Coffee is one of the most beloved morning habits and one of the most consumed drinks in the world – for some even before water or breakfast, or even instead. But what happens in your body when you drink coffee on an empty stomach? An endocrinologist has gone viral with his surprising explanation.
A trivial gesture can cancel the negative effects of coffee consumed on empty stomach photo shutterstock
Dr. Francisco óscar Rosero Olarte, a Colombian doctor with a strong presence in social media, is known for his firm and atypical positions – often critical of the traditional medical system. In a recent video, Rosero draws attention to a frequent mistake: consuming coffee in the morning before anything else (See video).
The doctor explains why this habit, seemingly harmless, can affect the body's balance, and why we should drink at least one glass of water before. No coffee is the problem, but the moment and context in which we consume it.
Rosero promotes the lifestyle as a first treatment, chrononutrition and self-resorting of the patient-all in a direct, sometimes polarizing style, which makes him loved by the public, but controversial among the scientific community.
What exactly says about coffee on an empty stomach – and how hard is this seemingly trivial mistake?
“Always drink a glass of water before coffee.” Why is it good to do this
Dr. Francisco óscar Rosero Olarte begins its intervention with a clear warning: the consumption of coffee on an empty stomach should not become a routine – and the good news is that this mistake is easily corrected.
“Don't drink coffee on an empty stomach. Note: Always drink a glass of water before coffee. Why is it important? Because you slept for more than eight hours without consuming anything. The body wakes up dehydrated ”explains the Colombian doctor.
According to him, after sleep hours, our body first needs hydration, not stimulation. Coffee, consumed immediately after waking up, can amplify dehydration, instead of energizing us.
Water, on the other hand, is the ideal ally: it supports the functioning of the digestive system, stimulates brain activity and helps the body to wake up naturally and healthy.
Unexpected effects of coffee consumption on an empty stomach on the body
On the other hand, even if Rosero does not mention this in its intervention, there is scientific evidence that it shows that coffee ingestion can stimulate cortisol secretion in the morning. Cortisol is a naturally released hormone during this time of day, as part of the circadian rhythm. However, in some people, the consumption of coffee on an empty stomach can amplify this natural cortisol tip, which can lead to nervousness or even tachycardia.
In addition, the consumption of a glass of water before coffee, as Rosero recommends, also has the role of diluting gastric acids. Thus, when the coffee is consumed, the irritating effect on the stomach is lower. Even in its decaffeinated version, coffee can stimulate the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. In the presence of food, this effect is diminished, but when the coffee is drunk on an empty stomach, symptoms such as burns or gastric discomfort may occur because there is no food that “Absorb” gastric acid.
Also, the consumption of hot coffee on the empty stomach can irritate the oral and esophageal mucosa, which is often dehydrated after a night without liquid intake. This irritation can occur more easily in sensitive people, depending on the individual reactivity.
Coffee on an empty stomach: effects on blood sugar and water balance
In addition to all the warnings offered by Dr. Rosero, it is known that, in some cases, the consumption of coffee on an empty stomach can cause transient increases in insulin level, even if this drink, consumed without addition, contains very few calories. This paradoxical response can lead, to some people, to a decrease in blood sugar – known as reactive hypoglycemia.
And in this case, the consumption of a glass of water before coffee can alleviate this reaction. And if a food is consumed next to coffee, the effect is even better controlled.
Caffeine is also known for its diuretic effect – easy, but present. This effect can be more pronounced in the morning, after a whole night without liquid intake, when the body is already in a state of dehydration. In this context, water consumption helps to prevent a possible electrolytic imbalance, a very important aspect in the case of people prone to the formation of kidney stones (kidney stones) or suffering from hyperuricemia (increased level of uric acid).
