Medical expert of the article
New publications
Can I drink coffee when I have pancreatitis?
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

The morning of many people begins with a cup of coffee, and then more than once during the day. This drink helps to wake up, charges with vivacity, gives energy and is simply tasty and aromatic. For those suffering from pancreatitis, any product, before getting on the table, undergoes a brain "test" for its attitude to the pancreas. A question arises in relation to it. So, is it possible to drink coffee with pancreatitis?
Coffee for chronic pancreatitis, cholecystitis and gastritis
The drink itself cannot provoke the development of pathology. Exacerbation of the existing disease excludes the drink from the diet until stable remission occurs. In chronic pancreatitis, drinking it on an empty stomach is also undesirable, since caffeine promotes increased secretion of hydrochloric acid, which conflicts with the task of the organ - to neutralize the acidic environment that has entered the duodenum from the stomach through pancreatic juice. It is best to drink the drink after meals, and if only this does not provoke any unpleasant symptoms: pain, heaviness, belching, then enjoy a couple of cups a day.
If pancreatitis is complicated by cholecystitis, and this is most often the case, then stimulating the production of gastric juice is completely useless. It will provoke increased secretion of bile, pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, heaviness will occur. An acute attack often ends in a hospital bed. Therefore, coffee is highly undesirable for pancreatitis and cholecystitis, especially drunk before meals. When a person suffers completely without it, then sometimes you can allow yourself a weak drink from natural ground beans with the addition of milk.
Coffee contains caffeine and katefol, which, when they get into the stomach, irritate its walls, increase the production of gastric juice, thus both the gastric mucosa and the pancreas are exposed to aggressive influence. The severity of the drink restriction depends on the classification of gastritis by the level of secretion. With increased acidity, the ban is more categorical, and low acidity allows infrequent drinking of a weak drink made from ground coffee with milk no earlier than an hour after eating.
Benefits
Coffee is not only a pleasure for its lovers, but also a certain benefit for the body. Numerous studies show that this drink is quite ambiguous in relation to various human organs and their pathologies. Thus, its positive role in cancer prevention has been proven due to its antioxidants and phenolic compounds. It reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, since the cafestol compound in its composition stimulates the production of insulin by the pancreas. Caffeine suppresses appetite, directs energy to metabolism by releasing the hypothalamic hormone oxytocin, therefore it provides a good service to those losing weight. Its positive role in the prevention of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases has also been noted. It increases muscle strength in the elderly.
The effect of coffee on the pancreas
There are different types of coffee and ways to prepare it. Let's look at the effect of some on the pancreas:
- instant coffee and the pancreas - many people prefer it, hoping that it contains less caffeine than natural coffee, but this is not entirely true. It does not contain much less caffeine, but it contains an excess of flavorings, preservatives, and dyes. Because of them, it is the most unsuitable option for the pancreas, and it also greatly increases acidity, washes out useful components from the body: vitamins, minerals, and dehydrates it;
- coffee with milk for pancreatitis - adding milk neutralizes the effect of caffeine, reduces digestive activity. It is more preferable for chronic inflammation of the organ, if you drink it after meals and not too often;
- natural coffee for pancreatitis - it is obtained from beans by roasting and grinding. It is brewed in a Turk and in order for it to be less intense, it is brought to a boil only once and immediately removed from the heat. To avoid negative consequences regarding the pancreas, it is preferable to drink not on an empty stomach and no more than twice a day. The pain or heaviness that appears is a signal to stop drinking the drink;
- Decaffeinated coffee for pancreatitis - the so-called decaffeination does not completely remove caffeine, but significantly (5 times) reduces its content. Along with this positive moment, such coffee becomes more acidic, which is very undesirable for the pancreas, and it removes calcium no less than usual.
[ 6 ]
Possible risks
Coffee can aggravate the inflammatory process of the digestive system, and the washing out of valuable microelements for a person with its help can lead to a slowdown in recovery after the acute phase of the disease. Other risks and possible complications are associated with its ability to narrow blood vessels, and therefore increase blood pressure, hinder the absorption of calcium, which leads to brittle bones, stimulate diuresis, cause anxiety and addiction.
[ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ], [ 14 ], [ 15 ], [ 16 ], [ 17 ], [ 18 ], [ 19 ]
What can replace coffee for pancreatitis?
If you can't combine the pathology with your favorite drink and the pancreas doesn't accept it, what can you replace coffee with for pancreatitis? Here are possible drinks for pancreatitis:
- chicory - the root of this plant contains many useful components. When it gets into the stomach, it does not cause a sharp release of gastric and pancreatic juice, inulin in its composition reduces the sugar level in the blood, which is very important in case of insulin production disorders. Chicory powder is sold in the retail network, it has a bitter taste, the addition of milk makes it similar to coffee with milk. If necessary, when a strict taboo on coffee is imposed, it is quite capable of replacing it;
- green tea for pancreatitis - this drink is a great alternative to coffee. Unlike black tea, it undergoes minimal fermentation, so it is healthy. It contains caffeine not in pure form, but in a bound form and is called theine. It has a softer effect on the organs and has a unique ability to relieve inflammation, swelling of the pancreas, as well as reduce glucose levels, normalize carbohydrate metabolism, break down fats, and remove bad cholesterol. It is best to drink it half an hour after eating;
- green coffee for pancreatitis is the natural color of coffee beans, and the lack of processing makes it more useful for inflammation of the pancreas than other varieties. It processes fats well, which is important in case of organ secretion disorders. And yet, a drink made from green beans also needs to be dosed;
- cocoa for pancreatitis - a fragrant and tasty drink is recommended only during the period of stable remission of the disease. At first, it is prepared weakly concentrated in milk mixed with water, in the absence of negative manifestations, you can increase the amount of powder. You should not get carried away with it, because it stimulates pancreatic secretion due to the purines and oxalates contained in it. Often, various harmful chemicals are used in its soluble forms, which is dangerous for the diseased organ.