Without a warm beverage to get the day started, mornings are never truly complete. Tea is nice and all, but I can’t go a day without a hot cup of coffee. Sadly, we all understand that drinking too much coffee can be harmful. After a few too many cups, the majority of us have probably felt jittery, but what about after feeling sick from coffee? Can coffee make you feel queasy? Is there a scientific reason for this?
In the right amounts, caffeine may improve both mental and physical performance and may even help to lower the risk of Type-2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, it can also have negative effects that make you feel as bad as possible. While the majority of these side effects are only felt after consuming a lot of caffeine—I’m talking tens of cups—nausea brought on by coffee is unfortunately fairly common, especially if you already have a sensitive stomach.
Can Coffee Make You Nauseous?
Coffee is an acidic beverage, which is the first thing you need to understand. No, that doesn’t mean a brick or anything else will dissolve in it. These acids affect the flavor and “brightness” of a cup of coffee. Undoubtedly, some of the acids in there can irritate a sensitive stomach.
What you put in your coffee is another thing to think about. For those who are sensitive, things like dairy products or sweeteners can be problematic. You might be feeling queasy due to additives rather than coffee, as I previously mentioned. You might need to give up your daily latte macchiato or cappuccino, which I know you won’t want to hear.
In fact, coffee can interact with some medications and result in unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms.
Why Do You Feel Sick After Drinking Coffee?
Acidity
Science has it all figured out. The acidity of coffee is one common cause of post-caffeine nausea. Gastric discomfort, motion sickness, and reflux may result from this.
Due to its stimulating properties, caffeine encourages the digestive system to function a little more quickly, which results in the production of extra stomach acid. The stomach can become queasy when stimulated, especially if it’s empty and able to absorb caffeine quickly. As food is emptied into the stomach through the gastroesophageal sphincter, which is located at the base of the esophagus, it also relaxes this sphincter. Acid reflux, heartburn, and nausea can all result from this sphincter relaxing, which can cause some stomach acid to leak up into the esophagus.
Diuretic Effects
While nausea and acid reflux are both unpleasant, for some people the laxative effects of caffeine add another layer of unpleasantness. Because caffeine is a diuretic, it helps your body expel water in one way or another. When water is drawn from the blood and into the digestive system by a diuretic, it can cause nausea or diarrhea.
Milk & Sweeteners
It might also depend on how you’re drinking the coffee if you feel like these two explanations don’t explain why you feel queasy after consuming coffee. sweetener and milk combined? Both have the potential to upset your stomach, which will make you feel sick.
If you notice that you feel particularly ill after a milky coffee, you may be lactose intolerant. Artificial sweeteners can upset your gut’s natural microbiome, further distressing your poor acid-filled tum. If you have any worries or queries about your symptoms, it would be wise to speak with your doctor.
Hormones
After drinking a cup of coffee, there’s a good reason you might find yourself rushing to the bathroom.
Coffee contains caffeine, which stops the body from creating ADH hormones. Your kidney stops absorbing water if there are insufficient ADH hormones in your body.
The result?
After drinking your morning energy drink, you find yourself rushing to the restroom.
Additionally, you might also have diarrhea or nausea.
Medications
Caffeine in coffee can interact negatively with some medications.
The most common drugs that have coffee interactions include:
• Ciprofloxin and other antibiotics
• MAOIs and certain antidepressants
• Albuterol and asthma medications
One of these medications might interact with your coffee if you regularly take it.
Additionally, it might be at fault even if you take a drug that I didn’t mention.
Before taking your medication with coffee, read the labels. You’ll be able to stay away from unpleasant side effects like nausea in this way.
How to Prevent Feeling Nauseous After Coffee
Eat Something
Eating something prior to or at least concurrently with your coffee is the best way to avoid caffeine-induced nausea. Even a piece of toast will work, but protein-rich foods like yogurt, eggs, and cheese can help slightly slow digestion, which can lessen nausea.
Drink It Black Or Switch Up Your Milk
Dr. Sunni Patel, a clinician, and expert in gut health says that two additional options are to either completely forego cow’s milk or choose a plant-based alternative. He also advises staying away from all artificial sweeteners.
Stay Hydrated
Finally, remember to keep yourself hydrated. While a study from the NHS reported that a “small amount of coffee will not dehydrate you,” drinking lots of water lessens the harsh effects of coffee on the stomach and keeps your electrolytes up, says Dr. Patel, “especially if the coffee is making you go to the toilet more often.”
Close Note
Avoid drinking coffee when you’re feeling nauseous to avoid it. Reduce your coffee consumption as well. Remember that you can make coffee easier to stomach by adding water, milk foam, or non-dairy creamer.
The only other effective treatment for coffee-induced nausea is time.
