Should You Drink Coffee On an Empty Stomach?

For most healthy adults, drinking coffee on an empty stomach is unlikely to cause harm. That said, because caffeine affects digestion, stomach acid and bowel activity, some people may notice discomfort when they drink coffee before eating. Whether it works for you depends largely on how sensitive your body is to caffeine.

Decades of research have explored the compounds in coffee—mainly caffeine and chlorogenic acid—to evaluate how they affect the body. A review of previous studies found that moderate coffee intake of about 3 to 5 cups per day posed no significant health risk for healthy individuals and may even offer benefits.

So what’s actually happening in the body when you drink coffee before eating? The way coffee interacts with your digestive system helps explain why some people feel fine having it on an empty stomach while others notice symptoms more quickly.

How Coffee Impacts Digestion

Before we get too far into the science, let’s remember that not all coffee is created equal. For instance, the type of coffee (instant, decaffeinated, caffeinated, half-caffeinated, etc.) as well as how someone takes their coffee (with milk, cream, sugar, etc.) will impact first and foremost how their coffee is digested.

Coffee and GERD

According to Sarah Koszyk, M.A., RDN, a registered dietitian and co-founder of MIJA, a superfood wellness company, “Many people love their cup of joe first thing in the morning, right when they wake up, to get that caffeine fix.” This increase in stomach acid may be more noticeable when coffee is consumed on an empty stomach, especially in people prone to GERD or heartburn. While she notes that this is unlikely to cause harm or damage to the stomach based on the available body of research, it does warrant consideration for the additional stomach acid produced and for those who are prone to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and symptoms of heartburn.

One review was inconclusive as to whether coffee is the real culprit for those who experience GERD after consumption or whether other lifestyle factors, like obesity and other chronic health conditions, may also play a role. However, another study looked at data from the Nurses Health Study II noted that intake of coffee, tea and soda was associated with an increase in GERD symptoms among participants.

Since research is mixed, what’s most important is to pay attention and note how your body responds to coffee on an empty stomach. If you notice heartburn and/or other GERD symptoms after a cup, then modify your coffee habits with our tips below to hopefully help reduce your symptoms.

Coffee and Bowel Movements

Research shows that coffee helps stimulate the colon and promote bowel regularity (in conjunction with a balanced diet.) While there’s nothing wrong with relying on your morning cup to help get things moving, Koszyk suggests paying attention to how quickly that “urge to go” kicks in when coffee is consumed on an empty stomach. For some people, drinking coffee without food may intensify this response. “Without any food in the belly, that need might be quickened,” she says.

Caffeine on an Empty Stomach

Drinking coffee before eating isn’t harmful for most people, but some may notice stronger side effects when caffeine hits an empty stomach. These can include feeling jittery, anxious, irritable or overly stimulated. People who consume large amounts of coffee daily may also notice a temporary rise in heart rate or a fluttering sensation in the chest that can last longer than usual after physical activity.

If these effects sound familiar, having coffee with food may help soften the intensity. Eating before or alongside your coffee can slow how quickly caffeine’s effects are felt and make the experience more comfortable for those who are sensitive to it.

Tips for Caffeine-Sensitive Individuals

If you find yourself sensitive to black coffee on its own, you’re not alone. Take Koszyk’s advice and consider adding milk to your coffee, which can create a buffer and reduce the potential risk of heartburn.

• Make it a latte (1 cup of milk provides 8 grams of protein to help with digestion of the caffeine)
• Add a creamer (be sure to check the label and try to choose a product that is free of added sugars)

She also suggests drinking coffee with breakfast to decrease the absorption rate, which can temper some of coffee’s potential side effects. Some dietitian-approved favorites include:

• A slice of whole-grain toast, nut butter and fruit
• A cup of oatmeal prepared with milk, chia seeds and berries
• A yogurt parfait with granola and fresh fruit

Our Expert Take

For healthy individuals, drinking coffee on an empty stomach is unlikely to cause harm. However, if you’re sensitive to caffeine or prone to heartburn, pairing your coffee with food may help reduce digestive discomfort. You know your body best—use that feedback to decide what works for you.