How long after drinking coffee can I take vitamins?

In this brief guide, we will answer the question “how long after drinking coffee can I take vitamins?” with an in-depth analysis of how long after drinking coffee one can take vitamins. Moreover, we will also discuss what happens when you drink coffee immediately after taking vitamins and what is the best time to take vitamins.

How long after drinking coffee can I take vitamins?

Wait an hour after drinking your coffee to take supplements. The tannins and caffeine can interfere with the absorption of many vitamins and minerals, especially iron. Caffeine also increases urination, which can decrease the concentration of water-soluble vitamins B-complex and C. 

How long should you wait to drink coffee after taking vitamins?

You should wait for about an hour. There is evidence that coffee (and other caffeinated drinks) significantly hinders the absorption of iron and zinc. Because it is a diuretic (causing us to urinate more) we may excrete Vitamin C and B vitamins more rapidly if taken with coffee. It is thus wise to wait at least an hour between taking vitamins and coffee, whether you have vitamins first or coffee first.

Can you take vitamins with coffee?

Although you can take your multivitamin with any beverage you like, it isn’t always advisable. Some beverages, including coffee, contain substances that could interfere with the absorption of some of the nutrients in your vitamin. It’s better to drink your coffee about 15 minutes before or a few hours after you take your vitamin.

How does coffee affect the absorption of vitamins and nutrients?

The caffeine in coffee speeds up the digestive process by increasing the contractions that force food through the digestive tract. When the ingested multivitamin is moved more quickly through the digestive process, there will be less time for the small intestine to absorb the vitamins and minerals it contains, and some may pass through your body without being absorbed.

What is the best time to take a multivitamin?

You should take your multivitamins in the morning with a meal so you can ease absorption. However, if that causes stomach pain, try taking them in the afternoon before you go to bed. Remember, the most important thing is to make them a part of your daily routine.

What happens if you take a multivitamin on an empty stomach?

Taking vitamins on an empty stomach can frequently upset the GI tract. Many people experience stomach pains, nausea, and even diarrhea after taking multivitamins on an empty stomach.

Can multivitamins be taken at night?

Taking dietary supplements at night isn’t advisable. Digestion slows down during sleep, so taking your nutrient supplement late at night would not be associated with efficient absorption.

Can vitamins be taken at once?

One can take all the vitamin supplements at once but it’s probably not a good idea. For some supplements, optimal absorption can depend on the time of day taken. Not only that, taking certain vitamins, minerals, or other supplements together can also reduce the absorption and may result in adverse interactions, which can be harmful to your health.

Is vitamin C good before bed?

Studies have shown that individuals with greater concentrations of vitamin C have better sleep than those with reduced concentrations. Those who met their demands were also more resilient to the impacts of occasional sleepless evenings.

Other FAQs about Vitamins which you may be interested in.

Can out-of-date vitamins make you sick?

What vitamins should you not take together?

Here are six vitamin combinations you definitely shouldn’t take together.

  • Magnesium and calcium/multivitamin.
  • Vitamins D, E and K. 
  • Fish Oil & Ginkgo Biloba.
  • Copper and zinc.
  • Iron and Green tea. 
  • Vitamin C and B12.

What happens when you drink coffee with multivitamins?

Coffee interferes with the absorption of some nutrients and vitamins present in multivitamins.

Some of the vitamins and minerals that are affected by coffee intake are:

Calcium:

For every cup of coffee consumed, 5 mg of calcium is excreted in urine and feces. The loss can occur several hours after caffeine intake. Furthermore, coffee likely mitigates the absorption of calcium and depletes bones of calcium.

There is little evidence to suggest the detrimental effects of coffee on bone health in populations with adequate calcium intake. To date, results from observational studies that examined associations between coffee intakes and measures of bone mineral density (BMD) loss generally used to diagnose osteoporosis have been mixed.

Nevertheless, some research has demonstrated that at higher levels of consumption, caffeine in the form of coffee could impact osteoporosis.

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D plays a critical role in the absorption of calcium that is used to form bone. Caffeine acts as an inhibitor of vitamin D receptors, thus stymieing vitamin D absorption and possibly decreasing bone-mineral density, leading to osteoporosis.

Limiting coffee consumption to ≤3 cups/day while ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intakes should prevent any potential adverse effects on calcium absorption and bone health.

Iron:

Caffeine interferes with iron absorption, as phenolic compounds in coffee bind nonheme iron. This interaction could impact red blood cell production. When consumed with iron-rich foods, caffeine can decrease iron absorption by up to 80%. Any beverage containing caffeine should be separated from iron-containing foods or supplements by at least one hour.

Vitamin B complex:

Caffeine is a diuretic, which means that water-soluble vitamins, including B vitamins, are flushed out with increased urination. Furthermore, caffeine interferes with the metabolism of certain B vitamins, including thiamine. 

However, because caffeine increases stomach acid secretion, it boosts the absorption of vitamin B12.

Conclusion:

In this brief guide, we have answered the question “how long after drinking coffee can I take vitamins?” with an in-depth analysis of how long after drinking coffee one can take vitamins. Moreover, we have also discussed what happens when you drink coffee immediately after taking vitamins and what is the best time to take vitamins.

Citations:

https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/can-drink-coffee-taking-multivitamins-11992.html
https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/can-drink-coffee-taking-multivitamins-11992.html
https://www.coach.me/questions/50725-what-is-the-best-time-of-day-to-take-your-vitamins-does-drinking-coffee-in-the-morning-affect-when-you-should-take-them
https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/sports-nutrition/sports-supplements/caffeine/does-caffeine-affect-the-absorption-of-vitamins-and-minerals/

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