Show
TL;DR while experts have varying opinions on whether you can drink coffee before a blood test or not, the rule of thumb is to know what kind of fast you'll need to do. Some allow coffee (and even eating), while others will be better off without both. The best way to know is to ask the medical professional prior to the test to eliminate any doubts! --- You’re a coffee lover. Coffee’s part of your morning routine. But what if you have to take a blood test first thing in the morning? Can you still have your caffeine fix? This seems to be the million dollar question for many. So today, we’re embarking on a mission to find out what the real deal is. Why fast before blood tests?WebMD answers the question about why one needs to fast: [1]
Can you drink water before a blood test?Registered nurse Kathy Reutter writing at One Medical, says many people mistakenly think they need to avoid water during fasts. [2] Not so, she says. In fact, drinking enough water may help you feel better during a fast and also plump the veins for an easier blood draw by the phlebotomist. She states that blood is about 50 percent water. Blood work and coffeeBut what about coffee? Is drinking it acceptable when fasting? Doctors keep telling patients that it’s all right to have black coffee before fasting blood work. However, if you go through various online reports, you’ll note one thing - THEY SAY DIFFERENT THINGS! It seems that jury’s still out on this one. So here’s the game plan. We’ve taken the liberty to put together what various reports say and we’ll try to come up with a conclusion. Wait 'til you get to the end of this article for the verdict.
According to Livestrong, "a fasting glucose test measures the level of glucose in the blood during a fasted state," so you need to avoid food and beverage intake for at least 8 hours. [8]
Guidelines on common blood testsIt depends to some extent on what test is being performed, but for many that require fasting, intake of non-carbohydrate containing liquids a few hours before blood work will not impact results. Luckily, there are various guidelines available to know whether it’s safe to go with black coffee before heading to the clinic, or just steer clear altogether. The British National Health Service has the following fasting
guidelines on some common tests: [10]
Medical News Today also has additional guidelines, as follows: [9]
ConclusionDrinking coffee and eating are OK before some blood tests but not others, and some doctors say any black coffee at all before is OK even before a cholesterol test as long as you don’t add cream or sugar. But if you still find yourself in doubt, it’s best to ask a medical professional. In fact, upon recommendation of a blood test, you should double-check with your doctor. They may be ordering tests that they haven't told you about — tests that do require fasting. Sources[1] https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/fasting-blood-tests#1 [2] http://www.onemedical.com/blog/live-well/blood-draw-faq/ [3] https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/ask-the-doctor-what-blood-tests-require-fasting [4] https://www.everydayhealth.com/cholesterol-specialist/coffee-before-cholesterol-testing.aspx [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15928258 [6] http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fasting-may-not-be-necessary-before-cholesterol-test/ [7] http://www.livestrong.com/article/492574-can-i-have-coffee-if-im-fasting-before-blood-work/ [8] https://www.livestrong.com/article/464282-can-you-drink-coffee-the-morning-you-have-a-fasting-blood-sugar-test/ [9] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319080.php [10] http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1018.aspx Also in Viter Energy Blog
Can caffeine help with ED?by Mark Miller 3 min read Erectile dysfunction. In combination, those are two of the ugliest words known to man. But can caffeine help you get it up? Science hasn't found the definitive answer to this question, but one study concluded that fewer men who consume caffeine have problems performing. The study said:
Read More
Caffeine while breastfeeding? Go ahead, it's OKby Mark Miller 4 min read Many breastfeeding mothers wonder if it's OK to take caffeine. In fact, many nursing mothers just avoid caffeine in case it would keep their babies fussy, jittery and awake. The answer is yes, you can take caffeine while breastfeeding, as long as you don't go over about 300 mg a day. It's an important question because caffeine is in so many products, and taking coffee, tea, or soda is such a common ritual. And breastfeeding mothers may be tempted to take caffeinated products because they are deprived of sleep by their newborns' odd sleep schedule. Read More
The surprising benefits of chewing gumby Mark Miller 5 min read You might think gum chewing is an activity with little or no benefits besides the pleasure and flavor, but think again. Chewing gum has several benefits. In addition to freshening your breath, sugar-free gum can help prevent cavities and contribute to overall oral health. But that's just the beginning. Read More Is it OK to drink black coffee before a fasting blood test?Can you drink coffee if you're fasting before a blood test? Even if you drink it black, coffee can interfere with blood test results. That's because it contains caffeine and soluble plant matter, which might skew your test results. Coffee is also a diuretic, which means that it will increase how much you pee.
How long before a blood test can you drink coffee?A bite of toast and a few gulps of coffee won't really make a difference, right? Not so fast. Your results could come back wrong if you give in to temptation. Fasting means you don't eat or drink anything but water usually for 8 to 12 hours beforehand.
Does black coffee affect fasting blood sugar?According to a 2020 study, drinking black coffee "does not seem to alter fasting TG or markers of fat tolerance." It also does not influence fasting glucose and glycemic response. This is something to consider if you're taking a fat tolerance test or basic metabolic test.
|