Starting the day with a cup of coffee may seem like a must for many of us. After all, there’s no better alarm clock than the gurgle of a coffee maker and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air.
Unfortunately, though, drinking coffee first thing in the morning is not a healthy habit.
While coffee has been shown to have beneficial effects on our bodies, such as providing an energy boost and regulating metabolism, consuming it right after you wake up on an empty stomach can have negative consequences, both physically and mentally.
Let us explain why you should never drink coffee on an empty stomach.
The Effects on Health (Physical and Mental)
To begin with, ingesting caffeine on an empty stomach can put a strain on your digestive system.
Starting the day with even just an espresso can kick-start your stomach’s acid production — and if you haven’t eaten anything yet, the acid could harm your stomach lining and lead to indigestion. This applies to decaffeinated coffee as well.
But that’s not the only risk.
According to experts, drinking coffee on an empty stomach can cause nervousness, tremors, and other withdrawal effects, including mood swings.
It can also exacerbate anxiety symptoms and increase heart rate, irritability, and an inability to focus.
This happens because coffee stimulates the production of cortisol, the stress hormone. While some cortisol is important for regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, and metabolism, excessive amounts over extended periods can lead to hypertension, or unregulated blood sugar levels, which in turn can cause diabetes and loss of bone density.
What to Drink in the Morning Instead of Coffee
So, what should you drink in the morning, instead of coffee, to kick-start your day with the right energy?
First and foremost, experts recommend drinking at least two glasses of water. Drinking water on an empty stomach helps eliminate not only toxins but also fat deposits in the body. In fact, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, drinking water on an empty stomach can speed up your metabolism by about 24%.
Another solution is to drink fruit juices and smoothies, which help keep your body hydrated and provide digestive support.
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