Top Doctor Exposes 7 Surprising Coffee Habits Harming Your Gut and Liver

According to a California-based gastroenterologist, Dr. Saurabh Sethi, several everyday coffee habits can be detrimental to one's gut and liver health. The doctor, who has trained at prestigious institutions like AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford, recently shared these insights in an Instagram video posted on November 12th.

One of the key points Dr. Sethi emphasizes is that drinking coffee on an empty stomach can increase stomach acid levels, leading to acid reflux, nausea, and even gastritis if done regularly. He also cautions against consuming flavored coffee drinks, which are often loaded with 30 to 50 grams of sugar - "empty calories" that can fuel fatty liver disease and diabetes.

Additionally, the gastroenterologist warns that consuming more than 400 milligrams of caffeine, or approximately four cups of coffee, can cause cortisol spikes, gut irritation, palpitations, and anxiety. He stresses that an evening cup of coffee can also delay sleep and impair the liver's ability to repair itself overnight.

Dr. Sethi further debunks the common belief that light roast coffee is gentler on the stomach, clarifying that dark roast is actually less acidic and may be better tolerated by those with reflux or GERD. He also highlights the potential harm of artificial sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame, which can disrupt the gut microbiome.