Replied by Deborah (Chino Valley, Az) on 03/13/2012

Really any substance can create inflammation in the body... It just depends on what that individual's body is sensitive to. For some of us, coffee is just too harsh a substance and brings about pain or inflammation. It can also bring about many other symptoms which is sad because I LOVE coffee. But, the reality is my BODY does not love coffee so I've had to learn to compromise.

An occasional cup, maybe once per week, decaffeinated and cut with chicory (I use Cafe du Monde's decaf chicory coffee which tastes 100% like regular coffee but is made from a coffee/chicory blend) seems to be better tolerated by my system. I find this coffee at World Market but I'm sure it can be purchased elsewhere. It comes caffeinated and decaffeinated if the caffeine element is important to you. The chicory seems to really help 'soften' the harshness of the coffee on my kidneys and liver and overall my body tolerates it well... As long as I keep it to no more than 2 cups per week.

Maybe a shift in how often you drink coffee and the kind of coffee you drink will help your body too.

Good luck!