Can coffee make you nauseous (why is coffee making me nauseous + more information)?
You’re a coffee junkie, but you’ve recently discovered that you can’t stand the taste or smell of coffee. Unbelievable as it sounds, you feel nauseous. So, can coffee make you nauseous?
I have always started my mornings and ended my evenings with three cups of coffee. Yet I realized that sometimes it would make me feel very nauseous. I was disturbed about this, so I researched to find answers for every coffee lover who gets nauseous about coffee. By the end of this article, you will understand what you need to do to avoid this sickening feeling.
Table of Contents
Why does coffee make you nauseous?
There are various reasons why coffee makes you nauseous.
Having too much coffee
Yes, even a coffee junkie must have limits. The Food and Drug Administration recommends that a healthy person have a maximum of 3 to 5 cups of coffee daily. So, excess coffee can affect your digestive system, and you may feel nauseous and shaky when you down cup number eleven.
High caffeine sensitivity
Some people are susceptible to caffeine. This means that their bodies metabolize coffee slowly. This sometimes makes you feel sick when you consume coffee. So, if you get sick while consuming coffee, it may be in your genes.
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach
Sometimes you drink coffee on an empty stomach, which is not recommended. Coffee is acidic, and it irritates your stomach lining if you are a sensitive person. Therefore, the caffeine and acidity in your coffee will result in coffee-induced nausea.
Excessive creamers and sweeteners in your coffee
Additionally, you could be adding excessive creamers and sweeteners to your coffee. Sweeteners, for example, cause a fast rise in your blood sugar followed by an immediate sugar crash. Therefore, your body feels fatigued, and you can get nauseous.
If you realize that you suddenly have an aversion to coffee, you could also be lactose intolerant. Maybe you’ve been taking your coffee with milk, but suddenly, you can no longer do so. You could have developed lactose intolerance which typically develops as you grow older.
Dehydration
Caffeine is a diuretic, which means that it removes water in your body, risking you from getting dehydrated. For this reason, coffee lovers are always advised to drink water often, even as they enjoy their coffee. It is interesting how coffee drinkers will not miss grabbing a cup daily, yet forget the importance of drinking water. So, if you start feeling nauseous, ask yourself when was the last time you had a glass of water.
Pregnancy
Surprise! You could be expectant. At least this was the case for my friend last year. The body works in mysterious ways, and at times, it can non-consciously avert your drinking to prevent your body from ingesting something harmful to the baby. Remember that health experts do not recommend coffee intake during pregnancy, stating it is harmful.
Reaction with medication
You may be on medication, and your nausea could result from the coffee’s reaction to your drugs. It is not recommended to combine caffeine which stimulates your body, with other steroids and stimulants.
What should you do if you feel nauseous after drinking coffee?
There are various practices you can try to combat nausea when consuming coffee.
- Reduce your daily intake to 4 cups as recommended by the FDA. This will ensure you remain healthy and happy.
- Drink as much water as possible because it is necessary for our bodies. This will ensure you stay hydrated even as you enjoy your beverage.
- Always eat something before or while you drink your coffee.
- Reduce the sugar and milk that you add to your drink. Remember that you can use plant-based products if you are lactose intolerant.
- You’ll have to wait for your prescribed drugs to end before returning to your coffee.
- If caffeine is the problem, then worry not. There are other options that you can always go for.
FAQ Section
Could nausea from coffee mean I’m pregnant?
Yes. Caffeine triggers the gastrointestinal system to cause more acidity in your body. This leads to heartburn, acid reflux, and even morning sicknesses.
Would adding milk to my coffee prevent nausea?
Sometimes, adding milk to coffee is good. This is because it will dilute your caffeine and minimize the effects.
Would decaf coffee take nausea away?
Yes, decaf coffee may have a little caffeine in it, but the content is not excessive enough to make you feel nauseous. You can sleep better, be energetic and not get sick.
Will light roast coffee reduce nausea after drinking coffee?
Yes, it will. Sometimes people are susceptible to caffeine; hence, darker roasts even project their nausea. A light roast may help reduce nausea because the caffeine smell and taste are not too intense.
Can drinking coffee on an empty stomach makes you nauseous?
Yes, caffeine on an empty stomach means too much acidity in your body, which will irritate your stomach lining. In turn, you will get nauseous.