Drinking Coffee On An Empty Stomach? Here’s What You Should Know!
Are you someone whose morning doesn’t start before a hot cup of coffee? Is a.m. coffee fix your absolute necessity? Well, coffee does have some great health benefits, and there’s nothing wrong with prioritizing coffee in your daily life, but is it okay to make caffeine your alarm clock? Though coffee helps us feel less tired and gives us the energy boost that we need, some people assert that having it on an empty stomach messes with your health and ends up doing more harm than good.
The dilemma remains – should you or should you not drink coffee on an empty stomach? Let’s find that out together!
Does coffee interrupt with our digestive system?
For starters, coffee’s bitterness may stimulate the production of stomach acid and might lead to gut disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or cause indigestion issues. Some people suggest that having coffee on an empty stomach is more harmful since no other food is present to prevent the acid from affecting your stomach’s lining. However, all being said, researchers have failed to establish any link between coffee and digestive issues. If you are someone who experiences heartburn, vomiting or indigestion after drinking coffee on an empty stomach but not after post-meal, consider tweaking your habit!
Does coffee alleviate stress hormone levels?
It is a common argument that caffeine intake on an empty stomach raises the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. While cortisol helps in regulating metabolism, blood sugar and blood pressure levels, too much levels of cortisol can trigger numerous health problems such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and bone loss. Interestingly, coffee does stimulate cortisol production and drinking it first thing in the morning when your cortisol levels are already high is not a very healthy life choice to make. Well, coffee may cause a temporary rise in cortisol levels, but it is unlikely that it will lead to any severe health problems. Nonetheless, precaution is better than cure!
Potential side-effects of coffee
Excess of everything is bad, and it stands true for caffeine intake too! Too much coffee consumption can lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, panic attacks and restlessness. Regular coffee intake plays with your brain chemistry, so most health experts advise limiting caffeine intake to around 400 mg per day. If drinking coffee on an empty stomach has worked for you, you can continue drinking it, but it’s better to get in touch with a certified nutritionist if you are noticing any health issues.
