Coffee on an Empty Stomach: Problem or Just a Persistent Myth?

There is no robust evidence to suggest that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is harmful for healthy adults. The medical literature consistently demonstrates that even moderate coffee consumption (typically 3-5 cups per day) is associated with neutral or beneficial effects on overall health, including reduced risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, regardless of timing relative to meals.

Concerns about gastrointestinal irritation, such as dyspepsia or increased gastric acid secretion, are sometimes raised anecdotally, but large-scale reviews and meta-analyses do not identify clinically significant harm from coffee consumption on an empty stomach in the general population.

Randomized studies examining appetite, gastric emptying, and plasma glucose after coffee intake in the morning found no significant adverse effects compared to placebo, decaffeinated coffee, or caffeine alone.

Now, it is important to note that individuals with specific gastrointestinal conditions (e.g., peptic ulcer disease and gastritis) may experience symptoms exacerbated by coffee, independent of whether it is consumed with or without food.

For most adults, coffee can be safely consumed on an empty stomach. In fact, historical practices among monks and mystics are consistent with current evidence showing no harm in this context. Monks were among the first to regularly drink coffee in the early morning or during the night, specifically to help them stay awake for long hours of prayer, vigils, and study. Sufi mystics in Yemen in the 15th century used the brew to maintain alertness during overnight religious ceremonies and meditative chants. Later, in Europe (around the 16th and 17th centuries), Catholic monks and nuns adopted the beverage for similar reasons, finding it a useful aid for adhering to rigorous monastic schedules of early morning devotions and work.

So there you have it. Enjoy your morning coffee with a clear conscience, but if your body pushes back, pay attention (that’s a good time to book an appointment).

Thought To Start Off The New Year

"A new year doesn’t change your life - your choices do. Health is the promise you keep to yourself each day. Let this year be less about fixing your body, and more about listening to it." - (Me)