Why you should drink water before your morning coffee |

How does your ideal morning begin? With a cup of coffee? Well, you are not alone. Though coffee has several health benefits, starting your day with coffee may not be a good idea. While coffee on an empty stomach can cause discomfort for some, experts suggest waiting an hour or two after waking to maximize its energy-giving effects. For stressful days, consider a low-caffeine alternative.

What is the first thing you drink in the morning? Coffee, tea, matcha, fruit juice, or water? Your choice of drink is really important. If you find yourself crawling to the coffee machine and making a cup of coffee, because ‘you can’t function without it,’ this is your sign to stop. This applies to all the beverages except for water.

What happens if you drink coffee on an empty stomach?

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages across the globe. In fact, Americans are obsessed with this beverage. 66% of American adults drink coffee each day, compared to the 10% of US adults who eat eggs daily, according to The Fall 2025 National Coffee Data Trends report. More than 70% of American adults drink coffee each week.While coffee has multiple health benefits, drinking it on an empty stomach may not be a good idea. It can cause digestive discomfort for some people, including acid reflux, heartburn, or an upset stomach. Coffee is also a mild diuretic, so drinking it on an empty stomach can exacerbate dehydration if your body is already low on fluids.

Why is it important to drink water before morning coffee?

Even if your day does not begin without a cup of coffee, starting with a glass of water can really work wonders for your health. Dr. Eric Ascher, a Family Medicine doctor based in New York, US, says the first beverage that you should be drinking upon waking up is water. “What if I told you it is really important to drink water first thing in the morning? If you’re like 80% of people who don’t drink enough water anyway, having an extra glass in the morning is a great idea,” the doctor said, in a video shared on YouTube for Northwell Health.According to the doctor, water helps to improve your mood. It boosts energy and metabolism for the rest of the day, and also prevents constipation to an extent. It also aids digestion. “So there are so many good reasons to drink water, especially first thing in the morning. And if you’re like me, who hates drinking water, I always add lemon or cucumber or whatever fruit I have to give me an extra energy boost and some extra vitamins and minerals,” the doctor said.

Bottom line

Whether to drink coffee on an empty stomach in the morning or not is a heated debate on social media. Dr. Megan Rossi, a leading gut health scientist and registered dietitian, in a video shared on Instagram says, “Drinking coffee on an empty stomach is generally well tolerated, and might even result in less gut-related symptoms in those who are sensitive.”

However, she suggests trying to wait for one or two hours after waking to consume coffee for the ‘full energy-giving benefits.’ On days when you experience higher levels of stress than usual, she suggests, “You may want to start your day with a low-to-no caffeine drink, like warm water (that has some gut-stimulating benefits too).”Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment.