9 things you should never do on an empty stomach

There are some things we shouldn’t do on an empty stomach and they don’t just involve the food we consume. They can cause pain and, depending on the case, even more serious gastric problems.

Check out this list of 9 things you shouldn’t do on an empty stomach. And remember: you don’t just have an empty stomach in the morning when you just woke up, two hours after eating is enough for your stomach to be empty.

1. Take anti-inflammatories

The effectiveness of these medications may be reduced if you take them on an empty stomach. Never take anti-inflammatories on an empty stomach, drink at least a glass of milk so you don’t have pain or other problems.

2. Drink coffee

Are you the type of person who gets out of bed and has a cup of coffee? Know that this habit could be hurting your stomach and causing heartburn. Skipping breakfast can also lower levels of serotonin, the substance responsible for feeling good. In case you can’t get out of the habit of drinking coffee before anything else, at least try mixing it with milk.

3. Drink alcoholic beverages

The absorption of alcohol by the body doubles when we are on an empty stomach and the mechanism that mitigates the effects of alcohol does not work with the same effectiveness. That way, you get drunk faster and the hangover is much worse. In addition to being bad for your stomach, your liver, kidneys, and heart can also be affected.

4. Chewing gum

When you chew, your stomach prepares to receive some food, producing gastric juices. When you chew gum, you don’t swallow anything, which can damage the organ’s walls. Another interesting tip is not to chew your gum for more than 10 minutes, even if your stomach is full.

5. sleep

Going to bed hungry is horrible, isn’t it? In addition to being annoying, it can be bad for your health. Hunger and low blood glucose prevent us from having quality sleep, even causing us to wake up earlier than usual.

6. Practice intense physical activities

There is a myth that says that exercising on an empty stomach helps you burn more calories. This, as already stated, is a myth. Our body needs energy to not have its functioning affected and this energy comes from the food we consume. Exercising on an empty stomach does not help with fat loss, but it does contribute to muscle loss.

7. Shopping

You must be finding it strange, but that’s right. When we are hungry, we are more likely to buy anything – not just food. According to research developed by the University of Minnesota, in the United States, the internal message of “I want food” is confused with simply “I want it”, which makes us impulse buy any type of product. Having an empty stomach, in addition to being bad for your health, is bad for your pocket. Think about it!

8. Drink citrus fruit juices

Acid and excess fiber can be extremely harmful to an empty stomach. So, no drinking that big glass of orange juice on an empty stomach. A tip is to dilute it in water, but the ideal is still to avoid it.

9. Discuss

An Ohio State University study showed that when we’re hungry, we’re more likely to get into a fight with someone. This is because self-control requires energy, which is lacking when we are on an empty stomach. Arguing is never good, but having a snack beforehand can minimize the consequences of a fight.

Some habits are really hard to change, but being aware of which ones to avoid is a good start. The body is our greatest asset, we must always put health first!

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.