Why You Should Think Twice Before Drinking Coffee On An Empty Stomach

The alarm goes. You hit snooze. The alarm goes again. You turn it off and slide right out of your warm covers and straight to the coffee maker. Does this scenario sound like the first minutes of your morning? If it does, it might be time to readjust your early a.m. routine.

We know this may be a bitter sip to swallow for many. According to MultiBriefs, there are 150 million coffee lovers in the United States alone who drink an average of 3 cups per day. Many of these java-loving enthusiasts choose to brew their first cup right after they wake up. But according to Eat This, Not That, drinking coffee on an empty stomach may be one of the worst things you can do for your stomach. Drinking that bitter acidic brew with no food in your stomach can accelerate the production of stomach acid, and cause damage to your stomach lining, plus some noticeable discomfort such as indigestion and heartburn.

You want a pep in your step, not the jitters

Healthline says that the side effects of drinking coffee with an empty stomach may be more noticeable to people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you notice you're having digestion issues or experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms after drinking coffee first thing, then try having breakfast before or while you enjoy your first cup of the morning.

In addition to an increase of acid in your stomach, Healthline states that some research has shown enjoying a cup of joe (or three) on an empty stomach can increase the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Though luckily, the increase is only temporary and hasn't been shown to have any long term effects on our health. Drinking coffee very first thing has also shown to give another temporary negative reaction to some. Yes, you want that pep in your step, but Eat This, Not That explains that you increase your risk for the jitters, shakes, and heart palpitations if you sip (or chug) your brew before breakfast.

We are absolutely lovers of coffee in the morning and don't want to scare you away from what many consider the best part of their forenoon. Though if you have noticed any uncomfortable symptoms or negative reactions to drinking coffee as soon as you wake up, then consider sliding out of bed and enjoying a little breakfast first.