Drinking Coffee on an Empty Stomach? Five Effects on the Body

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Drinking coffee in the morning before breakfast has become routine for some people. As well as helping to reduce drowsiness, coffee is often consumed to improve focus before starting the day.

However, the habit can cause discomfort for some people, particularly those who are sensitive to caffeine or have digestive problems.

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach is not necessarily harmful to everyone. Most people can enjoy it without experiencing any significant problems. Nevertheless, coffee can stimulate stomach acid production and trigger symptoms such as heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest, nausea or abdominal discomfort in some people.

Research into the relationship between coffee and digestive problems has produced mixed findings. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in April 2026, covering 40 studies and a total of 122,074 participants, found an association between coffee consumption and a slight increase in the likelihood of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

However, these findings do not prove that coffee directly causes GERD in everyone, particularly as a result of drinking it on an empty stomach.

Coffee can stimulate stomach acid production. For some people, this may cause irritation or discomfort, especially if they have a history of digestive problems.

Caffeine and several other compounds in coffee can also affect the digestive tract. People respond differently: some can drink coffee before eating without discomfort, while others experience symptoms afterwards.

Even so, there is no strong evidence that drinking coffee on an empty stomach directly causes peptic ulcers or stomach damage in everyone. Any symptoms should be considered in light of each person’s health and individual sensitivity.

Coffee and caffeine can trigger or worsen acid reflux symptoms in some people. This happens when stomach contents flow back into the oesophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest or a sour taste in the mouth.

The US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) lists coffee and caffeinated drinks among common triggers associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. However, triggers vary from person to person.

People who often experience a burning sensation in the chest, a sour taste in the throat or other symptoms after drinking coffee can try cutting back and monitoring whether their symptoms change.

For some people, drinking coffee before eating can cause nausea, heartburn or abdominal discomfort. The reaction may be affected by caffeine sensitivity, the amount of coffee consumed and digestive health.

People with dyspepsia or certain digestive disorders may also find that caffeinated drinks worsen their symptoms. The NIDDK advises people to pay attention to foods and drinks that trigger symptoms, including coffee if it is found to make them worse.

However, this does not mean everyone needs to avoid coffee on an empty stomach. If it causes no symptoms, the habit is generally not a problem for healthy adults.

As well as affecting digestion, caffeine can influence the nervous system. Excessive consumption or sensitivity to caffeine can cause palpitations, restlessness, tremors, nausea and sleep problems.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is not generally associated with negative effects for most adults. This amount is not suitable as a limit for everyone, since responses are affected by health conditions, medication, body weight and individual sensitivity.

The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee also varies according to the type of bean, brewing method, serving size and strength. Coffee consumption should therefore not be measured solely by the number of cups.

Some people feel the urge to have a bowel movement soon after drinking coffee. This effect is linked to coffee’s ability to stimulate activity in the digestive tract.

Coffee can stimulate the release of digestive hormones and increase bowel movements in some people. The effect is not always the same; even decaffeinated coffee can trigger this response in some drinkers.

For some people, this effect is not troublesome. But if coffee leads to very frequent bowel movements or diarrhoea, reducing consumption and monitoring the body’s response may help.

How to enjoy coffee more comfortably

People who are accustomed to drinking coffee in the morning do not necessarily have to give up the habit. If coffee on an empty stomach causes discomfort, there are several simple steps they can try.

First, eat beforehand or have coffee with breakfast to see whether symptoms ease. Second, reduce the serving size or the amount of coffee consumed each day, especially if palpitations, restlessness or difficulty sleeping are frequent. Third, pay attention to added sugar, creamer and other ingredients that can increase calorie intake.

For people with GERD or recurrent digestive problems, keeping a record of drinks and when symptoms appear can help identify triggers.

If symptoms keep recurring or do not improve after changes in habits, consult a health professional. Symptoms such as severe chest pain, persistent vomiting, difficulty swallowing or vomiting blood require medical assessment.

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach is not automatically harmful to health. Its effects depend on a person’s sensitivity, caffeine intake and digestive health. Paying attention to the body’s response and limiting consumption according to individual tolerance is more appropriate than assuming coffee before breakfast is always harmful.