Is It Bad to Drink Coffee on an Empty Stomach? Here's The Truth

Coffee is among the favourite beverages of many people across the world. Apart from energizing you and making you more alert, the caffeine in coffee helps improve your mood, brain function, and exercise performance as well.

According to experts, coffee also boosts weight loss and protects against illnesses like type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. However, it is also believed that having a cup of coffee first thing in the morning could increase your risk of gastrointestinal issues.

However, experts say coffee affects every person differently. For sensitive people, drinking it on an empty stomach could lead to indigestion or other minor discomforts.

According to studies, the bitterness in coffee helps stimulate the production of stomach acid, which can irritate your stomach worsen symptoms of gut disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, and cause heartburn, ulcers, nausea, acid reflux, and indigestion.

Also, studies say an empty stomach is particularly harmful since there is no other food present to prevent the acid from damaging your stomach lining.

According to doctors, caffeine causes loosening of the lower esophageal, or a relaxing of the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the doorway between the esophagus and stomach, weakening the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. Coffee also has other effects on your body like increased urination or bowel stimulation. In many people, it also causes loose stools, which can be uncomfortable.

Experts believe beyond the gastrointestinal effects some people may find that drinking coffee on an empty stomach leads to jitteriness.

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol – a hormone produced by your adrenal glands that helps regulate metabolism, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.

According to studies, coffee stimulates cortisol production, and drinking it first thing in the morning, when the stress levels are already high, can be dangerous for your health in the long run.

Other side effects

There are a few other side effects, regardless of whether you drink coffee on an empty stomach, a few of which include:

If you experience acid reflux, stomach pains, or other symptoms then drinking coffee on an empty stomach does not help much. But if you cannot have breakfast before the morning cup, other small changes can reduce the risk of any unwanted side effects.

You can add milk or creamer to your coffee to cut down the acidity. If you are lactose intolerant, it is important to use plant-based milk.

Studies say dark roasted coffees have an impact on stimulating stomach acid than light roasted coffees, so, make your coffee accordingly.

Cut back on the coffee amount if you are experiencing jitters, acid reflux, or other issues that could be attributed to caffeine.

Drink or choose decaf.