Although coffee has many beneficial ingredients and is even recommended for a variety of illnesses, there are three important reasons why it's good to have at least a bite of something else before sipping coffee (a piece of banana pie is perfectly fine).

1. Coffee stimulates the production of stomach acid
Coffee triggers stomach acid, which can lead to digestive issues and heartburn. The most peculiar thing is that these symptoms can appear a few hours later, even the next day, or at night. Additionally, coffee initially raises blood pressure, then lowers it, causing dehydration. If you drink coffee in the morning, your body can be dehydrated throughout the day, feeling tired and more susceptible to illnesses and even some chronic conditions (joint pain, vascular problems...). It's recommended to drink at least 3 dl of water after a cup of coffee (drinking more is advised!).

2. Coffee doesn't wake you up. That's a myth!
American scientists found that coffee doesn't have awakening effects, and in the morning, most people already have high cortisol levels, making the idea of coffee as a wake-up call a myth. Cortisol, as a stress hormone, naturally boosts metabolism in the morning. However, coffee works in the opposite way, suppressing the action of cortisol, thus making the awakening process up to three times slower for coffee drinkers. Moreover, the return of this hormone to its normal level also happens more slowly, making morning coffee drinkers often more nervous and exposed to stress.

3. Coffee causes fatigue
The morning effects of coffee can tire the body. That's why it's always good to have a bite of real food, as it will better wake up the body, set it in motion, and ensure that cortisol levels return to normal quickly. Adding a bit of milk, butter, or the trendy cinnamon to coffee can also help reduce the side effects of morning coffee.

Take these pieces of advice into consideration as we enter the most demanding part of the year, when autumn transitions to winter, putting a significant strain on our bodies. This is also the time when illnesses are most prevalent.