8 Activities to Avoid on an Empty Stomach

8 Activities to Avoid on an Empty Stomach

The saying “You are what you eat” is familiar to many, emphasizing the importance of diet on health. However, our actions before meals also significantly affect our well-being. and digestive system

We’ll present nine activities that are best avoided on an empty stomach (at least two hours after your last meal). Additionally, we’ll provide suggestions for what to do when hunger strikes after the piece. health tips

1. Take Anti-Inflammatories

Take Anti-Inflammatories

Aspirin, pain reliever, and similar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should not be consumed on an empty stomach. Doing so not only diminishes their effectiveness but also poses serious health risks, such as gastric bleeding. Explore here for additional medications that should be avoided on an empty stomach. junk food

Tip: Drinking milk can mitigate the adverse effects of NSAIDs. If milk is not available, ample water intake can help alleviate the issue.

2. Drink Coffee

Drink Coffee

Consuming even caffeine-free coffee on an empty stomach can trigger acid production, potentially leading to heartburn and digestive issues. Skipping breakfast after coffee intake may result in serotonin deficiency, causing a low mood throughout the day.

Tip: If you can’t resist morning coffee, consider adding milk or cream to mitigate its adverse effects; the fat content in milk can help. Opt for natural coffee over instant varieties. decaf coffee

3. Drink Alcohol

Drink Alcohol

Abstaining from food while consuming alcohol doubles its absorption rate, akin to intravenous injection. Consequently, the removal of alcohol byproducts slows down, resulting in a more intense hangover. The swift impact of alcohol on the body poses adverse effects on the liver, heart, and kidneys.

Tip: If circumstances demand alcohol consumption, opt for chilled, non-carbonated drinks to slow absorption. or else, consume at least one small sandwich, preferably with butter, to mitigate the effects.

4. Chew gum

Go To Bed

Chewing gum makes your stomach produce acid. If you chew too much gum on an empty stomach, it can hurt your stomach lining and might cause a condition called gastritis. Research shows that people who chew gum often prefer unhealthy snacks like chips and candy instead of fruits and veggies.

Tip: Choose chewing gums with natural sweeteners like xylitol or sorbitol. They’re better for you than gums with sugar, cyclamate, or aspartame. Limit gum chewing to no more than 10 minutes, even after eating a full meal.

5. Go To Bed

Go To Bed

When you’re hungry and your blood sugar is low, it’s hard to sleep well. You might not sleep deeply and wake up early. it’s worth noting, that insufficient sleep elevates hunger hormone levels, prompting increased eating the following day after skipping dinner.

Tip: Overeating before bedtime is also not recommended recommended. Opt for dairy products, which are rich in magnesium and calcium, to promote deep sleep. health tips

6. Intense Training

Intense Training

Some believe that exercising on an empty stomach results in more calorie burning. However, this notion doesn’t impact fat loss; instead, it contributes to muscle loss. Moreover, exercising without prior nourishment diminishes energy levels and reduces exercise intensity.

Tip: Opt for aerobic exercise instead of intense training. If your stomach often feels upset, it’s a good idea to eat a small snack before exercising. When you move around, your body makes stomach acid, which can bother an empty stomach.

7. Shop

Shop

It’s common knowledge that hunger often leads to purchasing more food than necessary. Surprisingly, an empty stomach also increases impulsive buying, even in non-food stores. Studies show that when people feel hungry, they might just feel like buying something, even if it’s not food. health tips

Tip: Alongside preparing a pre-made shopping list, paying with cash can aid in saving money. Further studies reveal that people tend to spend less when using cash rather than credit cards.

8. Drink Citrus Juice

Drink Citrus Juice

The acidic and fibrous parts of citrus fruits can upset your stomach if it’s empty, especially if you have gastritis or are prone to it.

If you enjoy fresh citrus juice, try diluting it with water before you drink it. For people with sensitive stomachs, it’s best to mix equal parts juice and water.

For others, a mix of two parts water to one part juice is better. Also, besides citrus fruits, there are other foods you shouldn’t eat on an empty stomach. You can discover them by viewing this video.

Bonus: What You Can Do When You’re Hungry

You might assume that eating something is the best course of action on an empty stomach. However, there are other less apparent activities to consider.

When you’re hungry, you might find it easier to focus and pay attention to things. Our ability to focus when hungry likely comes from our ancestor’s need to find food. The hunger hormone ghrelin also helps us concentrate by making our brains more active.

When you have to choose between things, like picking out clothes, it might be easier to decide when you’re hungry. Studies suggest that hunger prompts individuals to make more successful, albeit more impulsive, decisions. However, it’s advisable to refrain from using this approach for critical matters involving finances, relationships, or health. digestive tract problems, serious health problems, type of exercise. health tips

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