Drinking coffee has many health benefits, from reducing the risk of liver disease to promoting cognitive health. However, the way coffee is drunk may hinder some of its benefits. While some people swear by a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, others warn that drinking coffee on an empty stomach can wreak havoc on your hormones, stomach, and more.
Let’s dig deeper, distinguish fact from fiction, and determine whether it is safe to drink coffee on an empty stomach.
Good to Know:
- Yes, you can drink coffee on an empty stomach: According to current research, drinking coffee on an empty stomach is unlikely to cause serious health problems or adverse side effects for most people – as long as you drink it in moderation and don’t drink coffee. Too close to the bed.
- … But it may trigger stress and digestive problems in some people: Drinking coffee on an empty stomach may trigger or worsen symptoms of certain health conditions, such as anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and other digestive problems. Doing so may also increase the cortisol response when consumed under stressful conditions.
- Just don’t replace breakfast with coffee: even if you drink coffee in the morning on an empty stomach, be sure to follow up with breakfast. The first meal of the day is essential for energy, blood sugar balance, and more.
A Study of Coffee Drinking on an Empty Stomach
Most studies investigating coffee’s health effects have focused on overall coffee intake. There are not many studies exploring the effects of drinking coffee on an empty stomach. However, there is reason to believe that its effects on the body may be different compared to drinking coffee after a meal.
For pressure:
One difference is that when you drink coffee on an empty stomach, you may absorb caffeine faster. When coffee is consumed with food, or even with caloric beverages such as protein shakes, the absorption of caffeine will be delayed because stomach emptying slows down after ingesting nutrients such as protein and fat.
If you drink a cup of coffee on an empty stomach, you may absorb caffeine more quickly, which may lead to some side effects, especially in people who are sensitive to caffeine.
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach means that you will feel the effects of caffeine in your body more quickly, so if you are sensitive to caffeine and experience side effects such as fidgeting, nervousness, and anxiety, then drinking coffee on an empty stomach may exacerbate these symptoms.
For digestion:
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach may also reduce the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which can trigger or worsen symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). LES are ring-shaped muscles located at the lower end of the esophagus that prevent swallowed food from backing up from the stomach and protect the esophagus from stomach acid.
Coffee is an acidic beverage that causes changes in gastrointestinal motility and increases the production of stomach acid. Coffee can also relax the lower esophageal sphincter and trigger heartburn, so people with heartburn may want to avoid drinking coffee on an empty stomach if it is found to trigger their symptoms.
However, it is unclear whether drinking coffee on an empty stomach is worse than drinking coffee with meals for people with heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease. In addition, there is no evidence that coffee intake is associated with an increased risk of digestive disorders such as ulcers, whether consumed on an empty stomach or not.
For hormones:
Another common argument against drinking coffee on an empty stomach is that it can negatively affect hormone levels, specifically the stress hormone cortisol. Again, research on this particular relationship is limited, although existing research suggests that regular coffee intake doesn’t seem to have much of an effect on cortisol levels.
No studies have been studied comparing the effects of drinking coffee on an empty stomach with food on stress hormone levels, but because caffeine may increase cortisol levels and trigger anxiety on an empty stomach, it’s best to stop drinking coffee when you’re particularly stressed in the morning.
Potential Side Effects
While everyone reacts differently to coffee, drinking coffee on an empty stomach may cause the following side effects:
1. It may exacerbate acid reflux
Due to its acidity and effect on LES stress, coffee is a common trigger for digestive symptoms and conditions such as acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux. If you drink coffee, whether on an empty stomach or not, it may worsen or trigger symptoms such as reflux and nausea. That said, some people may find that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is more likely to exacerbate digestive symptoms.
2. It can make stressful situations worse
As mentioned above, caffeinated coffee intake does not appear to have a significant effect on cortisol levels overall. A 2016 study published in BMC Nutrition found that drinking 200 ml of coffee containing 160 mg of caffeine had no effect on cortisol levels, suggesting that consuming coffee in non-stressful conditions did not increase stress levels.
However, some studies have shown that caffeinated coffee increases cortisol responses in people under stressful conditions. Add to that the fact that it triggers anxiety and nervousness, and it’s best to minimize your caffeinated coffee intake if you’re feeling stressed or about to have a stressful day.
3. It may irritate the urge to poop
Studies have shown that about 33% of people feel the need to poop after drinking coffee. Substances such as caffeine and polyphenols in coffee act on the smooth muscles in the intestines and stimulate the urge to go to the toilet. Theoretically, drinking coffee on an empty stomach may increase this effect, as it absorbs faster than when paired with a meal.
4. It may reduce your appetite
If you drink coffee before a meal, it may suppress your appetite. A 2017 review published in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition found that consuming caffeine 4 hours to 30 minutes before meals helped reduce calorie intake. However, other studies have shown that drinking coffee with meals10 can also help reduce calorie intake, suggesting that caffeinated coffee may help reduce energy intake overall.
This can become a problem if it causes you to skip breakfast. Studies have shown that eating breakfast regularly can reduce the risk of cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as stabilize blood sugar and increase energy. Therefore, even if you do drink coffee on an empty stomach, it should not be considered a substitute for the most important meal of the day.
Who Should Not Drink Coffee on an Empty Stomach?
While some people may be able to tolerate a cup of coffee on an empty stomach, others may find that drinking coffee before meals triggers nausea, regurgitation, or anxiety.
People with digestive conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, acid reflux, or irritable bowel syndrome may be particularly sensitive to coffee and may find that drinking coffee with a mixed meal works best for them. Additionally, people with other medical conditions such as anxiety, arrhythmias, high blood pressure, and insomnia may need to reduce their caffeine intake, as caffeine may worsen symptoms in these populations.
However, others may find that drinking a cup of coffee on an empty stomach in the morning can give them energy and stimulate healthy bowel movements. People who practice intermittent fasting may also find that drinking a cup of black coffee during the fasting window can make the fast more bearable.
If you find that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is too harsh on your digestive system, or makes you nervous or anxious, consider pairing coffee with a protein-containing meal, reducing the amount of coffee you drink, or switching to decaffeine-free coffee.
