Do you love starting your day with a cup of coffee? Well, you may want to rethink that habit, especially if you’re in the 45-65 age range. While coffee has its benefits, drinking it on an empty stomach can have some not-so-great effects on your body. Let’s take a closer look.
1. You may feel sleepier.
You might think that coffee is the perfect way to wake up in the morning, but drinking it as soon as you roll out of bed can actually make you feel sleepier instead. When you consume caffeine on an empty stomach, it doubles the levels of stress hormones in your body, which can lead to sleep problems and tiredness. If you add sugar to your coffee, it can also cause your blood glucose levels to drop, leaving you feeling low on energy and anxious.
2. Your body may lose essential minerals more quickly.
Drinking coffee early in the morning can interfere with the absorption of important vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, and B vitamins. These nutrients are crucial for a healthy nervous system. Additionally, excessive caffeine intake can leach calcium from your bones, making them weak and brittle.
3. It may upset your stomach.
While coffee can give you the boost you need to start your day, it can also lead to an increased need to use the bathroom. Coffee stimulates the nervous system, which can affect the colon and potentially cause diarrhea. If you add milk or cream to your coffee, it may exacerbate stomach discomfort, especially if you have difficulty digesting lactose.
4. It may lead to weight gain.
Although black coffee has been associated with fat burning, consuming it on an empty stomach can disrupt your healthy sleep patterns. When you don’t get enough sleep, you tend to feel hungrier and crave sugary snacks. Many coffee beverages, particularly those that are sweetened, are packed with sugar and calories, which can contribute to weight gain.
5. It can worsen anxiety.
Do you wake up in the morning feeling stressed? If so, drinking coffee might not be the best idea. As a stimulant, caffeine can increase anxiety levels, triggering jitters and even anxiety attacks in some individuals.
6. It can dry out your skin.
Coffee acts as a diuretic, meaning it can dehydrate your body and lead to increased urination. When you become dehydrated, it becomes harder for toxins to exit your body through your skin. This can result in dry skin and make it more prone to issues like premature wrinkles.
7. It may raise your blood sugar level.
Your morning cup of coffee can make it difficult for your cells to regulate blood sugar properly. This can increase your risk of various diseases and even contribute to weight gain. High blood sugar levels can also raise your risk of skin infections.
Instead of reaching for coffee first thing in the morning, consider waiting until mid- to late-morning, between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., to enjoy your cup of joe. This way, you can minimize the potential negative effects on your body and still get the energy boost you need. So, when do you usually drink your first cup of coffee? Have you noticed any of these side effects?
Comments
“My mother is a coffee addict, she literally can’t start her day without a cup of coffee..”
