Drinking coffee in the morning has become a routine for many people. However, be aware that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is not recommended by doctors. Coffee has become an early morning ritual for many people. Its bitter and full-bodied taste is appreciated and accompanies the breakfast of many people. It is even impossible for some to start their day without a good cup of hot coffee. However, be aware that drinking coffee without breakfast is not recommended at all, we will explain why a doctor warns against drinking it on an empty stomach.
Its amber black color, typical smell and full-bodied taste make coffee one of the most popular and consumed beverages in the world. Accompanied by a square of dark chocolate or a croissant, coffee has become a staple of breakfast. However, all good things should be subject to moderation, the consumption of coffee is no exception. Ysabelle Levasseur, nutritionist, explains to our colleagues in Ouest France why drinking coffee on an empty stomach can be detrimental to you.
Fasting coffee, a bad idea
Whether for lack of time or just want, it is not uncommon for some people to skip their first meal of the day. A cup of coffee is quick to prepare and consume and is essential for most people to deal with the morning slack. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach is therefore the ritual of many people. However, this habit can have unpleasant consequences for your health. We will explain which ones:
- Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can cause stomach upset. Indeed, the consumption of coffee has the effect of boosting the secretion of hydrochloric acid. This can cause bloating, heartburn and gastritis. And this “including with milk or even decaffeinated” adds the nutritionist.
- When consumed in large quantities, coffee can have disastrous consequences on your heart system. This study published in the scientific journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology makes the link between too much coffee consumption and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Ysabelle Levasseur nuances these results, however, by explaining that we only speak of high doses from more than 8 to 10 cups of coffee per day. The type of preparation is also a parameter to take into account, the coffee bean is not brewed for a long time for an espresso for example unlike a coffee prepared in a coffee maker.
- Besides the physiological consequences of consuming too much coffee, it could also have effects on our mental health. This Journal of Pharmacology study found that caffeine consumption may be associated with stress, anxiety and depression.
It is therefore preferable to drink coffee in the middle of the morning after a balanced breakfast.
Coffee in moderation, multiple benefits
There are people for whom it is impossible to spend a day without drinking coffee. And for good reason, this drink brings a lot of benefits if it is consumed in moderation: Notorious antioxidant, coffee fights free radicals present in our body and helps ipso facto to fight premature aging. In addition, if in large doses coffee is harmful to your cardiovascular health, be aware that it has, on the contrary, non-negligible benefits for the health of your heart if it is consumed in moderation. In fact, a study published in the scientific journal Circulation has shown that regular consumption of 3 cups of coffee a day would help prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease.
You just have to choose your favorite coffee beans. Be aware, however, that it is not recommended to accompany this drink with white sugar, since moderate consumption of coffee can easily lead to overconsumption of sugar, which, it should be remembered, is harmful to your health.