If you can’t start your day without coffee, it might be time to rethink how you drink it. While coffee offers several health benefits, especially for the liver, consuming it the wrong way can quietly harm your gut and liver over time. Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford, recently highlighted seven common coffee mistakes that may be doing more harm than good.
According to Dr Sethi, drinking coffee on an empty stomach is one of the biggest mistakes. It increases stomach acid levels, leading to symptoms like acid reflux, bloating, and nausea. Over time, this habit can trigger inflammation and gastritis, particularly in people prone to digestive issues.
He also warns against flavoured and sugary coffee drinks, which often contain 30 to 50 grams of sugar per serving. These excess calories can contribute to fatty liver disease, obesity, and even diabetes.
Another common mistake is drinking more than four cups a day. Consuming over 400 milligrams of caffeine daily can elevate cortisol levels, cause heart palpitations, irritate the gut, and increase anxiety.
Dr Sethi advises avoiding coffee late at night, as caffeine stays in your system for five to six hours, disrupting sleep and reducing the liver’s natural overnight repair process.
Using coffee to mask fatigue instead of addressing poor sleep is another red flag. Relying on caffeine as an energy substitute can worsen exhaustion, impair focus, and heighten gut stress.
Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose are not safer alternatives either. These compounds may disrupt gut microbiota balance, negatively affecting digestion and metabolism.
Lastly, Dr Sethi clarifies that light roast coffee isn’t easier on the stomach—in fact, dark roast varieties are typically less acidic and may be better for people with acid reflux or GERD.
This information serves as general guidance and not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before making dietary changes.