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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Happens to Your Stomach When You Drink Coffee?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Coffee and caffeine are stimulants that don\u2019t just wake you up\u2013they also stimulate many gut functions. Some people find that coffee, especially first thing in the morning, leads to digestive upset. However, the effects are individual, depending on your tendency and diet. Now, let\u2019s discuss how coffee affects each of your gut functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stomach Acid Production<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Coffee stimulates the production of gastrin, a hormone produced in your stomach and small intestine.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gastrin then increases stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) in the stomach. Stomach acid is essential for digestion, sterilizing gut content, and many other digestive functions. However, without food, stimulating stomach acid like this could cause problems like discomfort, nausea, heartburn, burping, and gas<\/a>, especially for people with sensitive stomachs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A study of 40 healthy adults explored the effects of coffee intake on gastrin. Participants drank four different types of caffeinated coffee (hot and cold instant coffee, cold espresso, hot filtered coffee) each one week apart.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Researchers measured their salivary gastrin levels 15, 30, and 60 minutes after drinking. Gastrin levels increased for all types of coffee equally. They peaked at 15 minutes after consumption and returned back to pre-consumption levels after 60 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n What exactly causes gastrin production? Studies point to caffeine and coffee processing as possible factors. A study of healthy adults explored the relationship between coffee processing, caffeine content, and stomach acid production.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants consumed different types of coffee made from green coffee beans processed in various ways, including<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Researchers measured acid secretion and blood gastrin levels. The ground coffee with the highest caffeine content also caused the greatest amount of acid secretion and gastrin production.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n All caffeinated coffee, no matter the processing, caused more acid secretion and gastrin production than decaffeinated coffee. There was no notable difference in acid stimulation among instant coffees compared to ground coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Another study highlighted the bitter taste of caffeine as the potential reason why caffeinated coffee stimulates acid production more than decaf. Participants drank either water, a caffeine solution, or a caffeine solution with added homoeriodictyol to reduce the bitter taste.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n By testing the stomach’s acidity, researchers found that the more bitter the taste, the stronger the stomach’s acid response. They believe this is due to special sensors in the mouth and stomach that detect bitter tastes, called TAS2Rs, and help control stomach acid.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Drinking coffee can lead to lower LES (lower esophageal sphincter) pressure. LES is a muscle at the stomach’s entrance. When it’s weak, stomach acid can flow back into the throat, causing discomfort.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n A review of studies explored the effects of coffee, tea, decaf coffee, and caffeine on LES. Drinking caffeinated coffee led to<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants experienced similar symptoms when drinking tea, but not with decaf coffee and very rarely with other drinks with caffeine. These results suggest that something other than caffeine may be causing the lower LES pressure although researchers are not sure what.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just beyond the stomach, in the first part of the small intestine, is the duodenum. There, food from your stomach mixes with bile and other digestive juices for further digestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drinking coffee, both regular and decaf, makes the body produce more of a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK). CCK increases bile and gallbladder functions. It also opens a valve called the Oddi sphincter, letting bile and digestive juices into the small intestine.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n A study of six healthy coffee drinkers explored the relationship between coffee consumption, gallbladder contractions, and CCK concentrations. Participants drank either 165 mL or 400 mL of caffeinated coffee or 165 mL of decaf coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n After drinking 165 mL and 400 mL of regular and decaf coffee, participants experienced a significant increase in CCK levels and gallbladder contractions compared to those who drank a sodium chloride solution.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The increase in CCK stimulation and gallbladder contractions releases bile into the small intestine, which can help break down fats more efficiently and improve digestion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Past research suggested that those struggling with gallstones should avoid drinking coffee. More recent research suggests drinking coffee may reduce the risk of gallstone formation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A recent meta-analysis of several studies involving over 200,000 participants and over 11,000 cases of gallbladder stones investigated the link between coffee consumption and gallbladder stone risk. The analysis found that coffee intake was associated with a 17% lower risk of gallbladder stones in women, but not in men.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The analysis also showed that the risk of gallstones decreased with higher coffee consumption in the following way<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If gallstones are a concern for you, always consult your healthcare provider before making any dietary changes, including drinking coffee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now onto one of the most widely recognized effects of drinking coffee – its ability to make you poop<\/a>. While coffee doesn\u2019t seem to affect movement in the small intestine, it does affect movement in the colon in around 29% of people. For some, it can happen as quickly as in four minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n A review of studies found that regular coffee stimulates bowel movements 23% more than decaf and 60% more than water. While caffeine likely plays a role in this stimulation, researchers believe it\u2019s more likely to be due to increased CCK and gastrin secretion. Two studies noted the beneficial effects of coffee in relieving issues with occasional constipation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands located on top of each kidney. It\u2019s often referred to as the “stress hormone” because its levels increase in response to stress. Cortisol plays a crucial role in the body’s response to stress, metabolism, immune function, and regulation of blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caffeine also increases cortisol secretion. In the short term, cortisol makes you feel good with some energizing and anti-inflammatory effects. However, elevated cortisol for too long has some detrimental effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A study with 96 healthy adults investigated the effects of caffeine and stress on cortisol secretion. Participants consumed a placebo, 300 mg, or 600 mg of caffeine at home for five days. In the lab, they consumed a placebo or three doses of 250 mg caffeine before undergoing mental or physical stress followed by a midday meal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Researchers found that men and women start with the same cortisol levels, but stress and caffeine affect them differently. Here is what they found<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Repeated caffeine intake boosts cortisol all day, regardless of gender or stress. Increased cortisol levels increase blood pressure and blood sugar<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Caffeine is a stimulant that impacts the central nervous system. When you consume caffeinated coffee, it stimulates the central nervous system, triggering the release of adrenaline in the body. This can cause you to feel anxious or nervous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A meta-analysis of 14 studies and over 500 participants explored the relationship between caffeine intake and anxious feelings. Researchers determined that how much caffeine you drink makes a big difference in how anxious you may feel.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n The more caffeine you consume, the more at risk you are of feeling anxious. The effects are most pronounced when drinking 400 mg (about 4 cups of coffee) or more.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n One element contributing to anxious feelings is the natural increase in blood pressure that occurs with coffee consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coffee naturally increases your blood pressure and reduces your heart rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A study of 15 healthy coffee and non-coffee drinkers explored the cardiovascular effects of coffee drinking. Researchers continuously monitored heart rate and blood pressure before and after drinking either<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In non-coffee drinkers, coffee consumption led to significant increases in blood pressure, especially systolic blood pressure. Heart rate slightly decreased after consuming coffee in all participants. Additionally, the effects observed with decaf coffee imply that factors other than caffeine might contribute to the changes in blood pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your circadian rhythm is what helps regulate your sleep and wakefulness cycle. Drinking coffee too close to bedtime can disrupt it for some people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A study explored how drinking coffee in the evening affects the circadian rhythm compared to being in bright light, a known disrupter. Participants were placed into four groups<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants drank coffee containing approximately 200 mg of caffeine three hours before their usual bedtime, with light exposure starting concurrently three hours before bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When participants consumed coffee in dim lighting, it caused a 40-minute greater delay in circadian rhythm than the low light with no coffee. Bright light alone delayed the circadian rhythm by 85 minutes and by 105 minutes with added caffeine.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n To gain a deeper understanding of how caffeine affects the circadian rhythm, researchers observed cells exposed to caffeine. They found that caffeine blocks adenosine A1 receptors, which normally promote relaxation and sleepiness.<\/span> <\/p>\n\n\n\n By blocking these receptors, caffeine increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels inside cells, making you feel awake. This can disrupt the circadian rhythm if you take caffeine too late in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out other ways disrupted sleep can cause digestive problems in this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether it’s okay to drink coffee on an empty stomach ultimately depends on your personal preference and experience. Some people may tolerate coffee well without food, while others may experience digestive discomfort or heightened caffeine effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s important to listen to your body and adjust your coffee consumption based on how you feel. If you find that drinking coffee on an empty stomach causes discomfort read on for some tips to reduce acidity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people also have digestive issues later in the day, or even in bed, that may be related to coffee. You should always consult your physician for any medical concerns. However, if you suspect coffee could be the culprit, consider going off coffee for a few days or trying the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you enjoy your daily cup of jo, but find that it causes too much stomach acid, before dropping it entirely try out some of the strategies below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A study involving nine healthy participants compared the effects of dark roast and medium roast coffee on gastric acid secretion. Dark roast coffee causes less stomach acid compared to medium roast coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n While both roasts had the same caffeine content, their chemical makeup was different. In the dark roast, researchers found<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding salt during cooking is known for its ability to reduce bitter flavors,[R<\/a>12] and the same principle applies to coffee. Adding just a tiny pinch of salt can help diminish the bitter taste of caffeine, which is known to potentially trigger acid secretion as discussed earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Milk has the same bitterness-reducing effect; however, there has been some debate regarding whether or not adding milk reduces some of the nutritional benefits of coffee such as the bioavailability of antioxidant polyphenols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a study using a stomach model, researchers investigated how skimmed milk and whole milk affected the antioxidant content of coffee. They found that the processing method of coffee drinks, rather than the type of milk used, significantly influenced the bioavailability of antioxidants in coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a concern if you\u2019re someone who likes to go out and buy commercially prepared coffee drinks. Homogenization, thermal treatment, and pH adjustments of milk and coffee drinks decreased the antioxidant content more than the type of milk.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re preparing coffee at home keep in mind that whole milk is better at protecting coffee\u2019s antioxidant properties than skimmed milk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve likely heard of the trend of making Bulletproof or Butter coffee. It consists of adding MCT oils or butter to your coffee. Adding fat may help slow down the caffeine absorption. Many anecdotal reports are very positive. People report:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While there isn\u2019t a lot of research on this particular coffee blend, a review of six studies didn\u2019t find more benefits than regular coffee for energy, alertness, and cognition.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bulletproof coffee might not be the best choice for a sensitive stomach. Adding oils can cause gastrointestinal discomfort like nausea and abdominal pain.<\/span> For some people, a high dose of fat, especially MCT oil in combination with coffee, leads to an abrupt loose stool. One study\u2019s participants also stated that coffee with added fat seemed more acidic.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re interested in trying this variation of coffee, go slow. Add just a small amount of oil or butter to begin with and see how that goes before adding more. <\/p>\n\n\n Snacking on protein before drinking coffee can help by slowing down caffeine absorption. Protein takes longer to digest which can help delay the release of caffeine into your bloodstream, leading to a more gradual increase in alertness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, protein stabilizes blood sugar levels, preventing rapid spikes and crashes in energy. This sustained energy can offset fatigue as caffeine effects wear off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A review of studies compared various factors in caffeine content. Here is a table with some highlights<\/span>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bioptimizers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-670449758-min-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLowers Stomach Pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIncreases Bile Production<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bowel Movement Stimulation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOther Effects to Watch Out For When Drinking Coffee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Increased Cortisol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAnxious Feelings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Increased Blood Pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Disrupted Circadian Rhythm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is it Okay to Drink Coffee On An Empty Stomach?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWays to Reduce Stomach Acidity from Coffee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Choose a Dark Roast<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Add Salt or Milk<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Making it Bulletproof – Adding Fats<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nPair it with Some Protein<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Factors Influencing Caffeine Content<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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