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Written by Cara Stevens and Medically Reviewed by Scott Pearlman, M.D.
The lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, is the gateway between your esophagus and your stomach. When it’s relaxed, acids flow back up from the stomach, into your esophagus and cause heartburn. Coffee and tea contain theobromine, which relaxes the LES and allows stomach acids to flow back up into the esophagus. Even decaf coffee and decaf teas can trigger it. Some people can tolerate a six-ounce cup of coffee or tea with food, although most coffee house servings are two or three times that size, so opt for the smallest cup if necessary.
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