Is it Bad to Drink Americano on an Empty Stomach? Guide

December 2, 2025 •

3 min read

According to health experts, drinking coffee on an empty stomach is not inherently harmful for most healthy individuals. However, an Americano, which is black coffee, can affect sensitive individuals differently due to its acidity and concentrated caffeine. Let's delve into whether this morning habit is right for you.

Quick Summary

For most people, enjoying an Americano on an empty stomach is safe, but individual tolerance varies. Potential concerns include digestive irritation, heightened anxiety, or jitters due to faster caffeine absorption, and temporary hormonal spikes. Solutions like having a light snack or choosing a darker roast can mitigate these effects.

Key Points

Generally Safe: For most healthy adults, drinking an Americano on an empty stomach is not considered harmful.
Individual Sensitivity is Key: Personal tolerance dictates the side effects, particularly for those with sensitive stomachs or caffeine sensitivity.
Digestive Issues: The acidity and caffeine can trigger or worsen symptoms like acid reflux or indigestion in susceptible individuals.
Cortisol Response: While coffee can temporarily raise cortisol, the effect is often minimal and temporary for regular drinkers, contrary to popular myth.
Rapid Caffeine Absorption: Consuming coffee without food can lead to faster caffeine absorption, potentially causing intensified jitters or anxiety.
Simple Solutions: Eating a small snack, adding milk, or choosing a lower-acid option like a dark roast or cold brew can mitigate negative effects.
Best Timing: Waiting 90-120 minutes after waking to drink coffee allows natural cortisol to peak and decline before introducing caffeine.

The Science Behind the Morning Americano

An Americano is a simple yet potent beverage, consisting of espresso shots diluted with hot water. This means, like other black coffee, it contains caffeine and natural acids that can affect the body, especially when consumed on an empty stomach. Understanding these effects is key to determining if this morning ritual is suitable for you.

Digestive Impact: Acidity and Absorption

Coffee's natural acidity can stimulate stomach acid production when consumed on an empty stomach. While most people handle this well, individuals with sensitive stomachs or conditions like GERD, IBS, or ulcers may experience discomfort such as heartburn, indigestion, or bloating. Caffeine can also relax the lower esophageal sphincter, potentially worsening acid reflux. Diet and stress are often more significant factors in conditions like ulcers than coffee alone.

Hormonal Response: The Cortisol Factor

Contrary to a common myth, a morning Americano generally causes only a minimal and temporary increase in the stress hormone cortisol, especially in regular coffee drinkers. While cortisol naturally peaks in the morning, drinking coffee during this time isn't likely to cause chronic high cortisol levels for most people. However, highly sensitive individuals might feel more anxious or jittery. Some experts suggest waiting 90 minutes to two hours after waking to allow natural cortisol levels to drop before drinking coffee.

Faster Caffeine Absorption

Without food, caffeine from an Americano is absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream. This can lead to a rapid energy boost, which some find beneficial. However, it can also amplify side effects like jitters or anxiety in sensitive individuals. Eating food with your coffee can slow absorption, providing a more sustained effect.

Individual Sensitivities and Risk Factors

The impact of an Americano on an empty stomach varies greatly depending on your individual health. This table compares how different sensitivities can affect your experience:


Consideration	High Sensitivity to Coffee	Low Sensitivity to Coffee
Digestive System	Prone to acid reflux, GERD, IBS, stomach ulcers.	Healthy digestive system, rarely experiences heartburn.
Caffeine Metabolism	Slow caffeine metabolism, leading to jitters and anxiety.	Fast caffeine metabolism, feels a steady energy boost.
Cortisol Response	Prone to stress and heightened anxiety when cortisol spikes.	Cortisol levels unaffected or only temporarily and minimally impacted.
Energy Effects	Experiences a rapid, intense spike followed by a crash.	Experiences a smooth, sustained increase in alertness and focus.
Best Practice	Consume with food or opt for low-acid alternatives.	Can drink on an empty stomach without issues.

How to Enjoy Your Americano on an Empty Stomach Safely

If you experience discomfort but want to keep your morning Americano, try these strategies to minimize potential side effects:

Pair with a light snack: A small amount of food helps buffer stomach acid and slows caffeine absorption.
Add milk: While changing the drink type, milk or a plant-based alternative can reduce acidity and be gentler on the stomach.
Choose a darker roast: Dark roasted coffees are typically less acidic than lighter roasts, which can help those prone to heartburn.
Delay your coffee: Waiting 90-120 minutes after waking might be beneficial as natural cortisol levels decrease during this time.
Drink water first: Hydrating before coffee can help dilute stomach acid.
Consider cold brew: Cold brewing results in significantly lower acidity, making cold brew Americanos a good option for sensitive stomachs.
Monitor your body's response: Pay attention to any recurring digestive issues or anxiety; if they persist, consuming an Americano on an empty stomach may not be suitable for you.

Conclusion

For most healthy individuals, drinking an Americano on an empty stomach is generally safe and a common way to start the day. However, individual tolerance is key. People with caffeine sensitivity or digestive issues like acid reflux are more likely to experience negative effects such as heartburn, indigestion, or increased anxiety. By understanding your body's reactions and implementing simple adjustments like eating a small meal or delaying your coffee, you can often enjoy your morning Americano as part of a healthy routine that suits your personal comfort. For more health information related to coffee, resources like {Link: Cleveland Clinic https://health.clevelandclinic.org/coffee-on-empty-stomach} are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

An Americano can feel stronger on an empty stomach because there is no food to slow down caffeine absorption. The caffeine enters your bloodstream more quickly, leading to a faster and more pronounced energy kick.

For individuals prone to acid reflux, yes. The acidity of coffee combined with caffeine's effect of relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter can increase the likelihood of acid and stomach contents flowing back into the esophagus.

For most regular coffee drinkers, the effect on cortisol is minor and temporary. The idea that coffee on an empty stomach leads to dangerously high cortisol is largely a myth, although sensitive people might experience a more noticeable spike.

The main difference is the milk. An Americano is black coffee, while a latte contains milk. The milk in a latte helps buffer the coffee's acidity, which can reduce the risk of digestive irritation for sensitive individuals.

Yes, for many people, especially those with sensitivities. Eating breakfast beforehand helps buffer stomach acid, slows caffeine absorption, and provides a stable energy source, preventing potential jitters or stomach discomfort.

If you experience jitters, try having a small snack with your coffee. Pairing it with a meal containing protein or healthy fats can help slow the caffeine absorption. If symptoms persist, consider a smaller serving or switching to decaf.

Some people find that faster caffeine absorption on an empty stomach provides a more effective energy boost for an early workout or to improve mental clarity. Additionally, coffee's antioxidants offer benefits regardless of timing.

A cold brew Americano may be a gentler option because cold brewing produces a less acidic coffee. This can be easier on the stomach and reduce the risk of heartburn, making it a good choice for those with sensitivities.