Experts Explain the Potential Consequences of Drinking Coffee on an Empty Stomach

For many, starting the day with a cup of coffee is almost ritualistic. But certain alarmistic voices on social media, particularly on TikTok, warn about potential gastrointestinal implications of consuming coffee or any caffeinated drink before breakfast. However, a number of individuals testify to how necessary the morning coffee is for their daily routine.

According to experts, the way coffee impacts an individual highly depends on their physiology. Some might experience indigestion or minor discomforts due to a heightened sensitivity to coffee, but consuming it prior to breakfast is generally not harmful, says Bonnie Jortberg, a nutritional scientist and associate professor of family medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Jortberg also added, during an interview with Health, that aside from possibly triggering a mild increase in stomach acidity, most people would face no issues from consuming coffee on an empty stomach. She mentioned that while some might experience discomfort, there is no evidence to suggest that drinking coffee before breakfast leads to gastrointestinal issues for the general population.

To ensure a healthier coffee-drinking habit, experts provide insights on coffee's effects on the body and tips to follow.

The effects of coffee, specifically its caffeine content, varies from person to person. For some individuals, caffeine might cause acid reflux or indigestion due to it possibly relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter that connects the esophagus and stomach, says Harmony Allison, an assistant professor of gastroenterology at Tufts Medical Center.

Caffeine might weaken the barrier between the esophagus and stomach, and consuming coffee could also stimulate the production of stomach acid, says Jortberg. This combination might result in acid reflux or heartburn. However, these symptoms might occur regardless of whether the coffee is consumed with or without food, says Allison.

The acidity of coffee could potentially increase the stomach's acidity, particularly in people with esophagitis. However, the issue can be mitigated by just consuming some food before having coffee, explains Allison.

Coffee can also have some other effects on the body like stimulating bowel movement and causing an urge for frequent urination.

For some, coffee might cause jitteriness when consumed on an empty stomach.

A 2014 meta-analysis revealed that there is no significant association between coffee consumption and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition marked by chronic acid reflux. And to dispel the myths surrounding coffee, experts agree that it doesn't cause stomach ulcers or pose any harm to the gastrointestinal system. According to Jortberg, the belief that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is bad for health is, for the most part, just a myth.

If coffee consumption without food causes acid reflux or stomach aches, eating beforehand is advisable. For the early birds who have to forgo breakfast for their morning coffee, small alterations may help to avoid any negative side effects.

Adding milk or creamer to coffee can help to reduce its acidity. However, for those who are lactose intolerant, using plant-based milk options is important to avoid aggravating any related stomach issues. The type of coffee that a person chooses can also contribute to their experience.

“There is a study that was done and it actually looks like your dark roasted coffees actually have less of an effect on stimulating stomach acid than your light roasted coffees,” Jortberg explained. “If you think that you’re somebody who’s sensitive to this, you may want to stick with dark roast.”

If someone is experiencing jitters, acid reflux, or other issues that could be attributed to caffeine, they could also try scaling back the amount of coffee they drink or choosing decaf, Allison added.

In general, drinking coffee on an empty stomach shouldn’t cause any issues. So if, after making adjustments, a person is still having gastrointestinal discomfort, it may be best to simply avoid coffee altogether, said Jortberg and Allison.

“Everybody has individual differences,” said Jortberg. “If you’re somebody who really notices that you really get that acidic feeling in your stomach, then you might be somebody who, for whatever reason, is hypersensitive.”

And though drinking coffee on an empty stomach is healthy for most people, it’s important to always drink coffee safely—that means consuming no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine daily.

“[Caffeine] is what keeps you vigilant, that’s what wakes you up,” said Allison. “[Be] careful that you don’t drink too much of it, because if you’re drinking more, that can be unsafe.”