Should You Have Coffee Before Or After Breakfast

Coffee is a beloved morning ritual–a comforting routine that signals the start of the day. No matter if it’s a strong black brew or a creamy latte, coffee fuels millions of people worldwide.

However, is there an ideal time to drink it? Should you enjoy coffee before or after breakfast? This question goes beyond personal preference. It ties directly into metabolism, digestion, and overall well-being.

Emerging research suggests that the timing of your coffee matters more than you might think. Drinking it before eating may disrupt blood sugar levels. Meanwhile, having it after breakfast could help balance metabolism.

If you're looking to maximize the benefits of your morning cup while avoiding potential drawbacks, it’s worth understanding how coffee interacts with your body based on when you drink it.

How Coffee Affects the Body

Coffee is more than a wake-up call. It contains caffeine, a natural stimulant that increases alertness, improves focus, and enhances physical performance.

Beyond its energy-boosting effects, coffee is packed with antioxidants. This may support heart health, reduce inflammation, and even lower the risk of certain diseases.

However, coffee also has a direct impact on the body's hormones and metabolism. Caffeine influences cortisol, the hormone associated with stress and wakefulness. While cortisol naturally rises in the morning to help you feel awake, adding caffeine to the mix may amplify this effect. The result? Some people feel jittery or anxious after drinking coffee on an empty stomach.

Another key factor is how coffee interacts with blood sugar regulation. Studies indicate that drinking coffee before eating may impair the body’s ability to process glucose. This leads to higher blood sugar levels. Over time, this can affect insulin sensitivity and metabolic health.

Drinking Coffee Before Breakfast: Pros and Cons

For many, the first sip of coffee happens before any food is consumed. This habit is deeply ingrained in morning routines, but is it beneficial?

The Potential Benefits

Drinking coffee before breakfast provides an immediate jolt of energy. This makes it easier to shake off morning grogginess. The caffeine boost enhances mental clarity, improves reaction time, and may even support fat-burning by increasing thermogenesis, the body's heat production process.

Additionally, caffeine can stimulate metabolism and help the body burn calories more efficiently. For those who engage in early workouts, having coffee before breakfast may enhance endurance, improve focus, and increase overall performance.

The Downsides

Despite the perks, drinking coffee before eating can have some notable drawbacks. On an empty stomach, caffeine is absorbed more rapidly. This potentially leads to heightened anxiety or digestive discomfort. Some individuals experience acid reflux or stomach irritation due to coffee’s natural acidity.

More importantly, research shows that consuming coffee before eating can impact blood sugar control. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that drinking coffee before breakfast impaired the body’s ability to manage glucose levels after a meal.

This suggests that while coffee alone doesn’t cause blood sugar spikes, drinking it first thing in the morning may make it harder for the body to regulate glucose when food is finally introduced.

Drinking Coffee After Breakfast: A Smarter Choice?

If drinking coffee before breakfast may have drawbacks, what happens when you wait until after you eat?

The Benefits of Post-Breakfast Coffee

Having coffee after a balanced breakfast may help regulate blood sugar levels more effectively. When the body has already received nutrients from food, the impact of caffeine on glucose metabolism appears to be less pronounced. This means fewer fluctuations in energy levels throughout the day.

Drinking coffee after eating may also help mitigate digestive issues. Food acts as a buffer–reducing the likelihood of acid reflux or stomach discomfort.

Additionally, since caffeine absorption is slightly slower when consumed with food, it may give a more sustained energy boost rather than a rapid spike followed by a crash.

For those who struggle with anxiety, having coffee after breakfast can help stabilize cortisol levels. Since the body has already gone through its natural morning cortisol peak, caffeine is less likely to cause excessive stress responses when consumed later.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

One possible downside of drinking coffee after breakfast is that it might delay the caffeine boost that many rely on to jump-start their day. For those who feel sluggish in the morning without coffee, this delay could make it harder to wake up and stay focused.

A simple adjustment, such as eating a small portion of food before having coffee, can help balance energy levels. This approach also reduces the potential negative effects of drinking coffee on an empty stomach.

Finding the right balance between food intake and caffeine consumption can help maintain alertness without compromising digestive comfort.

Finding the Right Balance

Every person’s body responds differently to coffee. There’s no universal rule that applies to everyone. However, for most people, waiting until after breakfast to enjoy coffee offers metabolic and digestive benefits.

If you love your morning coffee but want to avoid blood sugar spikes or stomach irritation, consider these tips:

• Start your day with a small snack or light breakfast before drinking coffee. A banana, toast, or yogurt can help buffer the effects of caffeine.
• Pair coffee with a meal rich in protein and healthy fats, such as eggs, whole-grain toast, and avocado. This can help stabilize blood sugar and give longer-lasting energy.
• If you experience jitters or an energy crash, try switching to a lower-caffeine option like half-caff or tea in the early morning and saving your coffee for later.

Enjoying Coffee at The Sassy Biscuit

At The Sassy Biscuit Co., we know that breakfast and coffee are the ultimate duo. However, timing matters, and so does quality.

That’s why we serve scratch-made biscuits, waffles, pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches that pair perfectly with our rich, satisfying coffee. If you prefer your coffee before or after breakfast, we’re here to make your morning indulgent and delicious.

Still debating the best coffee routine? Stop by and let us serve you breakfast worth waking up for—because mornings should never be boring, and neither should your coffee.