Expert: 5 things you should never do on an empty stomach

There are habits you’re used to doing and feel good about, but can actually lead to harmful effects on your body over time without you even realizing it. The Health Site (India).

Here, experts will point out 5 things you should not do on an empty stomach.

Coffee is acidic, drinking coffee on an empty stomach will increase acid production in the stomach and can cause burning and reflux. Shutterstock

1. Don’t drink coffee when hungry stomach

Many people have the habit of “refueling” with a cup of coffee at the beginning of the day and do not feel any problem with this.

Dietitian Carlyn Rosenblum, Vice President of Food and Nutrition Services at Kaigo Inc. New York (USA), explains, coffee is acidic, drinking coffee on an empty stomach as soon as you wake up in the morning will increase the production of acid in the stomach and can cause burning and reflux. Health Digest.

3. Be careful when taking multivitamins without breakfast

Taking multivitamins on an empty stomach will affect the gut. Dr. Christine Lee, a gastroenterologist, from the Cleveland Clinic (USA), said, regularly drink vitamin on an empty stomach can upset the digestive tract. Many people experience stomach pain, nausea, and even diarrhea.

4. Avoid foods that are too spicy

Spicy food can cause some stomach trouble, but eating on an empty stomach can be a cause of disaster. According to Dr. Lisa Ganjhu, a gastroenterologist, from NYU Langone Hospital (USA), eating spicy food when there is nothing in the stomach can irritate the stomach lining, causing stomach upset.

Be careful when taking multivitamins or pain relievers without breakfast Shutterstock

5. Be careful when taking pain relievers on an empty stomach

Dr. Adam Splaver, clinical cardiologist, from Cardiovascular Society NanoHealth Associates (USA), recommends, not to drink analgesic such as paracetamol, aspirin on an empty stomach, because it can lead to serious digestive complications.

This can irritate the stomach lining, which can lead to stomach bleeding, especially for people with a history of stomach problems, explains the Cleveland Clinic (USA). Health Digest. If you need to take these medicines, they should be taken with plenty of water.

5. Don’t drink alcohol on an empty stomach

The body absorbs alcohol 2 times faster on an empty stomach, because the alcohol goes directly into the bloodstream. Once alcohol reaches the bloodstream, it rapidly travels throughout the body and dilates blood vessels, reducing the heart rate. From the stomach alcohol can quickly reach the kidneys, lungs, liver and then the brain, damaging the liver, heart and kidneys.

Alcohol and mental health expert and NHS consultant, Tony Rao, warns drinking on an empty stomach is dangerous, as rapidly rising blood alcohol levels can increase toxic effects of alcohol on the brain. Because 20% of the alcohol consumed will reach the brain within 1 minute.

Most dangerously, drinking alcohol on an empty stomach repeatedly can lead to alcoholic ketoacidosis, which can be fatal.

Always remember to have a snack right away if you have to drink alcohol on an empty stomach, according to The Health Site.