Morning mistake: 6 drinks you should never have on empty stomach

Black coffee

Since coffee contains chlorogenic acids, it is highly acidic and stimulates the stomach to produce even more acid. This can increase stomach motility, which may irritate the lining.

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can also lead to acid reflux, heartburn, anxiety, nervousness, tremors, and a rapid heartbeat.

PhD and nutritionist Jacqueline A. Vernarelli explained that for some people, coffee can help speed up bowel movements, while for others it may have the opposite effect, especially if they regularly consume large amounts of caffeine.

Adding a little milk to morning coffee can reduce its acidity and slow caffeine absorption. The best alternative is to drink water or eat a banana, yogurt, or a piece of toast before coffee.

Tea

Caffeine in tea can increase stomach acid production, which may cause nausea, acid reflux, and stomach cramps.

As with coffee, temperature is also a concern. Drinking tea that is too hot can irritate the esophagus and stomach lining. It’s recommended to let tea cool slightly and avoid strong brews made with prolonged steeping or tea bags with finely ground leaves.

Before drinking tea, try eating a high-fat or protein-rich snack, such as a hard-boiled egg, yogurt, oatmeal, or whole-grain bread.

Carbonated drinks
Carbonated drinks, like cola and sparkling water, get their fizz from carbon dioxide, which expands into gas in the stomach.

This gas continues to build and rise if there is no food to absorb it. As it rises, it brings stomach acid with it, which can contribute to reflux and heartburn.

To prevent reflux, it’s best to limit or avoid carbonated drinks until after a meal.

Citrus juice

Although citrus juice is a great source of vitamin C, it also contains a lot of citric acid and sugar. Its acidity can irritate the stomach lining, which can be problematic for people with ulcers.

In addition to being acidic, citrus juice is high in sugar, which can sharply increase blood sugar levels and trigger food cravings. Drinking it on an empty stomach can also cause cramps and nausea.

Energy drinks

These beverages often contain very high levels of caffeine and sugar, which can raise blood glucose levels.

They also typically include additives like taurine, guarana, and niacin, which may cause nausea if consumed on an empty stomach. It’s better to drink them with protein-rich snacks such as nuts, cheese, yogurt, or eggs. These can slow caffeine absorption and reduce digestive discomfort.

Alcohol

Alcohol is absorbed rapidly through the stomach lining. Without food in the stomach to slow absorption, blood alcohol levels can rise quickly.

This can lead to faster intoxication and a burning sensation in the stomach. Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining because it increases gastric acid secretion.

To avoid these effects, it’s recommended to eat a balanced meal first, including vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.

Earlier, we wrote about 5 sugar-free drinks that support stable blood sugar.