Corporate people always spend their mornings in a rush. There’s hardly any time to sit down and have a proper breakfast. Many people just grab a cup of coffee and a biscuit before heading out. Some have breakfast after reaching the office, while others work on an empty stomach. But do you know how harmful this habit can be for your health?
First of all, skipping breakfast is never a good idea. Your first meal of the day should be rich in protein to keep you full and energised. On top of that, having coffee on an empty stomach can make things worse. Many people believe that without their morning coffee, they can’t wake up properly or have a bowel movement, but drinking coffee on an empty stomach can actually trigger other problems.
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It can harm your digestive system and cause acid reflux. Some think that hot black coffee helps relieve constipation by softening stools, but that’s a myth. In fact, having coffee on an empty stomach regularly can worsen constipation. Coffee heats up the body and disrupts normal bowel movement.
It can also lead to dehydration. Caffeine in coffee reduces the water content in your body, which may result in fatigue, weakness, and muscle cramps-whether it’s winter or summer.
While coffee can make you feel alert and energised in the morning, the effect is temporary. Drinking it on an empty stomach can actually increase stress and anxiety. This happens because cortisol levels, our body’s stress hormone, are already high right after waking up. Adding caffeine to that mix can heighten anxiety even more.
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Several studies have shown that having coffee on an empty stomach can increase the risk of diabetes. It reduces insulin sensitivity, causing higher blood sugar levels. Even if you drink sugar-free coffee, it’s still best to avoid it on an empty stomach.
Instead, start your day with lukewarm water. It helps clear your stomach and keeps you hydrated. Then, have your breakfast, and wait at least 30 minutes before drinking your first cup of coffee. Also, avoid having more than four cups of coffee a day- more than 400 mg of caffeine can cause health problems. Lastly, don’t drink coffee in the evening, as it can interfere with your sleep.
