Consider How Coffee Affects Specific Diagnoses
People with diabetes may experience changes in blood sugar (either an increase or a decrease) in response to about 200 mg of caffeine. Some people can see blood sugar changes even with black coffee, not just sweetened beverages.
Keep in mind that coffee can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, so you’ll want to avoid coffee about an hour before a doctor’s appointment if they’re monitoring your blood pressure.
Aiding Digestion
Coffee affects digestion differently from person to person. “Coffee can cause indigestion or acid reflux in some people, but it may also benefit digestive function and health,” says Kelly Burgess, RD, who’s based in West Deptford, New Jersey.
For some, caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee (but not other caffeinated drinks like tea) promotes colon contractions and stool movement in the digestive tract. That’s because coffee contains acids that stimulate the production of certain hormones, such as gastrin, that help stimulate muscle contractions in the digestive tract. This helps explain why some people swear by a strong cup of coffee in the morning to help keep them regular.
Since the digestive system is naturally more sensitive and the colon is more active in the morning, drinking coffee in the morning may help you have a morning bowel movement. Just keep in mind that coffee can send you to the bathroom within minutes, so you may need to factor in time and access to a bathroom before you drink it.
Too Much Caffeine Can Affect Sleep
It’s well known that having too much caffeine or consuming it too late in the day can make it harder to fall asleep, shorten sleep duration, and reduce sleep quality.
It’s especially important to cut caffeine off earlier in the day if you’re dealing with insomnia, as caffeine too close to bedtime can worsen symptoms.
Consider Medication Interactions
“This is a case where waiting to drink coffee makes sense,” Antonio says. “The best thing to do is take your medications with water and then drink coffee later.”
Try taking your medication an hour before drinking coffee or two hours after, and speak with your doctor to ensure it’s safe to consume caffeine.
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