Doctors settle debate over drinking coffee on an empty stomach and potential health risks

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach is a somewhat controversial practice, with claims circulating on social media that it spikes levels of the stress hormone cortisol and harms the gut, but some gastroenterologists say it's not harmful.

One social media post claimed that drinking coffee on an empty stomach can damage the lining that protects the gut from stomach acid, and in a post on TikTok, a medical professional advised against drinking coffee on an empty stomach, saying that it can cause a spike in cortisol levels.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. It helps regulate the body's response to stress, and high or low cortisol levels can affect a person's health, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

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"Coffee doesn't seem to cause major problems when you drink it on an empty stomach. Studies haven't really shown that it causes problems [with] your cortisol or blood sugar or any other kind of metabolic issues," Dr. Asma Khapra, a gastroenterologist at GastroHealth in Fairfax, Virginia, told Fox News Digital.

Gastroenterologists challenge the social media claim that drinking coffee on an empty stomach causes spikes in cortisol levels. (iStock)

Cortisol naturally peaks in the morning, according to the Cleveland Clinic, so the "spike" in cortisol some people attribute to drinking coffee on an empty stomach might just be a natural process rather than a side effect of the coffee.

Consuming caffeine relaxes the muscular valve between the esophagus and stomach, according to the Cleveland Clinic, which can cause stomach acid to move up into the esophagus and possibly lead to heartburn.

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Both regular and decaf coffee trigger the release of stomach acid and gastrin, a hormone that regulates digestion.

This occurs whether a person has eaten, but without food, various symptoms can arise, such as nausea, burning in the abdomen, or the urge to use the bathroom, New Jersey-based gastroenterologist Dr. Douglas Weine told Everyday Health.

Cortisol levels are naturally at their highest in the morning, according to the Cleveland Clinic. (iStock)

Caffeine is a stimulant, so it can activate the central nervous system and contribute to an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to anxiety, heart palpitations and sleep issues, Weine added.

Everyone handles caffeine differently, and some are more sensitive to it than others.

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It is true that the body absorbs coffee and, therefore, caffeine more rapidly when the stomach is empty, the Cleveland Clinic says, although some people experience no negative side effects when consuming coffee on an empty stomach.

People handle caffeine differently, but most healthy adults won't have negative side effects from drinking coffee on an empty stomach, according to gastroenterologists. (iStock)

According to Khapra, "it shouldn't really cause too many GI symptoms."

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"I think it's fine if you enjoy your cup of coffee on an empty stomach," she said, with the caveat that a large amount of cream, milk, sugar or other additives is not included.

Sadie Chafe is a writer on the Lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.