Do you wake up in the morning to go to work, get out of bed and immediately go make coffee? Have you thought about whether it is good to drink on an empty stomach?

According to several studies, it is rare to cause a problem on an empty stomach if you drink coffee, but there is a chance that you will experience heartburn, stomach discomfort or rapid heartbeat.

But how can you avoid it? Food is the solution you are looking for! So before consuming your coffee in the morning, you can eat something first and then enjoy your drink.

Hypoglycemia

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can lead to hypoglycemia, says an article by theeverygirl.com. “At some point after drinking coffee, glucose levels usually drop and this can lead to lightheadedness or fatigue,” explain experts involved in the article. In other words, drinking coffee without food can cause a drop in blood sugar that can mimic feelings of increased anxiety, irritability, and fatigue.

Digestive disorders

For some people with a sensitive stomach or intestine, drinking coffee on an empty stomach can cause an urge to go to the bathroom. It can also irritate acid reflux, as coffee can stimulate the production of acid in the stomach. Without food, coffee interacts more directly and harsher with our stomach and digestive system. And while eating before coffee may alleviate these effects for some, others may continue to experience digestive effects regardless of when they drink coffee.

Decreased appetite

Coffee (especially on an empty stomach) is a known appetite suppressant. This can lead to overeating or impulsive emotional eating later in the day. We need our appetite to feed our body with food and nutrients during the day and to give us clues on how to properly feed our body with the energy it needs.

Symptoms related to hormones

Caffeine can contribute to hormonal imbalances and increased anxiety and insomnia. People with estrogen-related conditions, such as endometriosis, may be more sensitive to caffeine and its hormone disruption. Experts recommend avoiding caffeine on an empty stomach for an entire cycle to check how it affects our symptoms.

Less energy

While you may swear that you need coffee for energy (and you may actually feel the effects in the short term), it could negatively affect energy in the long run – especially without food. Caffeine doesn’t provide the fundamental building blocks for energy in the body, it just makes the body work harder with the energy stores it already has. Our bodies deserve nutrients in the morning, more than what coffee can provide. Eating a hearty breakfast with at least 30 grams of protein, fiber and fat is actually the best way to fuel your body throughout the day.

Who might be more sensitive to coffee on an empty stomach?

In general, people who are generally sensitive to caffeine are also more sensitive to coffee on an empty stomach. Some people are more susceptible to the negative effects of caffeine and it doesn’t matter if they eat before or not. Sometimes coffee can contribute to worsening anxiety and mood swings, digestive upset, fatigue, cravings, poor sleep, and worsening hormonal imbalances. For those who are sensitive to the effects of caffeine, it may be even more important to think about how to create a balanced routine with their coffee and a healthy relationship with caffeine.