Is it bad to drink coffee on an empty stomach? Whether or not you should drink coffee on an empty stomach is a debatable topic. While the answer to this question depends largely on your individual sensitivity and how your body reacts, there are some important factors to keep in mind. For this reason, we reached out to celebrity nutritionist and author Pooja Makhija to learn about what happens to the body when you consume coffee on an empty stomach. Here’s what she had to say.
Is it bad to drink coffee on an empty stomach? Here’s what this celebrity nutritionist has to say
1. Causes Digestive Discomfort
Coffee increases stomach acid production, which can lead to heartburn, indigestion, and nausea, especially on an empty stomach. According to studies, consuming food before or with coffee is a good buffer when it comes to stomach acid production.
“Start your day with something that is more nourishing rather than stimulating. Coffee consists of caffeine, which wakes us up, but is a stimulant that impacts our body on all fronts, including our digestive, neurological, and cardiovascular systems. Therefore, consuming coffee on an empty stomach can cause digestive discomfort and even ulcers.” adds Pooja Makhija.
2. Increases Anxiety or Jitters
The faster absorption of caffeine on an empty stomach can increase its negative effects, such as nervousness, anxiety, and shakiness.
3. Results in Blood Sugar Fluctuations
Coffee (even without sugar) can cause a temporary rise in blood sugar, followed by a crash. This can be especially problematic for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Instead, it is advisable to eat breakfast before or with your first cup of coffee. “Line your stomach with something that has more nutrition than caffeine. Perhaps a great rush of protein, Vitamin C or antioxidants, so that you can start your day with a plus rather than a negative. And after that, you can follow it up with a cup of coffee. By no means, don’t not enjoy your cup of coffee, but have it post breakfast,” concludes celebrity nutritionist Pooja Makhija.
