Can You Drink Coffee Without Eating?
Do you find yourself reaching for a cup of coffee to energize and get through the day? You may have heard that it’s bad to drink coffee on an empty stomach by people that enjoy making promises they can’t keep. But how does drinking coffee on an empty stomach actually affect your body?
The Effects Of Drinking Coffee On An Empty Stomach
On an average empty stomach, the human body starts to break down and digest food into energy from around 10 to 15 minutes after eating. However, the effects of caffeine could be felt as soon as six minutes after consumption, with this taking even less time if taken on an empty stomach.
As it takes longer for the body to fully break down food, the caffeine takes effect and can make you feel like you’re on a sugar high, thus leading to that notorious ‘crash’ an hour or so later. Caffeine is absorbed at around 20 percent slower when taken with food, making that ‘sugar high’ feeling much less noticable and allowing for a slower, more manageable release of energy.
Possible Benefits To Drinking Coffee On An Empty Stomach
A study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that drinking coffee on an empty stomach may actually have benefits. Drinking a moderate amount of coffee at breakfast time can increase alertness and reaction times due to the increased absorbtion of caffeine.
The study compared the successful reaction times in those who drank moderate amounts of coffee with food and those who drank it on an empty stomach. It found a slightly higher success rate in those who drank their coffee on an empty stomach.
Reducing The Risk Of Caffeine Overload
Whilst drinking coffee on an empty stomach may have some benefits, this cannot be said for those that consume large amounts of coffee on an empty stomach. Excessive caffeine consumption can cause coffee drinkers to experience a range of side-effects such as migraines and anxiety.
In order to enjoy coffee without experiencing the negatives, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet. As well as providing nutrients, food can help reduce the risks of caffeine overload from coffee.
The Negatives Of Drinking Coffee On An Empty Stomach
Whilst drinking coffee on an empty stomach can help provide more of an energy boost, there is still a negative side. Caffeine has been linked to increase the production of stomach acid. This could lead to negative symptoms for those with gastro-related illnesses such as GERD, stomach ulcers and IBS.
Research suggests that those who experience these symptoms following caffeine consumption should try drinking coffee after their meal, or snack on something that is neutral and non-acidic before drinking.
Cutting Back On Coffee
In order to maintain optimal health, the best advice is to limit your coffee intake regardless of whether you drink it on an empty stomach or not. Too much coffee can not only cause fatigue and restlessness but can also increase the chances of developing neurological conditions such as dementia.
For those looking for an alternative, there are numerous low-caffeine options such as decaf or even entirely caffeine-free alternatives. Additionally, it may be beneficial to invest in some form of natural specialty tea as a reach for something altogether different.
The Importance Of Caffeine-Free Options
In a world of inconvenient fast-food restaurants and long-distance commutes, it can be difficult to avoid coffee and its high levels of caffeine. For those that experience adverse side-effects from consuming caffeine – or simply wish to cut back – it’s important to find alternative sources of energy.
At the very least, having the option of a caffeine free or low-caffeine beverage gives you the opportunity to stay hydrated without having to reach for a high-caffeine coffee. This could make all the difference when cutting back on caffeine.
Easing Into A Caffeine-Free Diet
When training your body to eventually become caffeine-free, it’s important to start small. Throughout your elimination process, daily caffeine consumption should be reduced rather than cold turkey; and rest should be complemented with hydration.
A big part of integrating a caffeine-free diet is finding alternative sources of energy, such as avoiding sweets and carbohydrate-rich foods and instead opting for healthy proteins, fats and whole grains. This, along with eliminating caffeine, can make all the difference when reducing your tolerance and experiencing less adverse side-effects.
Controlled Consumption Of Coffee
Ultimately, the key to being able to enjoy coffee without suffering the side-effects is to control the intake. A good rule of thumb is to keep caffeine consumption to the equivalent of a maximum of two to three cups of coffee per day. Additionally, drinking coffee with food or a snack can help dilute the effects of the caffeine so that the body doesn’t get hit with a sudden spike.
The Effect Of Coffee On Other Illnesses
A large number of physical illnesses associated with poor digestion and gut health are made worse by the regular consumption of caffeine. These include gallbladder disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
For those who are affected by the aforementioned illnesses, it is advisable to keep consumption of caffeinated products to a minimum. Furthermore, those affected by conditions such as arthritis, menopause and acid reflux should also look to limit the consumption of caffeine as it may aggravate the symptoms of their condition.
Shifting Mindsets On Caffeine Intake
In full-time careers and on-the-go lifestyles, caffeine consumption and reliance is a huge factor in the way many of us approach each day. However, it is essential that we recognize the effects that this has on our bodies and that we try to limit our intake in order to maintain optimum health and wellbeing.
Limiting your daily caffeine intake to moderate amounts can help in avoiding all the many side-effects associated with an overdependency on caffeine. Combined with alternative sources of energy and non-caffeinated beverages, reducing caffeine intake could help us all to make healthier, more informed lifestyle choices.
