Morning coffee habit: Why dietitians say it's time to rethink
It's a cold and gloomy morning, a short day, and evenings that come too early. In such conditions, it's easy to reach for a cup of coffee to quickly perk up. However, starting the day with coffee every day can have various long-term effects, and dietitians warn against this habit.
13 November 2024 10:12
For many people, coffee is an indispensable part of the morning. Although some talk about the romance of waking up with coffee, it has little to do with a romantic view of life. Many admit they can't function without a cup of aromatic coffee right after waking up.
Although available in many delicious forms, drinking it first thing in the morning might not be the best choice for your health. Dietitians raise alarms about its harmfulness, and they present research findings to confirm this thesis.
We know that nearly half of us will wake in the morning and, before doing anything else, drink coffee -- intuitively the more tired we feel, the stronger the coffee. This study is important and has far-reaching health implications as up until now we have had limited knowledge about what this is doing to our bodies – warns Professor James Betts, head of the Centre for Nutrition, Exercise, and Metabolism at the University of Bath in the UK.
Similarly, dietitian Loveneet Batra states that coffee increases cortisol levels, known as the stress hormone. This makes the body more alert, but at the same time, morning coffee causes an increase in blood sugar levels. People with issues such as diabetes should especially avoid drinking coffee first thing in the morning. Drinking this beverage increases the risk of ailments throughout the day.
Having gastric problems? Forget about morning coffee
The dietitian notes that morning coffee can also negatively affect digestion. Due to its acidic pH, it increases the production of stomach acid, which, combined with caffeine, can negatively impact the lining of the stomach and intestines. People with gastric issues, such as reflux, should forget about drinking coffee without a prior meal.
Batra also emphasizes that coffee on an empty stomach can affect the absorption of levothyroxine (synthetic thyroid hormone). This disrupts the conversion process of T4 and T3 hormones, which is dangerous for people with hormonal issues. However, that's not the only downside of drinking coffee early. Caffeine also contributes to oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
Coffee on an empty stomach is also not a good idea for people with high blood pressure. Quickly absorbed caffeine can lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure.
