There's nothing better than a hot cup of coffee in the morning. Whether you take it with milk, sugar, black, or even with butter (seriously, it's a thing), there are a number of ways you can make your coffee even more delicious. But there's one thing you shouldn't be doing when you drink coffee — drinking it on an empty stomach. Here's why.
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It Can Wreak Havoc On Your Stomach
Your stomach produces acids that are responsible for breaking down food and aiding in digestion. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach immediately contributes more acid to your stomach. If you haven't eaten breakfast yet, your stomach is just waiting for food that it can process, but getting a cup of coffee instead means all of that acid can damage your digestive tract and increase your risk of getting stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and heartburn.
It Can Contribute To Nervousness And Loss Of Appetite
Another negative affect of drinking coffee on an empty stomach is that it all of that caffeine increases your cortisol levels (the dreaded stress hormone) and, without food to boost serotonin levels, you're left feeling way more jittery than you'd feel had to eaten a cup of oatmeal first.
Coffee also supresses your appetite. This may seem like a positive thing if you're trying to lose weight, but skipping breakfast (or any meal) is only going to slow your metabolism down and decrease your energy levels, making it harder to lose weight, obtain the nutrients you need, and stay healthy.
Bottom line: keep your cup of coffee, but be sure to add breakfast or a snack to your morning menu, as well.