A doctor has warned people against drinking coffee on an empty stomach as not only could it cause stomach issues, but it can also “increase the risk of chronic diseases”. Despite people in the UK consuming around 95 million cups of coffee every day, many people’s routines consist of them grabbing a cup of coffee without having eaten any breakfast first.
As reported by marca.com, Dr Alexandre Olmos, is now warning coffee drinkers about the possible negative effects of doing this, as although it may seem harmless, this practice could have significant repercussions on our health.
Why should I avoid coffee on an empty stomach?
Doctor Olmos says drinking coffee on an empty stomach could activate genes related to inflammation and digestive issues. The expert explains that the beverage is naturally acidic and because of this, if you don’t consuming it without food, it can alter your stomach’s pH. When this happens, it can lead to an increase in gastric acid production and you will experience heartburn and digestive discomfort. Overtime, if done often, it can cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract which impacts our gut microbiome – something key to our overall health.
Not only can it cause digestive problems such as gastritis or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) thanks to inflammation of the tract, but it can increase the risk of chronic diseases which is linked to various health conditions, including heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.
In his Instagram video, the doctor explains that while the “video will not go down well with coffee lovers”, it’s likely you’ve not been told the effects of coffee on an empty stomach. In his translated video, the health guru says: “Many take advantage of coffee to make intermittent fasting easier, but drinking coffee on an empty stomach can cause your body to react in ways you might not expect.
“It alters the pH of your stomach, increases acid production and, over time, this can lead to heartburn, inflammation and even affect your gut microbiome. But epigenetics goes further: this practice can activate genes related to inflammation and digestive problems, which can have much more serious consequences on your long-term health. Activating these genes affects tissues, weakens the immune system and increases the risk of chronic diseases.”