Is it okay to drink coffee on an empty stomach in the morning?
When you drink coffee on an empty stomach, the caffeine gets absorbed more quickly and may reach higher levels in the bloodstream. So, it might pack more of a punch. But there’s no evidence that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is bad for you. Waiting about 90 minutes after waking allows your cortisol and adenosine rhythms to settle, helping caffeine work more effectively. Start your morning with hydration, natural light, and light movement to activate your system. Then enjoy your coffee when it will actually help.Quick answer: The 2 hour coffee rule suggests waiting at least two hours after waking up before drinking your first cup of coffee. This guideline aligns with the body’s cortisol levels, aiming to optimize both the effects of caffeine and the body’s natural wakefulness cycle.First, drinking coffee with caffeine early in the day as opposed to in the afternoon or evening is less likely to alter a person’s sleep patterns, which supports their overall and cardiovascular health.Coffee, thanks to its caffeine content, stimulates the production of cortisol—also known as the stress hormone. Normally, cortisol levels are at their highest in the morning when we wake up, but drinking coffee on an empty stomach can further increase them, potentially causing an overload of stress on the body.
Is it bad to drink coffee when you first wake up?
Although it helps wake us up, I often recommend waiting to have your first cup of coffee until about an hour or two after waking up, says Gatlin. This allows your body to use its own resources for energy first. Gatlin instead recommends starting the day with a tall glass of water and a balanced breakfast or snack. Timing it for later in the morning could help extend its effects into the early afternoon, potentially countering any drop in alertness at that time. That said, there’s no harm in having caffeine first thing, Dr. Grandner said.The caffeine in coffee affects your levels of adenosine and melatonin, two key players in making you sleepy. Because of this, drinking coffee late at night likely isn’t a good idea. In fact, it may be beneficial to try to avoid consuming caffeine within 6 hours of bedtime.There’s no scientific evidence that supports a “best time. But a mid- to late-morning cup between 9:30 a. That’s when cortisol levels start to dip, and you’ll get the biggest bang from the effect of caffeine.This delay allows cortisol to do its job without interference. Then, as your natural alertness tapers off, caffeine kicks in — giving you a genuine boost rather than a redundant jolt. For most people who wake between 6:30 and 7:30 AM, the best coffee window lands between 8:00 and 9:00 AM.Because adenosine levels in your brain decrease while you sleep, they are at their lowest immediately after you wake up, Dr Grandner said. So, with little adenosine present for caffeine to block, a cup of coffee first thing will give you less of a boost than when adenosine levels are high.
Why wait 90 minutes to drink coffee in the morning?
Waiting 90 minutes after waking up allows adenosine levels to rise slightly, making caffeine more effective at blocking receptors and keeping us alert throughout the day. Caffeine blocks a receptor in the brain. It takes up space where hormones that help us fall asleep need to be, a science lecturer explains. During the first 90 minutes after waking up, Pete Upton recommends avoiding caffeine. Water is a better option as your first drink in the morning, he says.Because adenosine levels in your brain decrease while you sleep, they are at their lowest immediately after you wake up, Dr Grandner said. So, with little adenosine present for caffeine to block, a cup of coffee first thing will give you less of a boost than when adenosine levels are high.Research also shows that the changes in adenosine receptor levels typically reverse after a seven-day caffeine break. Think of it as a caffeine reset: By reducing your tolerance, you’ll increase the boost you will feel when you start drinking coffee again. One way is to take a week off from coffee every month.The Science Behind Caffeine and Cortisol Your cortisol levels naturally peak about 30-45 minutes after you wake up. Drinking coffee right away can interfere with this natural process, leading to a less effective wake-up call. Dr. Brooks explains, “Cortisol is released when the body needs energy.In most cases, half of the caffeine is cleared in 4 to 6 hours. View Source , but in any specific situation the half-life can range from 2 to 12 hours. Because caffeine can persist in a person’s system, consuming it too late in the day can make it more difficult to sleep well at night.
What’s the best time to drink morning coffee?
Despite natural variability, experts say that the window of 9:30 a. Cleveland Clinic. Still, there are a few key considerations about the best time to consume coffee. The experts recommend drinking coffee at least one hour waking up, if possible. If you drink coffee right after getting up, you’re stacking caffeine on top of already high cortisol, which can increase jitteriness and reduce caffeine’s perceived effect, says Dasgupta.Spikes Cortisol (Stress Hormone) – Drinking coffee first thing in the morning raises cortisol levels, increasing stress and affecting metabolism. Can Lead to Stomach Lining Damage – Over time, excessive acid production can harm the stomach lining, leading to gastritis or ulcers.Drinking coffee may be linked to a lower risk of: Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease among some groups of people. Metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease. Liver cancer and liver disease, including cirrhosis.Green tea also surpasses the antioxidant content of coffee, which is usually roasted. Some studies show that green tea has a positive effect on the heart. Evidence suggests that regular consumption could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, as the antioxidants present can reduce inflammation.
Is it unhealthy to drink coffee every morning?
People who drink coffee in the morning have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a lower overall mortality risk compared to all-day coffee drinkers, according to research published in the European Heart Journal today. Risk of Gastro-Esophageal Pathology. The action of coffee on stomach acid secretion has raised the issue of a possible increase in dyspepsia (poor digestion, discomfort, nausea, heartburns, eructation, and flatulence), or esophageal burns, gastritis or ulcers, and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).Coffee before breakfast can be a comforting ritual for many, but experts say it could raise cortisol levels or cause digestive issues. Chronically elevated cortisol levels can increase appetite and slow metabolism, which may lead to weight gain.When consumed on an empty stomach, it can cause abdominal cramping, bloating, and bowel problems—especially in those with a sensitive gut or who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can accelerate intestinal transit, causing discomfort and digestive upset.There is also some evidence that drinking coffee can reduce your risk of liver damage like scarring and cirrhosis. Beneficial effects have been found for filter, espresso, and instant coffee. But drinking coffee cannot always prevent liver disease.
What are the disadvantages of coffee first thing in the morning?
Spikes Cortisol (Stress Hormone) – Drinking coffee first thing in the morning raises cortisol levels, increasing stress and affecting metabolism. Can Lead to Stomach Lining Damage – Over time, excessive acid production can harm the stomach lining, leading to gastritis or ulcers. Coffee has some risks, mostly due to caffeine. Taking in too much caffeine can cause anxiety, headache or faster heart rate. Caffeinated coffee can increase heartburn symptoms, also called reflux symptoms. Urinary symptoms including frequency and urgency may increase from caffeine.Your liver will thank you. Both regular and decaf coffee seem to have a protective effect on your liver. Research shows that coffee drinkers are more likely to have liver enzyme levels within a healthy range than people who don’t drink coffee.For most people, it’s OK to drink coffee daily and it may have benefits. But if you have side effects from caffeinated coffee, slowly cut down on how much you drink to avoid withdrawal symptoms.Coffee is a much-loved drink enjoyed by millions of people, but beyond the rich flavor and energizing effect, it also helps in detoxification when consumed correctly. Detoxification with coffee works in that it promotes liver function, which removes toxins from the body.There is good evidence that drinking coffee can reduce your risk of a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There is also some evidence that drinking coffee can reduce your risk of liver damage like scarring and cirrhosis.