Why morning coffee might be harming your health

For many people, coffee is an essential part of their morning. Although some discuss the romance of waking up with coffee, it has little connection to a romantic outlook on life. Many confess they can't function without a cup of aromatic coffee immediately after waking up.

While available in many delicious forms, drinking it first thing in the morning might not be the best choice for your health. Dietitians highlight concerns about its potential harm and present research findings to support this view.

We know that nearly half of us will wake in the morning and, before doing anything else, drink coffee – intuitively the more tired we feel, the stronger the coffee. This study is important and has far-reaching health implications as up until now we have had limited knowledge about what this is doing to our bodies, in particular for our metabolic and blood sugar control. Put simply, our blood sugar control is impaired when the first thing our bodies come into contact with is coffee especially after a night of disrupted sleep. We might improve this by eating first and then drinking coffee later if we feel we still feel need it. Knowing this can have important health benefits for us all – warns Professor James Betts, head of the Centre for Nutrition, Exercise, and Metabolism at the University of Bath in the UK.

Similarly, dietitian Loveneet Batra states that coffee increases cortisol levels, known as the stress hormone. This makes the body more alert, but at the same time, morning coffee causes an increase in blood sugar levels. People with conditions such as diabetes should particularly avoid drinking coffee first thing in the morning. Consuming this beverage increases the risk of ailments throughout the day.

The dietitian notes that morning coffee can also negatively affect digestion. Due to its acidic pH, it increases the production of stomach acid, which, combined with caffeine, can negatively impact the lining of the stomach and intestines. People with gastric issues, such as reflux, should avoid drinking coffee without having a meal first.

Batra also emphasises that coffee on an empty stomach can affect the absorption of levothyroxine (synthetic thyroid hormone). This disrupts the conversion process of T4 and T3 hormones, which is dangerous for people with hormonal issues. However, that's not the only downside of early coffee consumption. Caffeine also contributes to oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

Coffee on an empty stomach is also not advisable for people with high blood pressure. Rapidly absorbed caffeine can lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure.