Could your pumpkin spice latte be giving you heartburn?

Why pumpkin spice lattes may be harder on your stomach

When certain seasons roll around, it can feel almost impossible not to get involved. Autumn and Christmas, in particular, inspire cravings for comforting, warming foods and delicious drinks - and few autumn classics hit the spot quite like the pumpkin spice latte.

However, pharmacist Sobia Qasim warns that this flavoursome and popular coffee drink could be quietly exacerbating heartburn, particularly in people taking weight loss medication.

The Superintendent Pharmacist at Curley explains that the combination of coffee, cream, and a generous serving size may be harder on the stomach for people already experiencing digestive side effects.

Sobia Qasim

Weight loss medicines that slow down how quickly your stomach empties - for example, Mounjaro, which contains terzepatide - can sometimes lead to digestive symptoms such as heartburn and acid reflux. Coffee and high-fat foods can also make reflux worse for some people. So, the concern is more about these known triggers than any direct link between pumpkin spice lattes and weight loss medicines.

“A large seasonal latte can combine coffee, a substantial amount of milk, and a generous cream topping,” says Qasim. “If you are already experiencing heartburn while taking a weight loss injection, that combination may be uncomfortable.

“People vary in what they can tolerate. You do not automatically need to give up your favourite autumn drink, but noticing whether symptoms follow a particular order can help you work out what to change.”

How to enjoy autumn without giving up your favourite drink

If you’re taking weight loss medication and/or are prone to heartburn, you don’t necessarily have to say goodbye to one of your much-loved autumn traditions. A few simple changes may help you enjoy the season while being kinder to your stomach.

Qasim shares five practical tips for people who notice heartburn after enjoying seasonal drinks.

1. Cut down on size

Although it might seem like just a drink, a large latte can contain a significant volume of liquid, adding to the overall amount you consume throughout the day. If you usually order a large pumpkin spice drink, try choosing a smaller size to see whether this makes a difference to your symptoms.

Qasim notes that the NHS recommends avoiding large drinks with meals if you’re susceptible to acid reflux.

2. Be mindful of extra additions

Pumpkin spice lattes often come with whipped cream and a generous amount of milk. Qasim says that higher-fat ingredients such as these can trigger acid reflux.

She suggests asking for your drink without whipped cream and checking whether a lower-fat milk option is available. This may reduce the chance of your drink aggravating your stomach.

While making these changes might not stop your heartburn completely, they can help you identify which ingredients may be contributing to your symptoms.

3. Assess the effects of caffeine

Cream, milk, and portion size aside, it’s also worth considering whether the caffeine in your autumn drink could be making your heartburn worse.

If your symptoms continue despite making the changes above, you could try cutting back on caffeine or switching to a decaffeinated version.

Qasim explains that going decaf isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution, particularly if milk, cream, or the size of your drink also affects your symptoms. However, health professionals, including Cambridge University Hospitals, advise some people with heartburn to reduce their caffeine intake to help manage symptoms.

4. Timing may be important

The time of day you have your pumpkin spice latte may also affect your heartburn. For example, having a rich drink alongside a large evening meal may be more likely to cause discomfort.

Qasim suggests remaining upright after eating and avoiding meals within three to four hours of bedtime, particularly for people whose reflux is worse at night.

5. Peppermint isn’t always the answer

Many people turn to peppermint tea when trying to ease acid reflux. While it may work for some people, Qasim says that swapping coffee for peppermint tea could actually worsen acid reflux in others.

Again, it’s important to monitor your symptoms and take note of whether your heartburn improves or worsens when you change what you drink.

“If heartburn keeps happening, speak to your pharmacist or prescriber,” Qasim advises. “You should not have to put up with symptoms that regularly affect eating or sleep.

“Keeping a brief note of your drink, portion size, and when symptoms appear can make that conversation more useful.”