Your alarm clock rings in the morning: what's the first thing you do?
Some people jump in the shower, some hit snooze and roll over, and others walk groggily to the coffee machine and wait for their cup of joe to be ready.
Many people can't even imagine starting the day without a big cup of coffee. And no matter how you take it — black, with cream and sugar, or with creamer and whipped cream — getting that rush of caffeine is essential.
Not only is coffee delicious, it can also be really good for you. Coffee has a ton of health benefits, including reducing constipation, protecting against liver disease, and increasing longevity.
Unfortunately, if you drink coffee on an empty stomach, it can actually have some negative consequences.
That's right, downing coffee first thing in the morning might give you a boost, but it can also make you feel sick. Read below to find out more about why you shouldn't drink coffee on an empty stomach.
[H/T: PopSugar]
Let's get straight to the point: coffee is delicious.
It's also an incredible substance that gives you energy and makes you more alert.
It also has a variety of health benefits.
Coffee can help reduce symptoms of Parkinson's disease, protect against type 2 diabetes and liver disease, reduce risk of heart attacks, ease constipation, lower rates of depression among women, and increase longevity.
So are there any negatives to coffee? Unfortunately, yes.
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can lead to intestinal discomfort and heightened anxiety symptoms.
According to a study published in a German medical journal, coffee — both caffeinated and decaffeinated — increases production of stomach acid.
Excess stomach acid can cause digestive system issues.
Too much stomach acid can worsen the symptoms of IBS, heartburn, and indigestion, and even damage the lining of the stomach.
If you drink coffee on an empty stomach, it can also worsen symptoms of anxiety.
Coffee is known to make people jittery from time to time, but it can heighten other anxiety symptoms like heart rate and irritability as well.
If you're thinking, "Hey, I always drink coffee on an empty stomach and I'm fine," then chances are that you are in fact fine.
Some people may not experience the same symptoms when drinking coffee on an empty stomach.
Not everyone will have worsened anxiety or digestive issues when drinking coffee without food.
If you do experience these symptoms, there are things you can do to ease them.
Instead of drinking coffee before anything else, try eating a little bit of food beforehand or drinking a large glass of water.
Want to know when the best time of day to drink coffee is? Check out this LittleThings article.
If you love coffee, please SHARE this article with your friends!
