Whether it’s a good idea to drink coffee before eating has become a social media debate. Some posts claim it raises the stress hormone cortisol or harms the stomach lining, but gastroenterologists say coffee on an empty stomach is not generally harmful.
One viral claim says coffee can damage the lining that shields the stomach from acid. Another, shared by a medical professional on TikTok, warns that drinking it before food may cause cortisol to spike.
Cortisol is made by the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys. It helps the body respond to stress, and levels that are unusually high or low can affect health.
Dr. Asma Khapra, a gastroenterologist in Fairfax, Virginia, said research has not shown that drinking coffee on an empty stomach causes significant problems with cortisol, blood sugar or other aspects of metabolism. Cortisol also tends to reach its highest levels in the morning, so a rise at that time may be part of the body’s normal rhythm rather than a response to coffee.
Caffeine can relax the valve between the esophagus and stomach, allowing acid to move upward and potentially causing heartburn. Both regular and decaffeinated coffee can also prompt the stomach to release acid and gastrin, a hormone involved in digestion.
Those effects can happen whether or not someone has eaten. Without food, though, some people may notice nausea, a burning feeling in the abdomen or a need to use the bathroom, New Jersey gastroenterologist Dr. Douglas Weine said.
Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and can raise blood pressure and heart rate. For some people, that may contribute to anxiety, palpitations or trouble sleeping. Sensitivity varies from person to person.
The body does absorb caffeine more quickly when the stomach is empty, but that doesn’t cause unpleasant effects for everyone. Khapra said it’s generally fine to enjoy coffee before eating if it suits you, though large amounts of cream, milk, sugar or other add-ins may be a separate consideration.
