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Should you have coffee on an empty stomach? We answer

Should you have coffee on an empty stomach? We answer

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 26, 2023, 18:00 IST

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Neha Sharma changes her coffee habits

(Image source (L-R): Instagram/nehasharmaofficial and Getty Images)

Recently at the Bombay Times Fashion Week, 'Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum' actor Neha Sharma revealed that she had the "bad habit" of starting her day with a cup of coffee.

"I used to have a very bad habit of starting (my day) with coffee. I have recently started it (my day) with warm water and lemon which I think is a nice detox -- cleanses my skin and makes me look good, feel better. And then after an hour or so I do my coffee," Neha told Etimes Lifestyle.

What happens if you drink coffee on an empty stomach? Read on to find out.

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Heartburn

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can lead to heartburn. For the unversed, heartburn refers to burning pain or discomfort in the upper-chest and mid-chest. It can be caused by various factors.

Coffee sets off stomach acid production, which will reduce your stomach’s pH. This reduction level will not happen or happen to a lesser extent if you consume your coffee with milk or if you already have food in your stomach.

While a slightly lower pH is not a problem for the stomach lining, it could pose an issue for the lining of your esophagus which is more vulnerable to damage from acid.

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Coffee and cortisol levels

Drinking coffee immediately after waking up may do you more harm than good. As per research, your body’s production of cortisol is at one of its three daily peaks in the hour after you wake up. Cortisol helps in promoting alertness.

For the unversed, caffeine present in your coffee also elevates your cortisol levels. Now if you consume the caffeine-containing coffee at a time when your body is already at its peak cortisol-production, it will teach your body to produce less cortisol. It may also contribute to developing a tolerance for coffee, which means you will have to drink more and more amounts of caffeine (coffee) to reach that same level of alertness.

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Coffee and bowel movements

Research shows that drinking coffee along with a balanced diet helps stimulate the colon and promote bowel regularity.

However, you may experience an unwanted and too sudden urge to go, if you drink coffee on an empty stomach without any food in your belly.

Read more: Sexual health: Cranberries can reduce risk of UTI by 50%, study finds

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When should I drink my coffee?

Much like Neha Sharma's change in coffee habits, experts recommend consuming your coffee or tea at least an hour after you wake up. Instead of black coffee, prefer drinking it with milk so as to reduce the impact on your esophagus.

If you feel groggy right after waking up in the morning, make sure you are getting plenty of sleep. Dehydration may also be responsible for this feeling and drinking water after waking up may help to feel more energized.