It has become a common habit, especially among Brazilians, coffee consumption early in the morning. But you need to be careful, experts warn that drinking coffee on an empty stomach can be harmful to your health. The ideal is to drink the drink at least 30 to 40 minutes after waking up, always accompanied by a meal (bread, fruit, etc.).
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Harmful effects of drinking coffee first thing in the morning
Among the reasons to avoid drinking coffee when waking up are:
heartburn and reflux
Drinking coffee right after waking up can cause heartburn, gastro-oesophageal reflux and bloating, this is because coffee is a very acidic beverage that increases the amount of gastric acid already existing in the stomach. You can lower the acidity of your coffee by adding a little milk, avoiding the negative effects of drinking coffee after an overnight fast.
Acute insulin insensitivity
Insulin insensitivity occurs when this hormone has its action reduced and cannot transport glucose into cells. Consuming coffee immediately after an overnight fast causes acute insulin insensitivity, i.e. a sudden rise in blood glucose. Some of the symptoms commonly associated with insulin insensitivity are: weakness or fatigue, bloating and flatulence, constipation or diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, high blood pressure, among others.
Cortisol and stress
Upon awakening, our body produces high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. If you consume caffeine during this period, your cortisol levels will become even higher, which can be a danger for naturally anxious people. On the other hand, when cortisol levels drop in your bloodstream, you start to feel extremely tired.
The best time to consume coffee
Nutritionist Laura Cipullo advises drinking coffee when cortisol levels are lower, if you wake up between 6 and 8 am, you should consume coffee between 9 and 11 am. Remembering that its consumption should cease before the end of the afternoon, since the substance has a half-life of up to 6 hours and can disturb your sleep. However, more important than the time of day is the amount of coffee consumed, which should not exceed 4 cups per day.