FACT-CHECK: Coffee on an Empty Stomach, a Bad Idea?

Waking up on the cold wind breeze every morning, sipping a cup of coffee can help you feel warm and cozy.

The aromatic beverage is usually taken every by 64 percent of Americans from the age of 18 as mentioned by Reuters. Because of this, Reuters further that the 2018 survey demonstrates a strong U.S. market of caffeinated beverages.

It is indeed relaxing that drinking coffee in the morning relaxes you and makes you feel comfortable. Or maybe, you are undergoing a certain diet plan that makes coffee your staple morning drink. But did you know that drinking coffee with an empty stomach doesn't sound good?

ALSO READ: Benefits and Risks of Coffee You Must Know

Coffee and empty gut

(Photo : Kelly Barnes)
Harsh Mehta, owner of Coffylosophy cafe prepares coffees for customers after being in lockdown for 4 days on November 22, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. Lockdown restrictions across South Australia were lifted as of 12:01 on Sunday with stay at home orders now repealed. South Australian premier Steven Marshall lifted restrictions early after initially imposing a strict six-day lockdown on Thursday 19 November in response to a COVID-19 cluster outbreak in Adelaide. As of Sunday, eased restrictions are in place, including density limits of one person per four-square-metres, and 10 people at private home gatherings. Schools will also be allowed to open again, and funerals will be allowed to go ahead with a maximum of 50 people. Gyms can reopen and personal care providers will be allowed to operate with masks on.

You may be thinking why drinking coffee is a bad idea, the catch is, not all people get affected by drinking coffee on an empty belly. Huffington Post mentions other people reporting that increased gastrointestinal upset and jitteriness if they take coffee without having breakfast first.

Meanwhile, Healthline mentions a study that demonstrates the coffee's bitterness may trigger the production of stomach acids. Insider echoes the idea suggesting that drinking a cup of coffee on an empty stomach is harmful because there is no food present to prevent the acid from damaging the stomach acid.

Registered Dietitian Alissa Rumsay notes in an interview with Huffington Post that while the effect of coffee and the body's response is different from person to person, some people may be especially sensitive to caffeine, more so on an empty stomach.

Healthline adds that a small proportion of people are extremely sensitive to coffee and regularly experience vomiting, indigestion, and heartburn, they note that these symptoms may constantly happen whether they drink it with an empty stomach or with food.

The effect of coffee does not end on stomach acids. Huffington Post adds that coffee also increases contractions of the muscles located in the colon making some people poop. They also pointed out that coffee when taken by people with irritable Bowel Syndrome and those who are prone to diarrhea can make the symptoms worse.

I can't give up coffee, what should I do?

Registered Dietitian from the Good Housekeeping Institute, Stefani Sassos notes in an interview with Huffington Post that one method does not apply to everybody when it comes to nutrition. She adds that an individual knows his/her body than anyone else and tolerance of coffee, and any other foods are very individual.

But if you happen to find out that acid reflux and heartburn usually accompany your cup of coffee in the morning, registered dietitian Maya Feller says in the same article of Huffington Post that there are foods that can calm stomach acidity.

Feller emphasizes oatmeal, eggs, bananas, whole-grain toasts, and non-citrus fruits can help ease the acid in the stomach. She adds that added sugars and synthetic creamers are known stimulants of reflux and heartburn in some individuals.

You can consider yourself lucky if you can freely drink a cup of joe without any problem in the morning. For individuals who have it, listening to your own body will not hurt and harm you.

Check out more news and information on Diet Trends and Gut Health on MD News Daily.