It is common that prior to specific medical tests our healthcare professionals ask us to fast for at least 8 to 12 hours. Most people do not ask if it is okay to drink black coffee before a fasting blood work, thinking that if they do not digest it, they are still following the doctor’s orders. Unfortunately, many are unaware that some contents in black coffee may interfere with the accuracy of your blood work.
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages, however, people hardly consider its impact for some specific medical tests, such as blood work. Despite black coffee does not have calories, it does contain trace amounts of acids, minerals and small amounts of caffeine, making it a “no-no” food when refers to fasting blood tests. According to the study that Dr. Kimberly Gomerconducted, participants experienced a notable rise in triglycerides just after drinking black coffee during a 8-hours fasting.
Most medical health professionals do not allow any food and drink while fasting other than water before having a fasting blood work. This is because your sugar and insulin levels are affected by consuming certain foods and drinks, and these levels need to be tested accurately. The small traces of acids and caffeine in black coffee disturb the accurate measurements of sugar and cholesterol levels that doctors need to do while testing your blood.
So, if you are getting ready for a fasting blood work, it is best to switch to regular water. It is the perfect choice, with no sugar, proteins, or fat content that can interfere with the blood analysis. In addition, your hydration levels will be maintained. Consume 2 to 3 liters few days or hours before the blood work, depending on your doctor’s instructions.
The Deficiency of Water
In addition to the acidic and caffeine content of black coffee, it can also decrease your hydration levels if consumed in large amounts. Dr. Jeffrey Shiau, the founder of US Health & Lifestyle explains that on average, coffee reduces one-third of a liter of water. It can make the cells in our bodies shrink and result in a state of dehydration. When performing a fasting blood work, our body needs to be in this perfect status of hydration, so avoiding coffee before it is highly recommended.
Water is essential to each cell in our body, including muscle cells. Not only does it help to keep your physical healthy, but it also ensures that your organs functioning correctly. You should make a habit of during 6 to 8 glasses of water everyday. Drinking water also helps detoxify your body and provides needed oxygen to your organs which can increase your overall energy levels.
Risks of Failing to Comply with the Doctor’s Instructions
Failing to follow the doctor’s instructions when doing a fasting blood test can result in inadequate results. When this happens, the medical staff may have to reschedule you to retake the test and in some cases, your medical insurance company may not pay for it.
According to Dr. John Capano, the Medical Director at Northwell Urgent Care, it is important that when our healthcare professionals recommend a fasting blood test, we take it seriously and comply with their instructions. Not only does detailed analysis give an accurate diagnosis for the doctor, but it also helps us to have a better follow-up of our health.
Remember, the accurate diagnosis depends solely on our compliance with the instructions given by the healthcare specialist. From the moment you realize that you need a blood test, it is best to start eliminating certain foods and beverages from your daily routine in order to obtain a correct test result.
The Impact of Caffeine on our Health
Due to the acidic and caffeine content of black coffee, it makes it difficult to measure your sugar and cholesterol levels while testing your blood. The caffeine stimulates your sympathetic nervous system and endocrine glands, raising your alertness and heart rate. This, in combination with its diuretic effect and the increased levels of cortisol and adrenaline hormones can cause spikes in our blood sugar levels which can confuse fast blood tests.
According to Dr. Steven Spänzer, an oncologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital, what you eat or drink before a blood test can significantly affect the results. The best advice he can give to people who need to attend such tests is, not to drink coffee or alcohol and be sure to drink plenty of water, as this can help reduce the impact of caffeine in our blood.
The Benefits of Black Coffee
Although it is not recommended to drink black coffee before a fasting blood test, it does have some health benefits when consumed without sugar or cream. Studies conducted by the British Nutrition Foundation proved that black coffee is rich in antioxidants and minerals, such as magnesium and potassium which helps to protect our body from damage caused by free radicals.
Coffee also carries anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to its polyphenol compounds which acts protective against the inflammation caused by bacteria. Moreover, due to its caffein content, it has the ability to increase our metabolic rates and prevent us from developing metabolic disorders.
Dr. Jorge Resto, an obesity and metabolism specialist at Harvard, confirms that black coffee increases the production of natural sterols which prevents the liver to store glucose, making it a great choice if you want to increase your endurance during exercise.
Black Coffee and Sleep Patterns
Most people use black coffee or caffeine-based drinks to fight exhaustion, but this might not be a healthy choice. Although many think it can help them stay awake, research has found that caffeine can reduce deep sleep cycles and that drinking it can cause restlessness and disrupt our sleep patterns.
Effects of black coffee go beyond the body’s physical reactions. According to Dr. Santiago Resnikoff, a neurologist at the Big Pharma Institute, large amounts of caffeine can affect our emotional state. He believes that this can cause people to have emotional up and downs due to the cortisol hormones that are released when consuming caffeine.
Cups of Coffee to Avoid Health Issues
However, some people cannot be away from coffee. If you consider yourself one of these people, moderation is key. Depending on our weight, medical health professional Dr. Good Geril suggests having no more than 3 to 4 cups of coffee per day in order to prevent any potential health issues.
Remember to check your coffee’s content. If you do not want to eliminate it completely from your diet, ensure that you select decaffeinated coffee for your morning cup. Lastly, keep in mind that if you have a fasting blood test coming, it is best to avoid any caffeine-based beverage.
The Impact of Coffee to Our Body
Drinking black coffee during a fasting blood test can affect the accuracy of the results, however, its contents can cause more harm to our body in the long run. Overconsume of caffeine can cause stroke, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases, among other health issues. It can also make us develop an addiction if consumed on regular basis, as it affects the neurotransmitters of our brain and makes us dependent on coffee to feel energized.
Dr. Cuyler Albin from the World of Medicine explains that when black coffee is consumed on regular basis, beverage consumers tend to forget to eat proper meals, leading to a lack of proper nutrition. So it might be a good idea to replace some of those cups of coffee with a cup of tea, which carries several of the same effects such a keeping us energized, but it does not affect our blood levels.
Cutting Caffeine to Improve Health
Individuals trying to reduce the consumption of caffeine-based drinks should try to switch to other beverages such as tea, by gradually reducing the ideal amount of coffee needed each day. It is comforting to know there is an array of tea types to choose from that can be enjoyed just as any cup of coffee. In addition, tea has theanine acid, which is known to help to relax the nervous system and improve our sleep.
Dr. Harvette Chipshopkenver, a nutrition specialist at the New York Hospital, highly recommends green tea. It is high in antioxidants and its content of caffeine is much lower than any other beverage. Moreover, green tea increases our mental alertness and enhances our cognitive performance.
Furthermore, it has flavanols, which helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It can also stimulate the fat burning processes, making it one of the most powerful teas you can have to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The Role of Vitamins and Minerals
When avoiding consuming coffee before a fasting blood test, people tend to forget that it is still important to get okay to drink black coffee before a fasting in nutrients. Therefore, supplementing and eating foods that contain essential vitamins and minerals is always a good idea. Dr. David Powerslave confirms carbs, proteins, and fiber are essential macros that should always be part of our daily diet. So that when it comes to fasting medical tests, we are prepared to get accurate results.
Dr. Megan Kelly, nutritionist at Midtown Manhattan Vet Center recommends supplementing with Vitamin B12, A, C and D. These vitamins are essential for our body and need to be in a specific amount to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, she highly recommends to increase the consumption of minerals such as potassium and magnesium, which can be found in avocado, dark green vegetables, dark chocolate, and nuts.
Therefore, making sure to supplement your body with the necessary vitamins and minerals helps your entire body run smoother. This can be a great way to keep your body healthy, allowing your fasting blood test results to be accurate.
