Does Coffee with Milk Cause Inflammation? Separating Fact from Fiction

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2023 study from the University of Copenhagen, adding milk to coffee can double its anti-inflammatory effects by combining proteins with antioxidants. This evidence directly challenges the common belief that coffee with milk causes inflammation, but the answer is more nuanced than it appears.

Quick Summary

Recent studies suggest combining milk with coffee enhances the drink's anti-inflammatory properties by boosting polyphenol bioavailability. However, individual factors like genetics, digestive sensitivity, and added ingredients can alter the effects on inflammation.

Key Points

Polyphenols Enhance Anti-inflammatory Effects: A 2023 study found that combining coffee's antioxidants (polyphenols) with milk's proteins can double their anti-inflammatory properties in immune cells.
Individual Sensitivity is Key: The inflammatory potential of coffee with milk is not universal and often depends on individual factors, such as sensitivities to milk proteins (casein) or lactose.
Not All Dairy is Created Equal: Some individuals react poorly to the A1 beta-casein protein found in conventional milk, which can cause gastrointestinal inflammation, while A2-only milk may be better tolerated.
Additives can Counteract Benefits: The anti-inflammatory effects of coffee and milk can be cancelled out by adding excessive sugar, artificial sweeteners, or high-fat, inflammatory creamers.
Overall Dairy is Generally Neutral or Beneficial: Multiple systematic reviews suggest that for most people, dairy consumption has a neutral-to-beneficial effect on inflammation, especially in fermented forms like yogurt.
The Healthiest Options are Clean: To maximize the potential benefits, stick to moderate consumption of coffee and combine it with pure, unsweetened milk or milk alternatives.

The Anti-inflammatory Power of Coffee

For years, black coffee has been recognized as a source of powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. The key lies in its rich concentration of polyphenols, particularly chlorogenic acid (CGA). These compounds help combat oxidative stress in the body, which is a major contributor to chronic inflammation. By neutralizing harmful free radicals, coffee’s polyphenols protect healthy cells from damage. Research has repeatedly shown that moderate coffee consumption is associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers in the body and a reduced risk of chronic diseases linked to inflammation, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. For most people, a cup of pure, black coffee is a beneficial addition to an anti-inflammatory diet.

How Coffee’s Antioxidants Work

Free Radical Neutralization: Polyphenols like chlorogenic acid seek out and neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals, preventing them from causing cellular damage.
Reduction of Inflammatory Markers: Studies show regular coffee drinkers have lower levels of inflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein (CRP), and other inflammatory markers.
Cellular Protection: The protective effects of coffee's compounds help shield the body's tissues and organs from the long-term damage that can be caused by chronic low-grade inflammation.

The Surprising Role of Milk

Contrary to the belief that adding milk negates coffee's benefits or causes inflammation, new research suggests it might do the opposite. A 2023 study from the University of Copenhagen found that the amino acids in milk readily bind to coffee's polyphenols. This bonding creates new, more bioavailable compounds with enhanced anti-inflammatory effects. In cell studies, these combined molecules were shown to be twice as effective at fighting inflammation as polyphenols alone. This suggests that for individuals who tolerate dairy well, a cup of coffee with milk could offer a greater anti-inflammatory punch than black coffee. This effect is not exclusive to cow's milk; some research indicates similar results can be achieved with soy milk or other protein-rich, plant-based alternatives.

Potential Issues and Individual Differences

While the milk and coffee combination can be beneficial, there are scenarios where adding milk can lead to discomfort or trigger an inflammatory response. These instances are typically linked to individual sensitivities or the presence of other ingredients.

Casein Sensitivity and A1 vs. A2 Milk

For some individuals, the issue is not milk in general but the specific type of protein it contains. Traditional cow's milk contains a mix of A1 and A2 beta-casein proteins, while some breeds produce only A2 milk.

A1 Beta-Casein: Digestion of A1 beta-casein can produce a peptide called beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7), which has been linked to increased gastrointestinal inflammation and symptoms resembling lactose intolerance in susceptible individuals.
A2 Beta-Casein: Milk containing only A2 beta-casein does not produce this inflammatory peptide and is often tolerated better by those with dairy sensitivity.

Lactose Intolerance and Allergies

It's important to distinguish between dairy sensitivity, lactose intolerance, and a true milk allergy. A milk allergy triggers an inflammatory immune response, which can be severe. Lactose intolerance, however, is a digestive issue caused by an inability to break down milk sugar (lactose) and typically causes gastrointestinal distress rather than a systemic inflammatory response, though it can trigger inflammation in some cases.

Impact of Unhealthy Additives

Any potential health benefits of coffee with milk can be easily undermined by additives like sugar, artificial sweeteners, or high-fat creamers. These ingredients are known to contribute to systemic inflammation, obesity, and other health problems, effectively counteracting the positive effects of the coffee and milk combination.

Comparison Table: Black Coffee vs. Coffee with Milk


Feature	Black Coffee	Coffee with Milk
Antioxidant Effect	Strong. Rich in anti-inflammatory polyphenols like chlorogenic acid.	Potentially stronger due to the synergistic binding of polyphenols and milk proteins.
Caffeine Impact	Pure caffeine can cause a stress response (cortisol release) in sensitive individuals, potentially increasing inflammation.	Caffeine's impact remains, but the increased anti-inflammatory effect from the milk combination may help to balance it.
Allergies/Sensitivities	No dairy-related risk. Suitable for those with lactose intolerance or milk allergy.	Potential Risk: Can trigger an inflammatory response in individuals with casein sensitivity or a milk allergy.
Gut Health	Can have beneficial effects on gut health.	Fermented dairy (yogurt/kefir) can provide probiotics, though standard milk's effect is still being researched.
Sugar/Additives	Typically consumed without added sugar or inflammatory ingredients.	Risk of added sugar and artificial flavorings that counteract anti-inflammatory effects.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

For the majority of people without dairy sensitivity, the belief that coffee with milk causes inflammation appears to be a myth. The combination can actually enhance coffee’s anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to a unique reaction between polyphenols and milk proteins. The key is moderation and avoiding unhealthy additives like excessive sugar or artificial creamers. If you notice digestive discomfort or other negative symptoms when drinking coffee with milk, the culprit is most likely a casein sensitivity, A1 protein intolerance, or lactose intolerance. In these cases, opting for black coffee, A2 milk, or a non-dairy alternative may be a better choice. The overall consensus is that dairy's effect on inflammation is often neutral or beneficial for most people. For further insights into the benefits of coffee, Johns Hopkins Medicine offers additional resources on its website. Ultimately, the relationship between coffee, milk, and inflammation is highly individual and depends on your body's specific response and the quality of your ingredients.

What to Consider for Your Morning Brew

Know Your Body: If you experience digestive issues, it could be a sign of lactose intolerance or casein sensitivity, not necessarily general inflammation.
Choose Whole Foods: Stick to real milk or fortified, unsweetened non-dairy alternatives. Avoid artificial creamers and excessive added sugar.
Consider A2 Milk: If you suspect a casein sensitivity, switching to A2 milk might alleviate discomfort.
Experiment with Non-Dairy Options: Soy milk has a high protein content that may produce a similar polyphenol-binding effect to cow's milk.
Monitor Symptoms: Pay attention to how your body reacts to different coffee preparations to find what works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

For most people, black coffee has anti-inflammatory properties due to its rich antioxidant content. However, excessive caffeine intake can increase cortisol levels and trigger a stress response in sensitive individuals, which may contribute to inflammation over time.

Research on milk's effect on inflammation is mixed, but recent systematic reviews generally conclude that milk and dairy products have a neutral to beneficial effect on inflammation for most healthy adults. Concerns are usually linked to individual sensitivities like lactose or casein.

A1 and A2 are different types of beta-casein protein found in cow's milk. The A1 variant, when digested, can produce a peptide (BCM-7) that some individuals find inflammatory, while A2 milk does not.

Yes, excessive consumption of added sugars is a known contributor to systemic inflammation. Adding too much sugar to coffee can counteract the anti-inflammatory benefits of the coffee and milk combination.

If you have a dairy sensitivity or allergy, plant-based milks are a suitable alternative to avoid inflammation triggered by milk proteins or lactose. Some options, like soy milk, still offer protein that can bind to coffee's polyphenols, potentially boosting the anti-inflammatory effect.

In coffee with milk, the polyphenols (antioxidants) bind to the amino acids (protein building blocks) in the milk. This reaction creates new compounds with a greater capacity to fight inflammation than the polyphenols alone.

Cell-based studies have shown promising results that combining coffee and milk enhances anti-inflammatory effects. However, researchers note that further studies are needed, particularly in human subjects, to fully understand the effects.