What is the best drink in the morning on an empty stomach? Your Guide to Kickstarting Your Day

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

After sleeping for several hours, your body is in a state of mild dehydration. Choosing wisely, what is the best drink in the morning on an empty stomach can effectively rehydrate your body, stimulate metabolism, and prepare your digestive system for the day ahead.

Quick Summary

This guide explores various beneficial beverages to consume on an empty stomach, detailing their impact on metabolism, gut health, and energy levels. Learn which drinks are ideal for your wellness objectives and which ones to avoid first thing in the morning.

Key Points

Prioritize Water: The simplest and most effective drink first thing in the morning is plain water to rehydrate the body after a night's sleep.
Boost Metabolism: Warm water, green tea, and ginger tea can help kickstart your metabolism and aid digestion early in the day.
Soothing the Gut: For improved gut health, consider probiotic-rich options like kefir or fermented teas like kombucha, or soothing ginger tea.
Avoid Acidity: Drinks like coffee and citrus juices should be avoided on an empty stomach to prevent irritation and acid reflux.
Customize for Goals: Select your morning drink based on specific health objectives, such as warm lemon water for a vitamin boost or apple cider vinegar for gut support.
Hydration is Key: Regardless of your choice, ensuring proper hydration is crucial for energy levels, mental clarity, and overall body function.
Beware of Sugar: Consuming sugary drinks first thing can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, leading to fatigue and irritability.

Waking up and choosing the right beverage is a simple yet impactful way to influence your overall health. Many people reach for coffee or orange juice, but consuming the right drink on an empty stomach can optimize your body's functions from the start. This decision can be the difference between a sluggish start and a day powered by optimal hydration and metabolic function.

The Top Choice: Plain Water

For most people, the undisputed champion for the first drink of the day is a simple glass of water. After a night of fasting, your body is naturally dehydrated and needs to replenish lost fluids to function correctly. Drinking water first thing in the morning helps rehydrate your system, kickstarts your metabolism, and can even boost mental alertness.

Hydrates your body: Replenishes fluids lost during sleep.
Boosts metabolism: Studies show it can increase metabolic rate by up to 30%, aiding in weight management.
Flushes toxins: Supports kidney and liver function in cleansing the body of waste.
Aids digestion: Helps prepare your digestive system for the day's intake and prevents constipation.
Improves mental clarity: Enhances blood flow to the brain, combating brain fog and lethargy.

While room temperature water is ideal, some sources suggest that cold water can cause your body to expend extra energy to warm it, potentially burning more calories.

Excellent Options for Added Benefits

Beyond plain water, several other drinks offer targeted health benefits for those with specific goals or needs.

Warm Lemon Water

Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon to warm water is a popular wellness ritual with numerous benefits.

Rich in Vitamin C: Provides an antioxidant boost for a stronger immune system.
Aids digestion: Stimulates bile production, which helps with fat breakdown and can ease indigestion.
Supports weight management: Can help curb appetite and may aid in fat oxidation.
Promotes skin health: Vitamin C and antioxidants help combat free radicals and support collagen production.

It's important to note that some sources, such as Vogue, suggest that the high acidity of lemon water can irritate a sensitive stomach, so it's not for everyone.

Ginger Tea

For a soothing and warming start to your day, ginger tea is an excellent choice.

Anti-inflammatory: Ginger's potent anti-inflammatory properties can soothe the digestive tract.
Aids digestion: Promotes stomach motility and reduces bloating and gas.
Eases nausea: Can help calm an upset stomach, especially if you experience morning nausea.

Green Tea

Green tea offers a gentle caffeine boost alongside a wealth of antioxidants known as catechins.

Boosts metabolism: The catechins and caffeine can help increase fat oxidation and calorie burning.
Detoxifies: Acts as a natural detoxifier, helping to flush out toxins.
Provides sustained energy: Offers a cleaner energy boost than coffee, with fewer jitters and crashes.

However, some individuals with sensitive stomachs may experience irritation or nausea from the tannins in green tea when consumed on an empty stomach.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Drink

Diluting 1-2 tablespoons of raw ACV in water is a popular morning health tonic.

Supports gut health: Contains acetic acid, which can promote the growth of good gut bacteria.
Regulates blood sugar: Some studies suggest it helps manage blood glucose levels.
Aids digestion: Can help balance stomach acidity.

Always dilute ACV generously to protect your teeth and throat from its acidity.

Ayurvedic Options

Ayurvedic medicine offers several morning drink traditions focused on balancing digestion.

Cumin-Coriander-Fennel (CCF) Tea: Balances the digestive fire (Agni), aids in reducing bloating, and promotes healthy digestion.
Triphala Water: A gentle detoxifier that supports intestinal health and regularity.

Drinks to Avoid on an Empty Stomach

While many beverages are beneficial, some should be avoided first thing in the morning due to potential adverse effects on an empty system.


Drink Type	Why to Avoid on an Empty Stomach	Potential Symptoms
Coffee	Can increase stomach acid production and cortisol levels, leading to irritation and anxiety.	Heartburn, indigestion, jitters, anxiety.
Citrus Juices	Highly acidic and can irritate the vulnerable stomach lining, especially for those with gastritis.	Acid reflux, stomach upset.
Sugary Drinks	Causes a rapid spike and subsequent crash in blood sugar, putting a burden on the liver and pancreas.	Fatigue, irritability, increased hunger.
Cold Beverages	Can shock the digestive system, potentially slowing down metabolism and causing stomach cramps.	Cramps, discomfort.
Alcohol	Absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, amplifying its effects and irritating the stomach lining.	Increased intoxication, dehydration, irritation.
Spicy Foods	Can trigger an inflammatory response in the stomach lining.	Heartburn, indigestion, inflammation.

Conclusion: Finding Your Best Morning Drink

Ultimately, there is no single "best" drink for everyone, as individual needs and sensitivities vary. Plain water remains the safest, most effective, and universally beneficial choice for morning hydration and detoxification. However, for those seeking specific wellness benefits, incorporating warm lemon water for a vitamin C boost, green tea for a metabolic kick, or ginger tea for digestive comfort can be excellent alternatives. The key is to listen to your body, experiment with different options, and, most importantly, avoid drinks that can harm your sensitive, empty stomach. Prioritizing hydration and gentle, nourishing beverages will set a positive and healthy tone for your entire day.

Medical News Today provides additional information on the health claims and myths surrounding lemon water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, drinking coffee on an empty stomach can increase stomach acid production, which may lead to irritation, heartburn, and anxiety due to increased cortisol. It's best to have it after a light meal.

While not a miracle cure, warm lemon water can support weight loss by boosting metabolism slightly and providing a filling, low-calorie alternative to sugary drinks. The pectin fiber in lemons may also suppress appetite.

After hours of sleep, your body is dehydrated. Plain water is the most basic and effective way to rehydrate, cleanse your system, and boost your metabolic rate without any added ingredients or potential irritants.

It is generally recommended to avoid highly acidic citrus juices, like orange or grapefruit, on an empty stomach, as they can irritate the stomach lining and trigger acid reflux in sensitive individuals.

Fermented drinks like kombucha are excellent for gut health due to their probiotics. For some, they can be a great way to start the day, but it's best to choose options low in added sugar and listen to your body's reaction.

Warm water infused with Triphala powder or ginger and cumin is a traditional Ayurvedic drink for gentle detoxification. These herbs help cleanse the digestive tract and stimulate digestion.

Consuming sugary drinks on an empty stomach can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels, followed by a crash, leading to fatigue and irritability. This also places an unnecessary burden on the liver and pancreas.