Introduction

Many people drink coffee in the morning and for some it’s the first thing they do every day. The rumor is that on an empty stomach drinking coffee can cause gastrointestinal upset or the jitters. However, everyone is different and not all people will be affected negatively or positively by drinking coffee on an empty stomach. Either way it is important to listen to what your body is telling you. If your experiencing discomfort or pain after drinking coffee first thing you should then definitely try to consume breakfast beforehand and contact your doctor for advice. No matter how many good or bad symptoms you get from coffee you must way up the pros and cons and decide for yourself if it’s worth carrying on your routine or changing it to suit your body better. This article will answer the question of whether or not it can be bad to drink coffee on an empty stomach by looking over the different aspects and occurrences drinking coffee can bring you.

The connection with coffee and the digestive system

Hydrochloric acid is the substance your body uses to break down protein and absorb nutrients filtering out the harmful bacteria but a higher than usual amount of hydrochloric acid can cause symptoms of stomach pains, bloating, nausea and heartburn. Coffee energizes gastrin in the body which is a hormone responsible for the secretion of hydrochloric acid. When you wake up in the morning your body clock is reset and eating breakfast will inform your digestive system that it is morning too. So those people who get stomach pain after drinking coffee on an empty stomach are getting those symptoms because their systems are getting a small shock from digesting something after hours of being asleep. Your body may just be responding sensitively to the caffeine but it is nothing to be alarmed about.

The positives of drinking coffee

On the other hand, not everyone will get these symptoms from drinking coffee on an empty stomach and it is quite unlikely to happen. We are all built differently from each other but there are benefits for everyone from drinking coffee in the mornings. Many people report that it makes them feel more energized and alert and improve their mood. Longer term positive effects include the lower risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, liver cancer and Parkinson’s disease. It can also help you burn fat by increasing the metabolism and contains essential nutrients to help you live a healthier life although like the bad symptoms everyone is different and can get different benefits depending on the person. so you need to decide if you’re going to take the good with the bad if it affecting you.

The negatives of drinking coffee

You may also find that you may get stressed or moody when you drink coffee but whether or not you drink it on an empty stomach there is no difference in the risk of this symptom. The coffee can cause a temporary boost in the stress hormone called cortisol which can cause bad moods, high blood sugars and higher blood pressure than usual. Although this is true studies have found that if you’re a regular coffee drinker you are less likely to experience these problems. If you aren’t a regular coffee consumer then you are more likely to experience a raise in your cortisol levels but it will be temporary and is unlikely to result in longer term health issues.

What happens when you drink too much coffee

The largest side effect of drinking coffee day to day is that the caffeine can be very addictive. The addictive nature of caffeine varies from person to person but those who do get addicted will want to drink more and more of it. This can lead to over consumption which can have its own problems. These problems include general anxiety, restlessness, heart palpitations, headaches or migraines and difficulties sleeping. Due to this, specialists advice that you stick to a limit of 400 milligrams a day which is around four to five average sized cups of coffee a day. As the coffee can affect your body for up to seven hours at a time it is recommended that you don’t drink anything with caffeine in it late in the day as it has a higher chance of interrupting your sleep. Despite these symptoms all coming from over excess of coffee there is also no link that drinking it on an empty stomach will change their severity or likeliness.

Alternatives to coffee

If you are worried about drinking coffee or just want to try something different there are some alternatives with their own benefits which I can recommend you. If you’d like a beverage that tastes similar to coffee without the caffeine you could try Chicory coffee. It is high in fiber inulin which can assist the digestive system and bolster a healthy gut. Alternatively, you could try lemon water for a different way to refreshingly start your mornings. It is also caffeine-free and provides ten percent of your regular daily intake of vitamin C. It is also a drink which you can add your own flavors to like cucumber, mint and watermelon. If you’re looking for something with caffeine but with more benefits than coffee you can try Yerba Mate which is a herbal tea. This beverage brings with it a healthy sampling of vitamins and minerals including vitamins C and E, iron, calcium and phosphorus to give all kinds of benefits to your body.

Conclusion

In conclusion there is no difference between drinking coffee on an empty stomach and when it’s a bit more satisfied. It differs from person to person but it is definitely a bad idea to over indulge in your caffeinated refreshment. Coffee will have the same effect on you no matter how you consume it. Just listen to what your body is telling you and adjust your daily routines accordingly. Like always, any health concerns with your daily life it is recommended to seek a doctor for advice and they’ll be happy to help. There are many other alternatives to coffee out there if it doesn’t fit into your lifestyle or health requirements all with alternative tastes. Stay happy and healthy by doing what is right by you.