What's the Best Thing to Drink on an Empty Stomach?

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

After hours of sleep, your body is naturally dehydrated, making what you drink first thing in the morning critical for setting the day's tone. Learning what's the best thing to drink on an empty stomach can help you feel more energized, aid digestion, and flush out toxins from the start.

Quick Summary

This guide covers the top recommended drinks for an empty stomach, including water, lemon water, and herbal teas. It examines their benefits for digestion, hydration, and metabolism, and addresses potential risks and contraindications.

Key Points

Plain Water is King: Starting your day with plain water is the most fundamental and effective way to rehydrate and stimulate your metabolism after hours of sleep.
Lemon Water Aids Digestion: Warm lemon water can aid digestion by stimulating bile production and provides a significant boost of antioxidant-rich vitamin C.
Herbal Teas Offer Specific Benefits: Herbal teas like ginger and peppermint can soothe an upset stomach or help with bloating and gas, making them a gentle and effective morning option.
ACV for Gut Health (with caution): An apple cider vinegar drink can boost stomach acid for better digestion and support gut health, but due to its high acidity, it may not be suitable for everyone and can damage tooth enamel.
Listen to Your Body: Individual reactions to drinks like lemon water and ACV vary, especially for those with acid reflux or sensitive stomachs, so always start cautiously.
Protect Your Teeth: To prevent enamel erosion from acidic drinks like lemon water or ACV, it is recommended to use a straw and rinse your mouth with plain water afterwards.

Waking up and rehydrating your body is one of the simplest yet most effective wellness habits you can adopt. Your body loses water during sleep through respiration and normal bodily functions, leaving you mildly dehydrated upon waking. A strategic choice of morning beverage can help replenish lost fluids, invigorate your system, and prepare your digestive tract for the day ahead.

The Top Choices for Your Morning

While plain water is the fundamental and undisputed champion of morning hydration, several other simple drinks offer unique benefits when consumed on an empty stomach. The right choice for you depends on your specific health goals, whether they are to aid digestion, boost immunity, or simply rehydrate efficiently.

Warm Lemon Water

One of the most popular morning drinks, warm lemon water, combines simple hydration with a dose of vitamin C and citric acid. The mild acidity helps to stimulate gastric juices and bile production, which aids in digestion and can help prevent bloating. The vitamin C content acts as an antioxidant, supporting the immune system and contributing to better skin health.

Plain Water (Warm or Cold)

Starting your day with a glass of plain water, whether warm or cold, is a simple and effective way to rehydrate and kickstart your metabolism. Warm water can be particularly soothing for the digestive system and helps stimulate bowel movements, while cold water may offer an invigorating boost. This practice helps flush out toxins that have built up overnight and aids in the proper functioning of your internal organs.

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are another excellent, caffeine-free alternative for a morning drink. Varieties like ginger, peppermint, and chamomile can offer different benefits. Ginger tea is a powerful anti-inflammatory that can soothe an upset stomach and combat nausea. Peppermint can help relax gastrointestinal muscles and reduce gas and bloating, while chamomile has a calming effect. These teas are gentle on the system and provide a comforting start to the day.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Drink

For those seeking a more potent option, a small amount of apple cider vinegar mixed with warm water can be beneficial. ACV increases stomach acid levels, which can help break down food more effectively throughout the day. It also contains probiotics that can promote gut health. However, due to its acidity, it should be consumed in moderation and might not be suitable for everyone, especially those with sensitive stomachs or acid reflux.

Comparison of Morning Drinks


Feature	Water	Lemon Water	Herbal Tea (Ginger)	ACV Drink
Primary Benefit	Hydration	Digestion, Vitamin C	Digestion, Anti-inflammatory	Digestion, Gut Health
Effect on Metabolism	Boosts slightly	Boosts slightly	Mild boost	May aid metabolism
Impact on Enamel	None	High acidity, use straw	Minimal	High acidity, use straw
Best for	Overall wellness	Digestion, Immunity	Upset stomach	Potent digestive aid
Potential Side Effects	None	Reflux in sensitive people	None generally	Reflux, Enamel erosion

How to Choose Your Morning Drink

Choosing the right drink for you depends on your body's needs and your health goals. If you are focused on simple, complete hydration, a glass of plain warm or cold water is your best bet. If you want a gentle boost to your digestion and immune system, warm lemon water is a solid choice. For specific digestive issues like nausea or bloating, a cup of ginger or peppermint tea can be very effective. If you are looking for a more powerful gut-health booster and don't have issues with acidity, the ACV drink may be worth trying, but with caution.

A Cautious Approach

It's important to listen to your body. For instance, while some people find warm lemon water soothing, others with acid reflux may find that the citrus exacerbates their symptoms. It's always best to start with a small amount of any new morning drink to see how your body reacts. Furthermore, for highly acidic drinks like lemon water and ACV, using a straw can help minimize contact with your teeth and protect your dental enamel.

Conclusion

While many options exist, water remains the gold standard for what's the best thing to drink on an empty stomach. Its ability to immediately rehydrate, boost metabolism, and aid in detoxification is unparalleled. For those seeking additional health benefits, warm lemon water, herbal teas, or even a diluted ACV drink can be beneficial additions to a morning routine. The key is to choose an option that aligns with your body's specific needs, ensuring a hydrated, healthy, and energized start to your day. As with any significant dietary change, it is wise to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it is the right choice for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Drinking water in the morning rehydrates your body after hours of sleep, boosts your metabolism, helps flush out toxins, and aids in organ function.

Many experts suggest waiting at least an hour after waking before having coffee. Coffee is a diuretic and can potentially worsen dehydration or cause digestive issues in some people when consumed on an empty stomach.

Lemon water aids hydration and digestion, which supports your body's natural detoxification processes performed by the kidneys and liver. However, it does not act as a magical 'cleanser' on its own.

While a diluted ACV drink can have benefits, its high acidity can lead to tooth enamel erosion and may cause issues like heartburn for sensitive individuals. It is best to consult a doctor before making it a daily habit.

If you need an energy boost without caffeine, try a glass of cold water, or an herbal tea like ginger or peppermint. These can stimulate your system without the crash associated with caffeine and sugar.

For optimal health benefits, it's best to avoid adding sugar or artificial sweeteners. A small amount of raw honey can be used in teas or lemon water for sweetness and added benefits.

Both have benefits. Warm water is often recommended for soothing the digestive system and stimulating bowel movements, while cold water can be more invigorating and help increase alertness.