What morning beverage is the most beneficial? The answer hinges on your personal taste and the condition of your gastrointestinal system.
Coffee
Caffeine acts as a stimulant for the central nervous system, elevating blood pressure and increasing heart rate. Furthermore, coffee prompts the production of stomach acid. While this poses no issue for a healthy stomach, individuals with gastritis accompanied by high acidity, peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may experience burning sensations, pain, heaviness, or heartburn when consuming coffee. For those suffering from these conditions, drinking coffee on an empty stomach is strongly discouraged.
When symptoms are not active, coffee can be acceptable, but it should be consumed with milk and not on an empty stomach.
Tea
Tea also stimulates acid production, though typically to a lesser extent than coffee. Black tea contains tannins, compounds that can have an astringent effect on the mucous membranes. Some individuals find green tea on an empty stomach less tolerable precisely because of these tannins, which can lead to mild nausea or discomfort.
Tea, particularly when brewed strong, is not ideal for those with sensitive stomachs. Conversely, for individuals with low stomach acidity, tea might be a more comfortable option than coffee.
Cocoa
Cocoa stands out as the gentlest choice.
“It barely stimulates acid production, making it advisable for individuals with high acidity, gastritis, and even ulcers in remission. It coats the mucous membranes, providing a feeling of warmth and fullness. Additionally, cocoa contains magnesium, which calms the nervous system. Its invigorating effect comes from a mild tonic effect rather than aggressive stimulation,” explains Igor Sokolsky, a Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences and phytochemistry specialist, to aif.ru.
However, cocoa may not be suitable for calorie-conscious individuals, as cocoa made with milk and sugar contains more calories than tea or black coffee. It’s also not recommended for those with milk intolerance. In such cases, cocoa prepared with water or plant-based milk is advised.
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