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Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
5 Coffee Combos Pharmacists Say to Avoid
Experts are warning against taking five vitamin and mineral supplements with your morning coffee. Caffeinated foods and beverages have become staples in most modern-day diets, whether it be a midday pick-me-up or a boost of energy right before a workout. Two in three American adults drink some form of coffee every day, according to the National Coffee Association. And approximately 59 million Americans regularly consume some kind of vitamins or supplements. However, multiple pharmacists suggest not taking certain ones, including iron, calcium, magnesium and some vitamins, while sipping on a cup as it may reduce absorption in the body. Dr Philip Ngo, a pharmacist with over a decade of experience in community pharmacy, explained: 'For instance, iron absorption can be slowed by caffeine and caffeine can impact certain nutrients via its diuretic properties.' Caffeine and polyphenols found in coffee can act as diuretics, meaning they increase urine production. This can become a problem as water-soluble vitamins, which aren't stored in the body for long, can be flushed out through urine before they are fully absorbed. Additionally, the tannins in coffee can also bind themselves to certain mineral-based supplements, which can prevent proper absorption in the body. As a result, doctors recommend waiting at least an hour after drinking a cup of coffee to take supplements for better nutrient absorption. Below, details the five supplements you should avoid consuming with coffee: 1. Vitamin D Regularly taking a Vitamin D supplement can help improve bone health, muscles and immune health and studies have also shown that it can reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease . However, experts say that drinking caffeine can reduce the production of Vitamin D receptors cells. This can hinder the body's ability to absorb the vitamin from supplements and food. As of 2024, about 42 percent of American suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. Low Vitamin D can lead to a loss of bone density, which can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures (broken bones) as well as muscle pain and weakness. Dr Elise Kim, a New York-based pharmacist, told Eating Well : 'Research suggests that caffeine may reduce the expression of Vitamin D receptors, which can lower vitamin D levels.' While more research is needed to discover why coffee affects cell receptors, a 2021 International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research found initial links between high caffeine intake and low circulating levels of vitamin D in the blood. Dr Ngo suggests taking Vitamin D supplements with a meal that includes healthy fats to help improve absorption. 2. Calcium Similarly to Vitamin D supplements, calcium supplements also help improve bone, heart, brain and cell health, protecting against cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. But due to the diuretic effect of caffeine, drinking coffee can interfere with how the body absorbs calcium from supplements by increasing the amount of calcium the kidneys eliminate through urine. This can lower calcium absorption in the body as most of it would be removed from the body instead of being reabsorbed by the kidneys, as evidenced by a 2012 Nutrition study. Adding milk to your coffee may help offset calcium loss and spacing out calcium supplements two hours after your coffee help support better absorption, Dr Kim suggested. A low calcium level, also known as hypocalcemia, can lead to a variety of health problems including muscle cramps, numbness or tingling, fatigue and bone problems like osteoporosis. In severe cases, it can also lead to seizures, heart problems and even breathing difficulties. 3. Iron The primary use of iron supplements is to treat or prevent iron-deficiency anemia, a condition where the body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body due to insufficient iron. Additionally, it is also prescribed to reduce fatigue, improve hair health, increase athletic performance and boost immunity. Iron is also crucial for brain function and taking supplements can enhance concentration, memory, and overall cognitive performance in those with low iron. However, doctors claim that caffeine and tannins in coffee present in the body after drinking a cup can bind to iron in supplement capsules, making it harder for the body to absorb the mineral. A 2023 American Journal of Hematology study found taking iron supplements after drinking coffee reduced body absorption by 54 percent. Dr Bo Wang, an internal medicine physician at the US Department of Veteran Affairs, told Eating Well : 'Having coffee with an iron supplement or fortified cereal may make your body absorb less iron. 'Over time, a heavy caffeine habit could potentially impact bone and mineral health.' To ensure maximum absorption, Dr Wang advised taking supplements with vitamin C-rich foods, such as lemons and oranges rather than coffee. 4. Magnesium Magnesium is a necessary mineral the body requires for the proper growth and maintenance of bones, nerve and muscle function, blood sugar management, blood pressure regulation and sleep quality. Those suffering from migraine headaches, Type 2 diabetes, low bone density, cardiovascular disease and sleep problems are usually advised to take magnesium supplements. But similarly to calcium, Dr Kim explained: 'Caffeine can increase calcium and magnesium loss through urine.' Caffeine can negatively impact magnesium absorption by increasing its excretion through urine, potentially leading to lower magnesium levels. Additionally, coffee contains tannins and phytates, both compounds that can bind to minerals like magnesium and hinder its absorption in the digestive tract. 5. B Vitamins Water-soluble B vitamins including B1, B2, B7, B9 and B12 play crucial roles in various bodily functions and are often taken as supplements to address deficiencies or support overall health. All of these vitamins are also essential for energy production, nerve function, cell growth, and red blood cell formation. However, the diuretic effects of caffeine can potentially cause problems with absorption of certain B vitamins as it can flush out the vitamin from the body through urine.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
5 Supplements That Don't Mix Well with Coffee, According to Pharmacists
Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-GarciaKey Points Coffee may reduce the absorption of iron, calcium, magnesium and some vitamins. Wait at least 1 hour after coffee to take supplements for better nutrient uptake. Not everyone needs supplements—talk to your provider before adding them to your you're the kind of person who can't start their day without a cup (or two) of coffee, you're not alone. Coffee is a staple morning ritual—whether it's sipped alongside breakfast, before a workout or first thing after waking up, that morning brew helps us feel energized and ready for the day. But if you also take vitamins or minerals as part of your morning routine, it's worth knowing how coffee might influence how your body absorbs those nutrients. Caffeine, polyphenols and coffee's mild diuretic effect can interfere with how your body uses certain vitamins and minerals. "For instance, iron absorption can be slowed by caffeine and caffeine can impact certain nutrients via its diuretic properties," says Philip Ngo, Pharm.D. We spoke with pharmacists to understand how coffee can impact nutrient absorption—and what you can do to get the most from your supplements. 1. Iron Iron is essential for growth, hormone production and cellular function. And it's a common nutrient deficiency, so your healthcare provider may have suggested supplementing. "Having coffee with an iron supplement or fortified cereal may make your body absorb less iron," notes Bo Wang, M.D., Pharm.D. "Over time, a heavy caffeine habit could potentially impact bone and mineral health." One study found that drinking coffee with iron reduced absorption by 54%. Pairing it with breakfast further lowered absorption. This interaction isn't about the caffeine—it's due to chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol in coffee and tea. "This compound is a strong inhibitor of non-heme iron absorption (the type found in plant foods and supplements)," adds Elise Kim, Pharm.D., BCACP, CDCES, AHSCP-CHC. Researchers believe that the polyphenols may impact the way our gut absorbs iron. Wang recommends separating iron from coffee by at least one hour and pairing it with vitamin C-rich foods, such as lemons and oranges, to enhance absorption. 2. Vitamin D Vitamin D is a nutrient that is hard to get through diet alone, since it's not naturally found in many foods. However, our bodies can also make vitamin D from sunshine. "Research suggests that caffeine may reduce the expression of vitamin D receptors, which can lower vitamin D levels," says Kim. "However, its clinical impact is still being studied." A 2021 study linked higher caffeine intake with lower circulating levels of vitamin D, though more research is needed. To get the most from your supplement, consider spacing it at least an hour away from your coffee, Ngo suggests. And since vitamin D is fat-soluble, taking it with a meal that includes healthy fats can help improve absorption. 3. B Vitamins This group of water-soluble vitamins—including B1, B2, B7, B9 and B12—supports energy production, nerve function and red blood cell formation. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water, and our bodies cannot store a lot of excess at one time. "As B vitamins are water-soluble, caffeine's mild diuretic effect can increase how much your body excretes, especially with higher caffeine intake," says Kim. Studies show that people who drink coffee tend to have lower levels of circulating B vitamins, likely due to urinary losses. 'Avoid taking supplements with coffee or tea," advises Wang. "Wait an hour if you can. Water-soluble vitamins (C, Bs) are fine with or without food, but may go down easier after a meal." 4. Magnesium Magnesium is an important mineral that plays a role in protein synthesis, blood sugar management, blood pressure regulation and sleep quality. While it's found in foods like beans, nuts and yogurt, many people don't get enough from diet alone. "Caffeine can increase calcium and magnesium loss through urine," notes Kim. If you're taking magnesium as part of a nighttime routine—a common supplement to help you sleep better—it's best to avoid caffeine close to bedtime. Not only can caffeine interfere with sleep, but it may also reduce magnesium's effectiveness in promoting deeper rest. 5. Calcium Just like magnesium, calcium may be impacted by coffee's diuretic effects. "Calcium absorption may be reduced by caffeine, but the clinical impact remains unclear," says Kim. A study showed that participants who consumed caffeine had 77% more calcium excreted by their kidneys compared to a placebo group. Adding milk to your coffee may help offset calcium loss, and spacing out calcium supplements at least one hour after your coffee—or two hours before—can help support better absorption, suggests Kim. Our Expert Take Coffee can influence how your body absorbs certain nutrients, but simple timing tweaks can help. Spacing out your supplements from coffee by an hour can support better absorption. If you occasionally forget and take them together, you'll still likely absorb some nutrients. And in spite of what you may see being pushed by wellness influencers, not everyone needs supplements. "Supplements are just that—to supplement," says Ngo. "For a person in good general health who consumes a balanced diet, it may not be worth investing in supplements unless you are truly deficient." Chatting with a health care provider and lab testing can help determine what's best for you. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
