9 Things You Should Avoid Doing on an Empty Stomach

May 22, 2018

The way you start our day can keep us lively and energetic throughout the day. However, sometimes you develop certain habits that may lead to undesired emotional and physical effects. This is particularly true if you are on an empty stomach.

While these habits become a part of your routine, they can affect your wellbeing over time.

So, we’d like to talk about nine things that you must avoid doing on an empty stomach, to keep yourself healthy:

1. Drinking Coffee

Even drinking decaffeinated coffee on an empty stomach, leads to the release of acid which can lead to heartburn and digestive tract problems. Skipping breakfast after coffee can lead to gloomy mood and serotonin deficiency.

So, if you can’t stop yourself from having coffee in morning, drink it with cream or milk because milk fat would help reduce the harmful effects. It is better to drink natural coffee than freeze-dried coffee.

2. Going to Bed

Low glucose level and hunger can prevent us having good sleep and may lead to early awakening and superficial sleep. It has been found that lack of good sleep can increase the production hunger-inducing hormones. Thus, you eat more throughout day when you skip your dinner.

Eating just before sleep may not be good for health. The best option is to consume dairy products as they have calcium and magnesium. These minerals will help give you a good sleep.

3. Doing Intense Training

There is a common opinion that doing exercise on an empty stomach help burn more calories. But the truth is, it doesn’t lead to fat loss. Rather, it causes muscle loss, and the intensity of exercise is reduced as the body is devoid of required energy.

It is advised to choose aerobics over intense training. If you suffer from digestive problems, take snack before doing any exercise as physical activity stimulates release of gastric juices, which can be harmful on an empty stomach.

4. Drinking Citrus Juices

The fibers and acid in citrus fruits can be harmful on an empty stomach, especially for people having gastritis.

Fresh citrus juice is healthy if taken in diluted form.

5. Eating Raw Vegetables

This one is especially true for people who are diet conscious and think that salads can be taken any time of day. Raw vegetables may not be helpful if taken on an empty stomach. They are full of fiber which might put more load on an empty stomach. They may also cause abdominal pain and flatulence when consumed on an empty stomach.

6. Drinking Alcohol

Without eating, the alcohol absorption rate increases. However, the elimination of alcohol breakdown products slows down, which may lead to a severe hangover. The effect of alcohol on your body have negative consequences on the liver, heart, and kidneys.

If the situation does not allow you to refuse a drink, choose cooled noncarbonated drinks as they get absorbed slowly. It is better to eat at least a small sandwich, especially one that contains butter.

7. Consuming Anti-inflammatory Drugs

You should avoid medications such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on an empty stomach. It can lead to digestive complications.

The compounds in these medicines can cause an imbalance in stomach lining and gastric bleeding.

8. Arguing

Researchers of a study in the U.S. have revealed that the feeling of hunger causes irritability, which makes you more susceptible to arguing. The brain needs energy to function and control itself. So, it’s not a good idea to argue on an empty tank.