What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Coffee on an Empty Stomach?

Coffee

is the most popular beverage across the world, with consumption levels that come second only to water in many places. While it tastes great, coffee also has many health benefits, as it helps you feel less tired and more alert. Caffeine also improves your mood, brain function, and exercise performance. While many enjoy drinking coffee first thing in the morning, it is also believed that having it on an empty stomach may harm your health. So, should you just wake up and have your cup of coffee or wait?

Coffee and digestion

According to studies, coffee’s bitterness can stimulate the production of stomach acid, and many think it may irritate the stomach, worsen symptoms of gut disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and cause heartburn, ulcers, nausea, and indigestion. So, popularly, it is believed that drinking your cup of joe on an empty stomach is harmful since there is no other food present to prevent the acid from damaging your stomach lining. However, there is no research to find a strong link between coffee and digestive troubles. Still, experts believe it is important to pay attention to how your body responds, and if you experience any digestive issues after drinking coffee on an empty stomach, stop right there.

Can coffee raise stress levels?

It is also popularly believed that coffee on an empty stomach can increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which helps regulate metabolism, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Doctors say cortisol naturally peaks when you wake up in the morning and gradually goes down. Interestingly, coffee does stimulate cortisol production, but its response is much lower among those who drink it regularly.

Does coffee give you ulcers?

It is also believed that drinking coffee on an empty stomach can increase your risk of having ulcers, which lead to burning stomach pain, bloating, and heartburn. Studies say even this is not true, as the main cause of ulcers is Helicobacter pylori infections—bacteria that eat away at your stomach’s protective lining and allow stomach acid to damage the tissue. The other top cause of ulcers is overusing NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin, and coffee does not play any role in it.

Is there a best time to drink coffee?

According to experts, there is no “best time” to have your coffee, as everyone’s body reacts differently, and it is best to listen to it. While some people have no issues drinking coffee on an empty stomach, if you are not one of them, make sure you pair it with:

Fibre

Include coffee in your breakfast meal along with whole-grain toast, cereal, or oatmeal, as it will help neutralise stomach acids.

Healthy fats

Include healthy fats like avocados, nuts, and nut butters, which reduce inflammation in your digestive tract brought on by increased stomach acid.

High-protein foods

Along with your cup of coffee, you can eat eggs, yogurt, and cottage cheese – all powerhouses of protein that slow digestion and caffeine absorption.