4 things to avoid after drinking coffee

To make the most of the health benefits of coffee, people should avoid the following:

Drink coffee instead of meals

Many people are too busy and want to lose weight so they choose to drink a cup of coffee instead of breakfast. This is a harmful habit. Coffee can suppress hunger and make the drinker feel alert for a short time. However, coffee does not provide enough energy, protein, fat or essential vitamins that the body needs to function, according to the health website Healthline (USA).

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Experts say that skipping breakfast and drinking coffee instead causes blood sugar to drop, increasing cravings for sweet and fatty foods in the evening. In addition, drinking coffee on an empty stomach also increases stomach acid, which can easily lead to stomach ulcers or chronic digestive disorders.

Drink coffee after taking medicine

Coffee can affect the way your body absorbs and metabolizes certain medications, from antibiotics to thyroid medications to antidepressants. A study published in the journal Clinical Pharmacokinetics found that the caffeine in coffee can reduce the effectiveness of the hypothyroidism medication levothyroxine. Therefore, patients should avoid drinking coffee at the same time or immediately after taking their medication.

In addition, coffee also increases the excretion of calcium, iron and magnesium. These are essential minerals for the body, often added to some drugs or functional foods. Therefore, you should wait at least 1 hour after taking medicine before drinking coffee.

Smoking while drinking coffee

The combination of caffeine and nicotine in cigarettes can create an instant feeling of pleasure, leading many people to develop a habit of drinking coffee and smoking at the same time. However, research shows that this habit doubles the levels of cortisol and adrenaline, two stress hormones that cause the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to rise.

Furthermore, coffee stimulates intestinal motility, while nicotine constricts blood vessels. This results in strong contractions in the digestive system, which can easily lead to stomach ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome.

High intensity workout while drinking coffee

Although coffee is often used as a stimulant to increase athletic performance, drinking coffee and then immediately engaging in high-intensity exercise can be dangerous, especially for people with heart problems.

According to the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research , caffeine increases heart rate and blood pressure. When combined with heavy weight training or high-intensity cardio, the heart will be pushed into a state of overactivity, easily causing dizziness, irregular heartbeat or even fainting. To be safe, wait about 30-60 minutes after drinking coffee before starting a heavy workout, according to Healthline .