Can I Drink Cold Coffee on an Empty Stomach? What You Need to Know

December 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2024 study in the Times of India, many people believe that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is harmful, a persistent myth that experts largely debunk. However, your body's individual response to caffeine and acidity can determine if you can drink cold coffee on an empty stomach without discomfort.

Quick Summary

This article explores the effects of consuming cold coffee on an empty stomach, addressing concerns about acidity, cortisol levels, and caffeine sensitivity. It details how the brewing method, particularly cold brewing, can influence digestive health. The guide offers practical advice for managing potential side effects, such as choosing the right type of brew and mindful consumption, ensuring you can enjoy your coffee with minimal discomfort.

Key Points

Individual Tolerance Varies: Your personal reaction to coffee on an empty stomach depends on your sensitivity to caffeine and acid.
Cold Brew is Lower in Acidity: Cold brewing produces a less acidic coffee, which is gentler on the stomach than hot-brewed coffee.
Food Acts as a Buffer: Eating a small snack before your coffee can help reduce potential digestive discomfort by buffering stomach acid.
Caffeine Affects Absorption: Drinking coffee without food can lead to faster caffeine absorption, potentially increasing feelings of jitters or anxiety.
Add-ins Can Help: Including milk or a non-dairy creamer can help neutralize coffee's acidity.
Watch for Symptoms: Pay attention to consistent signs of discomfort like heartburn, nausea, or anxiety, and adjust your habits accordingly.
Cortisol Spikes are Temporary: While coffee can temporarily raise cortisol levels, the effect is generally minor and not a long-term health concern for most people.
Medical Conditions are a Factor: Individuals with conditions like gastritis, ulcers, or GERD should be more cautious and may need to avoid coffee on an empty stomach.

Is Drinking Cold Coffee on an Empty Stomach Safe?

For most people, drinking cold coffee on an empty stomach is generally safe and unlikely to cause serious, long-term health issues. However, the effects can vary significantly from person to person, based on individual sensitivity to caffeine and coffee's natural acids. While many enjoy their morning brew without incident, others may experience uncomfortable side effects.

The Impact of Cold Coffee on Digestion

One of the main concerns regarding coffee on an empty stomach is its effect on the digestive system. Coffee, both hot and cold, stimulates the production of stomach acid. For most, this poses no problem. For those with a sensitive stomach, existing gut issues like IBS, or a predisposition to acid reflux, this increase in acidity can lead to discomfort.

Lower Acidity of Cold Brew: A significant advantage of cold coffee, specifically cold brew, is its lower acidity compared to hot coffee. The cold brewing process, which involves steeping grounds in cold water for an extended period, extracts fewer of the acidic compounds that can cause stomach irritation. This makes cold brew a gentler option for many who experience digestive issues with hot coffee.
Potential for Gut Irritation: Even with lower acidity, coffee still prompts the release of gastric acid. Without the buffering effect of food, this acid can potentially irritate the stomach lining in sensitive individuals, leading to a burning sensation or indigestion.

Caffeine, Cortisol, and Anxiety

The stimulating effects of caffeine are another consideration. When consumed on an empty stomach, the caffeine is absorbed more rapidly, leading to a more intense and faster-onset caffeine rush. This can cause a temporary spike in energy, followed by a potential crash later in the day. For those prone to anxiety, this can worsen feelings of jitters, nervousness, or restlessness.

Cortisol Production: Some sources suggest that drinking coffee first thing in the morning, when the stress hormone cortisol is naturally peaking, can further elevate these levels. Chronically high cortisol levels can be detrimental to health, but research suggests that for most regular coffee drinkers, any increase is temporary and not a cause for long-term concern. The effects appear to be similar whether coffee is consumed with or without food.

Cold Brew vs. Hot Coffee on an Empty Stomach


Aspect	Cold Brew on Empty Stomach	Hot Coffee on Empty Stomach
Acidity	Lower acidity, gentler on the stomach.	Higher acidity, more likely to cause heartburn and irritation.
Extraction	Slower extraction of acidic compounds due to cold water.	Faster extraction, leading to a more acidic brew.
Caffeine Release	Can sometimes have higher caffeine concentration, depending on brew strength.	Absorption speed is faster, potentially leading to quicker jitters.
Flavor Profile	Smoother, sweeter, and less bitter taste.	Richer flavor profile, but can be harsher for some.
Gut Impact	Less likely to cause digestive upset for sensitive individuals.	More likely to irritate the stomach lining and cause reflux.

How to Minimize Discomfort

If you love your cold coffee but experience negative effects on an empty stomach, there are several steps you can take:

Eat First: Pairing your coffee with a light, simple breakfast, like a banana or oatmeal, can help buffer the acidity and slow the absorption of caffeine.
Switch to Cold Brew: If you're not already, make the switch to cold brew. The lower acidity can make a world of difference for a sensitive stomach.
Add Milk or Cream: Adding milk or a non-dairy alternative can help neutralize some of the coffee's acidity, making it easier to digest.
Stay Hydrated: Drink a glass of water before your coffee. This hydrates you and can help dilute stomach acid.
Listen to Your Body: Pay close attention to how you feel. If you consistently experience stomach pain, jitters, or anxiety, it may be a sign to adjust your coffee habits or opt for decaf.

Additional Considerations for Special Cases

Individuals with conditions like gastritis, ulcers, acid reflux disease (GERD), or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may find that coffee exacerbates their symptoms and should be more cautious. Those with anxiety disorders or blood sugar regulation issues may also experience intensified symptoms. For these groups, consuming coffee with food or avoiding it might be best, and consulting a healthcare provider is recommended for severe or persistent symptoms.

Conclusion

For the majority of people, drinking cold coffee on an empty stomach is not a health risk, and the notion that it is universally harmful is largely unfounded. Individual tolerance to caffeine and acidity is the most significant factor. Cold brew coffee, with its lower acidity, is often a more stomach-friendly alternative to hot coffee. By being mindful of your body's reactions and implementing simple strategies like having a light snack beforehand or adding milk, you can likely enjoy your cold coffee without negative side effects. Ultimately, paying attention to how your body responds is the most effective way to ensure a comfortable coffee experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, for many people, cold brew is a better option. The cold brewing process results in significantly lower acidity, which is less likely to irritate the stomach lining and cause discomfort or acid reflux compared to hot coffee.

Yes, consuming caffeine on an empty stomach can lead to a faster absorption rate, which might cause an intensified and more rapid caffeine rush. For individuals sensitive to caffeine, this can heighten feelings of anxiety, nervousness, or jitters.

Yes, adding milk or a non-dairy alternative can help. The fats and proteins in milk can buffer the acidity of the coffee, providing a protective coating for the stomach lining and making the drink easier to digest.

No, the temperature is not the primary issue. The main factors are the acidity of the coffee and the rapid absorption of caffeine. However, the cold brewing process itself inherently produces a lower-acidic beverage, making it a better choice for sensitive stomachs.

Not necessarily. You can first try mitigating the effects by eating a small meal beforehand, switching to cold brew, or adding milk. If these changes don't help and you still experience significant discomfort, it may be best to reduce your intake or consult a doctor.

For some individuals, particularly those with insulin sensitivity or diabetes, caffeine can cause a temporary spike and subsequent drop in blood sugar levels. Consuming coffee with food can help stabilize this effect.

Coffee can cause a temporary rise in cortisol levels, which naturally peak in the morning. While some believe this is more pronounced on an empty stomach, the effect is typically temporary and not a cause for concern for most people, especially regular coffee drinkers.

Cold brew coffee is often recommended for sensitive stomachs due to its lower acidity. Darker roasted beans also tend to be less acidic than lighter roasts, and you can also consider decaf if caffeine is the main trigger.