Stop Doing These 5 Things When You Drink Coffee

In Brief

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, loved for its energizing effects and rich flavor. But how you drink it matters just as much as how much you drink. Some common habits like loading it with sugar or drinking it on an empty stomach can turn your daily cup into a health risk. The good news? With a few simple changes, you can enjoy coffee’s benefits while avoiding its downsides.

Table of Contents

1. Why Coffee Habits Matter

2. 5 Things to Stop Doing When You Drink Coffee

   • Drinking It on an Empty Stomach

   • Adding Too Much Sugar or Cream

   • Drinking Coffee Late in the Day

   • Overdoing the Quantity

   • Using Coffee as a Meal Replacement

3. Healthier Coffee Habits to Try Instead

4. FAQ

5. Conclusion

Why Coffee Habits Matter

Coffee contains caffeine and antioxidants that can support energy, focus, and even metabolic health. But it also stimulates cortisol (stress hormone), impacts digestion, and can disrupt sleep if consumed carelessly. That’s why building better coffee habits is key to keeping it a health-boosting ritual instead of a damaging one.

👉 Related: How I improved my sleep in 1 month

5 Things to Stop Doing When You Drink Coffee

1. Drinking It on an Empty Stomach ☕🚫

Coffee stimulates stomach acid production, which may cause gastritis, bloating, or heartburn when consumed without food.

2. Adding Too Much Sugar or Cream 🍬🥛

Excess sugar and processed creamers turn coffee into a calorie bomb, raising blood sugar and harming heart health.

3. Drinking Coffee Late in the Day 🌙

Caffeine stays in your system for up to 6–8 hours, delaying melatonin production and reducing deep sleep.

4. Overdoing the Quantity ⚡

More than 3–4 cups per day can increase anxiety, jitteriness, and even raise blood pressure.

5. Using Coffee as a Meal Replacement 🍽️

Skipping meals and relying on coffee for energy leads to blood sugar crashes and nutrient deficiencies.

Healthier Coffee Habits to Try Instead

• Pair coffee with a balanced breakfast or snack.

• Use cinnamon, cocoa, or plant-based milk instead of sugar-heavy creamers.

• Stick to 1–3 cups per day, ideally before 2 PM.

• Drink water between cups to stay hydrated.

• Focus on quality: choose organic, mold-free beans if possible.

👉 Also read: The Benefits of Drinking Water Regularly.

FAQ

1. Is black coffee healthier?
Yes, it avoids excess calories and sugar, but balance and timing are still important.

2. Can coffee cause dehydration?
Not in moderate amounts, but always balance with enough water.

3. What’s the healthiest time to drink coffee?
Mid-morning, between 9–11 AM, when cortisol levels naturally dip.

4. Does coffee help with weight loss?
It can boost metabolism slightly, but only when combined with a healthy lifestyle.

5. Is decaf a good alternative?
Yes, especially if you’re sensitive to caffeine or want an evening option.

Conclusion

Coffee can be a friend or a foe depending on how you drink it. Avoiding common mistakes like overloading on sugar, drinking on an empty stomach, or relying on it too late in the day helps you maximize its benefits while protecting your health.

💡 Action step: Tomorrow morning, try drinking your coffee with a balanced breakfast and no added sugar your body will thank you.

Scientific Sources

• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Coffee and Health.

• Mayo Clinic. Caffeine: How much is too much?

• National Sleep Foundation. Caffeine and Sleep.

✍️ Written by Narcisse Bosso, certified naturopath. His lifelong passion for health became a profound calling after a loved one passed away from a natural illness that could have been prevented with simple lifestyle changes and habits.