We’re all aware of the adage “You are what you eat” but what we choose to put inside our bodies before each meal also has a significant effect on our overall health both physically and mentally.
I am here to tell you about the nine things you should be avoiding on any empty stomach roughly two hours after your last meal. I know this can be a little confusing but don’t worry I’ll be breaking down the do’s and don’ts. Also as a bonus wait until the end of the article to see what you can do when hunger strikes.
Taking Anti-inflammatories
Although they are a great solution for treating pain and inflammation, taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as Asprin, Paracetamol, and other anti-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause serious health problems if they are taken on an empty stomach. The dangers include gastric bleeding, upset stomach, bleeding ulcers and an overall un-effectiveness. If you are taking anti-inflammatories on a regular basis, there is a great chance you can develop these symptoms. In this case, a trip to your physician is necessary if you experience any of these above symptoms for further treatment
- Advice: The lactic acid in milk helps to reduce the adverse effects of NSAIDs. If you cannot get your hands on a glass of milk, you can drink plenty of water to gulp down the drug. Sometimes taking NSAIDs with antacid and calcium supplements seem to help ease an upset stomach. Switching up the time of when you take medicine from morning to afternoon or evening seems to help with any discomforts. Anti-inflammatories should never be taken with alcohol. Keeping all these things in mind while taking NSAIDs should get you feeling better in no time.
Taking coffee
Skipping on breakfast again and reaching for a cup of joe might not be such a good idea after all. Even drinking decaf coffee adds to producing more acid in your stomach that can result in some significant medical issues. Having a constant increase of acid in your stomach can cause damage to your stomach and digestive tract. Other problems like acid reflux, heartburn, and heart burns can also occur. If you find yourself under the weather, it might be due to the lack of serotonin, which is a chemical that our bodies need to produce to maintain the balance of moods.
- Advice: If you can’t shake the habit of having breakfast before your morning coffee or even after, then the best alternative would be to add cream or milk. The fatty acids in the milk will help to reduce the adverse effects. There are so much better all natural choices out there now so make sure you grab natural coffee the next time you go grocery shopping. Almond milk and coconut creamers are also an excellent choice and so yum.
Drinking Alcohol
Out on the town and having a few drinks with no food in your stomach raises the alcohol absorption by a factor of 2. You are likely to get intoxicated twice as much in a short period. It also means that it will take twice as long for you to get rid of the alcohol out of your system. You are more likely to wake up with a hangover the next morning. The increasing amount of alcohol in your body will always leave a negative effect on your body. Even though it might go unnoticed now, it will surely catch up, in the long run, causing severe damage to your liver, kidneys, and heart.
- Advice: If you just can not refuse a drink why not go for a chilled noncarbonated drink instead or better yet next time try eating a small sandwich or having some alfredo pasta, something rich in butter and fats. Waking up to a hangover? No problem, having some delicious french fries or pizza with lots of electrolytes. Hydration is essential!
Chewing gum
Chewing gum on an empty stomach tricks your food into thinking you are eating a real meal. It results in an increased amount of digestive acid which destroys the lining of your belly. A regular indulgence of gum can also lead to gastritis. It is a scientifically proven fact that those chewing gums are more likely to make bad eating choices, going for junk food and sweets rather than something a bit healthier. Chewing gum religiously can also cause jaw and dental problems.
