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Coffee is a popular beverage nowadays. However, can you drink coffee when you're sick? Drinking coffee has its pros and cons depending on the condition you're having.
1. Coffee makes you feel more energetic
Caffeinated coffee helps wake many people up in the morning. In fact, even decaf (decaffeinated coffee) can have a mildly stimulant effect for many people due to the placebo effect.
For many coffee drinkers, energy is one of the main benefits of coffee, as well as one reason you might choose to drink coffee when you're sick.
For example, coffee can help you stay awake if you feel sluggish or tired.
Also, if you have a mild cold, coffee can get you through the day without causing any significant side effects.
2. Coffee can cause dehydration and diarrhea
Trẻ em uống cà phê có thể bị tiêu chảy
Coffee can also cause some negative effects. The caffeine in coffee is diuretic, which means it can draw fluid out of your body and cause you to excrete more in your urine or stools.
In some people, drinking coffee can lead to dehydration due to diarrhea or increased urination. However, some researchers note that moderate amounts of caffeine such as 2 cups of coffee per day have no meaningful effect on fluid balance.
In fact, regular coffee drinkers are more likely to get used to the diuretic effect of coffee, to the point where it doesn't cause them any problems with fluid balance.
If you are sick, can you drink coffee? When you're sick with symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea - or if you have the flu, a severe cold or food poisoning, you should avoid coffee and opt for extra fluids and electrolytes.
Some examples of more hydrating drinks include water, sports drinks, or diluted fruit juices.
However, if you are a regular coffee drinker, you can continue to drink coffee without increasing the risk of dehydration when you are sick.
3. Coffee can irritate stomach ulcers
Cà phê có tính axit có thể gây kích ứng dạ dày
Coffee is acidic, so it can irritate the stomach in some people, such as those with active stomach ulcers or acid-related digestive problems.
According to a study in 302 people with stomach ulcers, more than 80% of cases reported an increase in abdominal pain and other symptoms after drinking coffee.
However, another study of 8,000 people found no relationship between coffee intake and stomach ulcers or other gastrointestinal related problems such as intestinal ulcers or acid reflux.
The link between coffee and stomach ulcers does not seem to be consistent. If you find that coffee causes or aggravates your stomach ulcers, you should avoid it or switch to cold brew, less acidic coffee.
4. Coffee interacts with some drugs
Coffee also interacts with some medications, so you should avoid coffee if you take one of these. In particular, caffeine can enhance the effects of stimulant drugs such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), which is commonly used to help ease cold and flu symptoms. It can also interact with antibiotics you may receive if you have a bacterial infection of any kind.
Again, regular coffee addicts can tolerate these drugs while drinking coffee, as their bodies get used to its effects.
However, you should speak with a healthcare professional before choosing to drink coffee with these medications. Another option is to drink decaf coffee while taking these medications, as the caffeine in coffee is what causes these interactions. While decaf coffee does not contain caffeine, it is unlikely to cause drug interactions.
5. Bottom line
Trường hợp bệnh nhân cảm lạnh uống cà phê rất tốt
Although moderate coffee consumption is usually harmless in healthy adults, drinking coffee while sick can cause certain harmful effects. Drinking coffee is fine if you have a cold or a mild illness, but more severe illnesses accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea can lead to dehydration.
However, if you are a regular coffee drinker, you can continue to drink coffee during more severe illness without side effects. You can also limit coffee if you notice that it causes stomach ulcers.
Finally, you should also avoid coffee - or caffeinated coffee when you are taking any medications that can interact with caffeine, such as pseudoephedrine or antibiotics. It is best to consult your doctor if you have any concerns about drinking coffee while you are sick.
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