Dr. Michael Tran, a gastroenterologist based in California, explains: “The stomach produces hydrochloric acid to digest food. If you keep adding coffee to an empty stomach, especially a highly acidic brew like black coffee, you’re essentially flooding an empty space with acid. Over time, this can erode the protective lining of the stomach, making it more vulnerable to injury.”
In the case of the young woman, she had unknowingly developed an ulcer due to this habit. The ulcer eventually perforated, creating a hole in the stomach wall — a medical emergency that requires immediate surgery and carries the risk of infection and even death.
A Common Mistake Many People Make
The idea of waking up and reaching for a cup of coffee — before brushing your teeth, before breakfast, sometimes even before getting out of bed — is romanticized in modern culture. Unfortunately, this habit is more harmful than many realize.