Is drinking coffee on an empty stomach good or bad for your health?

In many countries, the vast majority of adults consume caffeine daily, in the morning and throughout the rest of the day. However, over the years coffee has become the subject of intense debate in the medical and scientific community.

Although some initial studies suggested possible health risks, recent studies have changed this view, emphasizing the potential benefits moderate coffee consumption.

This change in perspective is largely due to the exhaustive research carried out in recent years by experts from such prestigious institutions as T. H. Chan School of Public Health Harvard University.

According to the doctor Frank Hu, Director of Nutrition from the T. C. Chan School of Public Health Harvard“The overall evidence is very strong that coffee is more beneficial than harmful in terms of health outcomes. For most people, moderate coffee consumption can be included in a healthy diet.“

Recent studies support this claim, suggesting that consumption 2 to 5 cups of coffee per day may reduce the risk of developing a number of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart diseasesHe Liver cancer And endometriumas good as Parkinson’s disease And depression.

A study published by Harvard professors in the New England Journal of Medicine. Frank Hu and Walter Willetttogether with Dr. Rob M. van Dam, analyzed 95 Previous Studies on Caffeine and Caffeinated Beverages.

The authors concluded that consumption Three to five standard cups of coffee a day may reduce the risk of developing a number of chronic diseases. However, they also warned about adverse effects of excessive consumption caffeine, for example, lower birth weight and increased risk of pregnancy loss.

“Current evidence does not support recommendations for caffeine or coffee consumption for disease prevention, but suggests that for adults who are not pregnant or breastfeeding and do not have specific medical conditions, moderate consumption of coffee or tea may be part of the healthy lifestyle”– the authors wrote.

A study made in 2020 Derrick Alpereresearcher Harvard School of Public Healthdiscovered a connection between drinking four cups of coffee a day and reducing body fat by 4%.. Scientists explained that these benefits are achieved whenever coffee is consumed. without cream and sugar.

A study found that coffee contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compoundswhich may be responsible for the observed positive health effects.

This finding is consistent with previous research suggesting that moderate coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes and some types cancer.

Doctor Trisha Pasrichagastroenterologist in Massachusetts General Hospital and a professor at Harvard Medical School, as described in a newspaper article. New York Times What There is no convincing evidence that drinking coffee on an empty stomach can cause significant harm to the stomach..

According to Kim Barrett of the University of California School of Medicine and a member of the board of directors of the American Gastroenterological Association, “the stomach natural defense mechanisms, like the secretion of thick mucus, which protects it from irritants.” Large-scale studies, such as one conducted in Japan involving 8,000 people, found no link between coffee consumption and stomach ulcers.

However, coffee has temporary effects on the digestive system, such as accelerating intestinal transit and increasing stomach acid production. Drinking coffee alone without accompanying food may reduce Stomach pH more than if it were taken with other foods or with milk, which could theoretically be problematic for the esophagus and cause heartburn, the Harvard specialist said.

In general, Dr. Pasricha recommends that people be aware of their symptoms. If you are experiencing acidity or sour taste after drinking coffee, this may be helpful reduce the amount, take antacids or add milk. However, if no symptoms occur, there is no reason to change the habit.

Despite its benefits, Harvard researchers noted that there are certain risks associated with high coffee consumption. Too much caffeine can cause anxietyespecially in people with panic or anxiety disorders. In addition, drinking unfiltered coffee is associated with a higher rate of premature mortality due to compounds that can increase LDL (popularly called “bad” cholesterol). For this reason, experts recommend making coffee with a paper filter and avoid adding too much cream or sugar.

Likewise, some groups should exercise caution when drinking coffee. effects of caffeine on children They are not yet fully known and may be harmful during pregnancy. In addition, high consumption of caffeinated energy drinks, especially when combined with alcohol, may increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular, psychological, and neurological consequences.

As Infobae clarifies, coffee contains a wide range of chemical compounds That could have health implications, according to Marilyn Cornelis, an assistant professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

That’s why Excess caffeine can cause symptoms such as palpitations, nervousness, and anxiety., nausea or trouble falling asleep, said Jennifer Temple, a professor of exercise science and nutrition at the University at Buffalo. Caffeine poisoning involves excessive consumption of concentrated caffeine, such as powders or supplements, over a short period of time, he explained.

For healthy adults, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets safe intake is 400 milligrams per day (i.e. approximately four or five cups of coffee), this amount is usually not associated with negative and dangerous consequences. However, they caution that there is wide variation in how sensitive people are to the effects of caffeine and how quickly they metabolize it.