Gastroenterologists say morning coffee without food is usually not a health concern

A viral social media warning about morning coffee and cortisol does not hold up, according to gastrointestinal specialists.

Drinking coffee before eating has long sparked debate, with some posts claiming it raises the stress hormone cortisol and harms the gut. But several gastroenterologists say the habit is generally not harmful.

One social media post suggested that coffee on an empty stomach can damage the lining that protects the gut from stomach acid. Another TikTok video featured a medical professional advising people to avoid the practice because it may trigger a cortisol spike.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. It helps regulate the body’s stress response, and both high and low levels can affect health, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

“Coffee doesn't seem to cause major problems when you drink it on an empty stomach. Studies haven't really shown that it causes problems [with] your cortisol or blood sugar or any other kind of metabolic issues,” Dr. Asma Khapra, a gastroenterologist at GastroHealth in Fairfax, Virginia, told Fox News Digital.

The cortisol surge some people associate with coffee may simply reflect the hormone’s normal morning peak, rather than a reaction to caffeine, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Caffeine can relax the muscular valve between the esophagus and the stomach, the clinic says, allowing stomach acid to rise into the esophagus and possibly cause heartburn.

Both regular and decaf coffee can also prompt the release of stomach acid and gastrin, a hormone involved in digestion.

That reaction happens whether or not someone has eaten, but without food in the stomach, some people may feel nausea, abdominal burning or an increased urge to use the bathroom, New Jersey gastroenterologist Dr. Douglas Weine told Everyday Health.

Weine added that caffeine is a stimulant, so it can activate the central nervous system and raise blood pressure and heart rate, which may contribute to anxiety, palpitations and sleep problems.

People react to caffeine differently, and some are more sensitive than others.

The Cleveland Clinic says coffee, and therefore caffeine, is absorbed more quickly when the stomach is empty. Even so, some people notice no negative effects from drinking it before breakfast.

According to Khapra, “it shouldn't really cause too many GI symptoms.”

“I think it's fine if you enjoy your cup of coffee on an empty stomach,” she said, adding that this advice does not apply when coffee is loaded with cream, milk, sugar or other additives.