Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Julia Musto

The 5 reasons why you shouldn’t have coffee on an empty stomach

  • Two-thirds of American adults consume coffee daily, with many experiencing digestive pain and heartburn if they drink it before breakfast.
  • Coffee's acidity can increase stomach acid production, leading to discomfort without food to absorb it, though eating with coffee can alleviate these symptoms.
  • Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can elevate cortisol levels, potentially increasing risks for weight gain, diabetes, and heart problems, and may also impair blood sugar control.
  • To counteract these effects, it is recommended to eat food with coffee, with certain foods like bananas or cereal with almond milk being particularly helpful.
  • Choosing darker roast coffees or alternatives like matcha, which are less acidic, can also reduce negative impacts, as can eating food to slow caffeine absorption.

IN FULL

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.