How long after drinking AG1 can I drink coffee?

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Athletic Greens, the maker of AG1, one of the most effective methods for optimal absorption is to consume the supplement on an empty stomach. Knowing how long to wait after drinking AG1 before having your coffee is crucial for maximizing the benefits of both beverages without interfering with nutrient uptake. This timing is key to supporting your digestion and ensuring you get the most out of your daily nutrition.

Quick Summary

The ideal waiting period between drinking AG1 and coffee ranges from 15 to 60 minutes, depending on individual sensitivity and priorities. This interval helps prevent coffee's compounds, like polyphenols and caffeine, from inhibiting the absorption of AG1's vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. Proper timing supports digestive health and ensures you get maximum nutritional benefits from your daily routine.

Key Points

Optimal Absorption Window: Wait at least 30–60 minutes after drinking AG1 before having coffee to maximize nutrient absorption and protect probiotics.
Polyphenols Bind Minerals: Coffee's polyphenols can inhibit the absorption of key minerals in AG1, including iron, zinc, and magnesium.
Caffeine Increases Excretion: The diuretic effect of caffeine can cause increased excretion of water-soluble vitamins, such as B-vitamins, which are abundant in AG1.
Prioritize AG1 on Empty Stomach: For best results, consume AG1 first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with cold water, as recommended for optimal bioavailability.
Avoid Hot Liquids: Never mix AG1 with hot coffee or any hot liquid, as the heat can destroy the live probiotic cultures and compromise other heat-sensitive ingredients.
Listen to Your Body: Individual responses vary, so adjusting your waiting time based on how you feel can help fine-tune your routine for maximum benefit.
Support Iron Absorption: If iron is a concern, pairing iron-rich foods or supplements with vitamin C-rich foods and waiting a full 1-2 hours after coffee can enhance absorption.

The Science Behind AG1 and Coffee Timing

To understand the right interval between drinking AG1 and your morning coffee, it's essential to know how each interacts with your body. AG1 is a foundational nutrition drink packed with vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, and probiotics, formulated to support whole-body health. The manufacturers and many health experts recommend taking it on an empty stomach to maximize the bioavailability of its ingredients. This allows the nutrients, particularly the sensitive probiotics, to be absorbed effectively without interference from food or other beverages.

Coffee, on the other hand, contains compounds like polyphenols (including tannins and chlorogenic acid) and caffeine. These can bind with certain minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and zinc, and inhibit their absorption. Caffeine also acts as a mild diuretic, which can increase the excretion of water-soluble vitamins like the B-complex vitamins found in AG1. While the effects of moderate coffee consumption are minimal for most people with a balanced diet, proper timing can ensure you aren't needlessly compromising the efficacy of your supplement.

The Recommended Waiting Time: A Detailed Breakdown

There is a slight variation in recommendations from different sources, but most experts suggest a waiting period to ensure optimal absorption. The manufacturer's general guidance is flexible, but a more conservative approach is often recommended by nutritionists and users for maximum benefit.

15-30 minutes: Athletic Greens has indicated that a brief waiting period is acceptable. For individuals who are not sensitive to coffee's effects on nutrient absorption, this shorter window may be sufficient. It's a balance between convenience and minimal interference.
30-60 minutes: Many supplement users and health professionals advise waiting at least 30 to 60 minutes. This longer interval provides a safer buffer, giving your body ample time to absorb the AG1's nutrients before introducing coffee's inhibiting compounds. This is a robust approach that caters to most people's physiological needs.
1-2 hours: For those particularly concerned about nutrient absorption, especially regarding minerals like iron and zinc, a 1-2 hour wait is the safest bet. Coffee has been shown to have a stronger inhibitory effect on non-heme iron, making this longer delay particularly important for those taking AG1 to boost their iron levels.

A Comparison of AG1 and Coffee Timing Scenarios

To illustrate the different approaches, here's a helpful comparison table:


Timing Scenario	Rationale	Pros	Cons
Drink immediately after AG1	Convenience and speed; fits a fast-paced morning routine.	Quick and easy; requires no planning.	Risk of reduced nutrient absorption due to coffee's compounds. Potentially compromises the efficacy of AG1's probiotics and minerals.
Wait 15-30 minutes	Follows manufacturer's guidance; a compromise between convenience and efficacy.	Better than no wait; respects the general advice of the brand.	Still carries some risk of nutrient interference, especially for sensitive individuals or those focusing on specific mineral absorption.
Wait 30-60 minutes	Recommended by many health experts; offers a safe buffer zone for absorption.	High likelihood of maximizing nutrient absorption from AG1. Supports digestive system without immediate disruption.	Requires a deliberate pause in the morning, which might not fit all schedules.
Wait 1-2 hours	Provides maximum separation between compounds for critical nutrients like iron.	Highest potential for optimal absorption of all AG1's nutrients.	Least convenient; requires significant planning and might disrupt the morning routine.

Optimal Strategies for Your Morning Routine

Creating an optimal morning routine involves more than just the timing of your beverages; it's about setting up healthy habits that last. Here's how you can integrate both AG1 and coffee effectively:

Hydrate First: Upon waking, start with a large glass of water to rehydrate your body. This primes your system for the nutrients from AG1.
Take AG1 on an Empty Stomach: As recommended, mix one scoop of AG1 with 8-10 ounces of cold water and drink it first thing in the morning. The cool temperature is also important, as hot liquids can damage the live probiotics.
Wait for Maximum Absorption: Wait 30 to 60 minutes. This is a balanced approach that provides a safe window for your body to absorb the vital minerals and probiotics without interference from coffee's compounds.
Enjoy Your Coffee: After the waiting period, you can proceed with your coffee and breakfast. For enhanced iron absorption, consider adding a source of Vitamin C to your meal.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body responds. If you experience digestive discomfort, bloating, or feel that the energy boost from your AG1 is diminished, consider extending the waiting period between the two drinks.

Potential Issues with Ignoring Timing

Ignoring the recommended waiting period between AG1 and coffee can potentially lead to several issues. The polyphenols and tannins in coffee can significantly decrease the bioavailability of certain minerals, particularly iron. Studies show this reduction can be as high as 39% or more, even with just one cup of coffee. While the effect on other minerals like calcium and zinc is less dramatic, the consistent, daily combination could lead to nutrient deficiencies over time. Furthermore, the hot temperature of coffee can destroy the delicate probiotic cultures in AG1, negating their intended gut health benefits. The diuretic effect of caffeine can also accelerate the excretion of water-soluble B vitamins, potentially reducing their impact.

Conclusion

While a rigid waiting time isn't essential for every individual, waiting 30 to 60 minutes after drinking AG1 before your coffee is a smart, science-backed strategy to ensure you reap the full nutritional benefits of your supplement. This simple timing adjustment allows your body to efficiently absorb the vitamins, minerals, and probiotics from AG1 before coffee's compounds have a chance to interfere. Incorporating this habit can optimize your digestion, maximize nutrient uptake, and provide a more effective start to your day. As with any significant dietary change or supplement use, consulting a healthcare professional is always a wise step, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, coffee does not completely cancel out the benefits of AG1, but it can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients, particularly minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium. By waiting at least 30-60 minutes, you can minimize this interference.

No, you should never mix AG1 directly into hot coffee. The high temperature can destroy the live probiotic cultures and compromise the integrity and efficacy of other heat-sensitive ingredients in the formula.

The recommended waiting time can vary based on the level of caution. While some suggest 15-30 minutes for convenience, a longer 30-60 minute window is a safer buffer to ensure maximum absorption for most people, especially for minerals. For those with specific concerns like iron levels, an even longer gap of 1-2 hours is advised.

Drinking coffee immediately after AG1 is unlikely to cause serious health problems for most healthy individuals. The primary concern is simply reducing the supplement's effectiveness by hindering nutrient absorption, rather than creating a toxic or harmful interaction.

If waiting a full hour is not feasible, prioritize consistency over perfection. Try to maintain a 30-minute gap, and focus on pairing meals containing healthy fats with other supplements later in the day to support nutrient absorption.

Yes, consistency is the most important factor for AG1. While taking it on an empty stomach in the morning is recommended for optimal absorption, you can take it at any time that fits your routine, as long as you maintain a window away from your coffee.

Coffee, especially if hot, can kill the sensitive probiotic cultures in AG1. Even cold coffee can introduce acidity that may harm the probiotics. Waiting a suitable amount of time with cool water is best to ensure they are delivered effectively to your gut.