage for Acid Reflux, while Registered Dietician Andrea Dunn points to coffee’s acidity as a culprit behind gastrointestinal discomforts such as heartburn, acid reflux, and bloating.
The prevalence of mislabeling among certain coffee brands, particularly those claiming low acid content, raises serious concerns, especially considering the potential health risks associated with high acid diets. In light of these revelations, regulatory agencies are anticipated to scrutinize this matter closely.