Coffee can provide many benefits – it’s good for the heart and liver, improves cognitive and athletic performance, lowers depression, decreases the risk of type II diabetes and certain cancers, protects you from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, can extend your lifespan, and much more – but coffee can cause digestive issues in some people due to its acidity.

Fortunately, there’s a way to reduce the acidity of your coffee with two common pantry items: baking soda and cinnamon. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Fill the grounds half way and add a small amount of aluminum-free baking soda.

Step 2: Sprinkle some organic cinnamon.

Step 3: Fill the grounds the rest of the way.

Step 4: Enjoy your coffee!

If you find that the acidity of coffee upsets your stomach, you’re not the only one. Coffee contains a large amount of chlorogenic acid, and according to a 2006 study, regular exposure to this chemical can lead to a condition known as gastritis – chronic irritation of the stomach lining.

The above may apply to only a small subset of the population, but for the rest of us, coffee is still known to stimulate contractions of the stomach and intestinal tract, as well as bile secretion. On an empty stomach, that newly secreted (highly acidic) bile can really cause mayhem! You can avoid this by drinking coffee with a solid meal, or by “creating” a meal with your coffee as I discussed yesterday.

Also, if you’re used to sipping your morning brew with milk and sugar, you would do well to cut them out. Milk can increase acidity in your body and can play a role in preventing your body from absorbing the beneficial nutrients found in coffee. Sugar is pro-inflammatory and tends to exacerbate any issues you may have with chronic inflammation or pain.

Bottom Line: To make coffee easier on your stomach, try adding some baking soda and cinnamon to the grounds, have your coffee with a meal, and skip the milk and sugar.