Coffee is a lifter and one of the most popular drinks worldwide; it almost comes second after water in most countries. It helps us function and gets on with our lives easier. This drink has many advantages and disadvantages like any other drink for the human body. So, there is a frequently asked question among coffee lovers:
does drinking coffee before eating breakfast or on an empty stomach during the day harm?
So, because of that, this issue is essential to know by coffee lovers; in this article, we will discuss:
- What is coffee?
- Effects of coffee on your empty stomach.
- How does acid in the coffee act with your body?
- Is drinking coffee cause stress on an empty stomach?
- The bottom line
So, let’s dive in and see how coffee impacts your body and life.
It is preferable to have a brief look at what coffee is before proceeding with the rest of the process.
Let’s get to know the coffee better.
Contents
What is coffee?
Coffee is the name of a plant, not a beverage. Everything adores ingesting a mystical black substance that is created to produce it. The seeds are removed from the brown berries that grow on the plant and then brought to a roasting station, which is in charge of roasting the beans to the amount the client has asked. Several varieties and races of coffee are available, including Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. Coffee has been around since the 15th century and has undergone significant evolution since then.
The most crucial distinction between these races is how they are employed and how acidic they are. This implies that they have distinct tastes and varying amounts of acidity. The most significant function of coffee is to provide energy, which is connected to the chemical composition of the bean. Coffee includes caffeine, but the amount of caffeine you take depends entirely on the sort of coffee you drink. Tansin, protein and essential oils are also included in this beverage.
So far, we’ve learned a basic description of coffee and discovered that the acidity of this substance varies depending on the kind of coffee consumed.
Because this acidic beverage may have negative consequences on the body, particularly the stomach, we encourage you to join us so that you do not miss any of the crucial points in this respect.
Effects of coffee on an empty stomach
Now, caffeine is an energy simulator that empowers the central nerve system (CNS) and muscles, giving you energy and keeping you from getting tired. It also gives you mental alertness. So, as we said, this empowering substance is acidic too. Ok, let’s talk about acid and what it can do when you consume it with an empty stomach: We said that coffee is an acidic substance, but it doesn’t mean that it is terrible. The PH number on most coffee brands is 5, but it can be different.
If we go forward and compare the acidity of the coffee to something that has the same number of PH, meaning acidic, we can say “banana.”
Yes, banana has the same acidity as coffee; this concludes that while coffee is an acidic drink, it is not necessarily bad.
While coffee is beneficial to you, it can also be harmful; for example, we said that energy level raises after consuming coffee. This leads to increased heart pulse, increasing your blood pressure. Hypertension happens or affects anyone, but it’s more common in pregnant women; according to CDC, there is an increase in the number of women suffering from hypertension. High blood pressure is the most common reason why this happens.
And this effect can grow if you drink your coffee before eating anything else. Indeed, drinking coffee on an empty stomach is a mistake many people have committed.
When you drink a cup of coffee, regardless of the kind, it can cause hydrochloric acid that, when combined with the acid that already exists in your stomach, can be dreadful.
People that have gastritis already know how painful that is.
This article can be useful: What is the acidity of coffee? How to reduce the acidity of coffee?
How does acid in the coffee act with your body?
Acid usually acts as a “violation” of digesting the food. Consider you ate a heavy meal. If the acid balance is not correctly leveled in your stomach, it can cause digestive issues since it would lead to difficulty digesting the proteins. If your body fails to decompose the proteins the way it should, it can lead to inflammation of the bowel, bloating, irritation, and even cancer.
Specialists warn us about drinking coffee first thing in the morning for these specific reasons. Another reason is that coffee causes a significant increase in cortisol levels in our body. This hormone is related to our biological clock and the ability to stay awake.
Also, high caffeine levels, especially if you are on an empty stomach, can cause insomnia, nausea, and restlessness.
Moreover, increased acid levels caused by coffee consumption first thing in the morning can also cause vomiting and bloating.
But, if you are one of those people that can’t start the day without a cup of coffee, don’t worry. Some solutions can’t drop the side effects of the coffee to almost zero percent.
You can balance and cancel out the acidity in the coffee by adding some milk or butter to your coffee. This way, you can consume almost 4 cups of coffee every day and not worry about any side effects or regrets.
Also, some places extract the caffeine from the coffee and then offer it to you. These kinds of coffee are called “decaf,” meaning it contains no caffeine at all.
Is drinking coffee cause stress on an empty stomach?
The answer is maybe!
Let’s put it this way cortisol levels peak when you first wake up; they decrease over the day and then hit the peak in the early stages of sleep.
Now, consider this coffee increases cortisol levels of cortisol. When you drink coffee first thing in the morning with an empty stomach, it adds up to the cortisol levels already at the peak, which could be dangerous.
However, studies show that people that drink coffee regularly are less likely to get affected by this logic because the dosage of cortisol levels will be balanced over time. The body will adjust itself to new changes, but it is essential to say that this could be different in every single person.
So, in conclusion, coffee may cause a temporary increase in stress hormones, but it’s unlikely to cause any severe health danger.
The Bottom Line
Many people enjoy their coffee when they first wake up right before eating and with an empty stomach.
Despite persistent myths, when we refer to a scientific corner, the consumption of coffee first thing in the morning can be harmful to you and your inner organs.
Instead, it will have the same effect on your body no matter how you consume it.
Nevertheless, if you experience digestive issues caused by drinking coffee with an empty stomach, try having it with food or mixing your coffee with milk or some butter; if you see any improvements, it’s best to adjust your routine according to your new lifestyle and discoveries.
If you found this article helpful, we hope you can utilize the knowledge provided to drink your coffee safely and in good health in the future.
