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9 Things You Should Never Do on an Empty Stomach

We are all familiar with the adage - 'You are what you eat'. But what we do before a meal has a great impact on our health. Below, you will discover nine things you cannot do on an empty stomach (no less than two hours after your last meal). 

1. Take anti-inflammatories

what not to do on an empty stomach

Any drugs like aspirin, paracetamol and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), should not be taken on an empty stomach, doing so will reduce their effectiveness and cause serious health problems - including gastric bleeding. 

Tip: Milk reduces the negative effects of the NSAIDs. So, if it is not available you can wash the drug down with plenty of water. 

2. Drink coffee

Decaffeinated coffee stimulates the production of acid that may potentially cause heartburn and other digestive tract issues if drunk on an empty stomach. If you skip breakfast even after coffee may lead to a serotonin deficiency, causing you to feel gloomy for the rest of the day. 

Tip: If you cannot give up the habit of drinking coffee first thing in the morning, take it with some milk or cream. The fat in the milk will help reduce the negative effects. It's also best to choose natural coffee over freeze-dried. 

3. Drink alcohol

what not to do on an empty stomach

If you drink alcohol on an empty stomach, the alcohol absorption rate increases. In fact, it is the same as during its intravenous injection. The rapid effect of alcohol on the body has negative consequences for your liver, heart, and kidneys. 

Tip: If you cannot say no to a drink, choose cooled noncarbonated drinks as they are absorbed more slowly. Or better yet, eat a small sandwich, preferably one that has butter.

4. Chew gum

The digestive acid that is produced while you are chewing gum destroys the lining of an empty stomach. Chewing gum too often may also lead to gastritis. Studies have also shown that people who chew gum prefer junk food, as opposed to fruit and vegetables.

Tip: Opt for chewing gum that contains natural sweeteners which are less harmful than those that contain sugar, cyclamate or aspartame. Avoid chewing gum for more than 10 minutes, even on a full stomach. 

5. Go to bed

what not to do on an empty stomach


Hunger and low glucose levels prevent us from falling asleep and cause superficial sleep and early awakening. A lack of sleep also increases the level of hunger hormones. This is why we eat more on the following day after skipping dinner.

Tip: It's also not a good idea to eat too much before you sleep. The best solution is dairy products because they contain magnesium and calcium. 

6. Intense training

Some people think that exercising on an empty stomach burns more calories, when in fact, it doesn't influence fat loss. Muscle loss, on the other hand, is real. The exercise intensity is also reduced since the body lacks energy.

Tip: Replace intense training with aerobic exercise. If you have digestive issues, have a healthy snack before any type of exercise because physical activity induces production of gastric juice, which is harmful to an empty stomach. 

7. Shopping

what not to do on an empty stomach

Being hungry makes us buy more food than we actually need. An empty stomach makes us more prone to want to buy things, even in stores which don't serve food. In fact, research shows that the internal message of 'I want food' gets pared down to 'I want' causing a famished person to obey that message by buying things. 

Tip: A shopping list made in advance helps, as does paying with cash which can also help you save money. Research also shows that people tend to spend less when they pay with cash instead of a credit card. 

8. Drink citrus juice

The acid and tough fibers in citrus fruits irritate your empty stomach, this is especially dangerous if you have gastritis or you are at risk of developing it. 

Tip: If you suffer from hyperacidity, freshly squeezed citrus juice will bring nothing but benefits if diluted in water.

9. Arguing

what not to do on an empty stomach

Research has shown that hunger makes you less composed. This happens because self-control requires energy, which is in short supply when the stomach is empty. 

Tip: If you don't have time to eat before a discussion, drink something warm, as this will make the conversation more amicable. 

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Related Topics: health , tips , guide , baba recommends , empty stomach
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