When you’re sick, it’s so easy to reach for a hot cup of coffee — especially when you’ve been up all night with symptoms and need a shot of energy to power through the day. However, you might want to think twice.

Whether coffee helps or hurts depends on your symptoms, caffeine tolerance, and hydration levels. Here’s what to consider before brewing that cup when you're feeling under the weather.

What’s in Coffee, Anyways?

Coffee contains a variety of compounds, including caffeine (a stimulant that affects your nervous system), polyphenols (antioxidants that support overall health), and acids that can irritate the stomach. It also has diuretic properties, which can impact hydration. 

Are There Benefits of Drinking Coffee When Sick?

First, let’s look at the bright side — could coffee actually help you feel better? It can, but only when you drink it in moderation.

Some of the benefits of drinking coffee while sick include the following:

• Encourages Energy: Caffeine can help fight the fatigue that often comes with being sick, keeping you functional when you need it most.
• Relieves Headaches: If your illness comes with a pounding headache, coffee’s vasoconstrictive properties may temporarily help ease the pain.
• Provides Antioxidant Power: Coffee is packed with polyphenols, which can have immune-supporting benefits.
• Supports Mood: A warm cup of coffee can provide comfort and support a good mood, which is always helpful when you’re feeling miserable.
• Supports Digestion: If you’re dealing with mild congestion, warm coffee may help loosen mucus and soothe your throat.

Potential Drawbacks of Drinking Coffee While Sick

Of course, every rose has its thorns. While drinking coffee might help you feel better in some ways, it can also make you feel worse and hinder your recovery — especially if your cup is highly caffeinated.

The downsides of drinking coffee while sick include the following:

• Dehydration Risk:Coffee’s diuretic effects may worsen dehydration, especially if you have a fever or diarrhea.
• Stomach Irritation: The acidity in coffee can aggravate nausea, acid reflux, or digestive issues.
• Disrupted Sleep: Drinking coffee too late in the day can interfere with sleep, which is important for recovery.
• Increased Heart Rate: If your illness already has your heart working overtime, caffeine can add extra strain.
• Medication Interactions: Some cold and flu medications don’t mix well with caffeine, potentially increasing side effects like jitteriness or nausea.

5 Factors To Consider Before Drinking Coffee While Sick

If you’re thinking about brewing up a cup while you’re fighting something off, you might want to think again. Read on for five key things to consider before you hit “Brew.”

1. Type of Illness

The kind of sickness you have plays a huge role in whether coffee is a good idea. If you have a head cold, a warm cup of coffee might help clear congestion and boost your energy. 

However, if you’re dealing with the flu, stomach bug, or fever, coffee could make things worse by irritating your stomach or increasing dehydration. If you’re coughing a lot, coffee may also dry out your throat, making irritation worse. When in doubt, pay attention to how your body reacts and consider switching to a gentler alternative.

2. Caffeine Tolerance

Your usual coffee habits can determine how well you handle caffeine when you’re sick. If you’re a daily coffee drinker, skipping your morning cup could lead to withdrawal symptoms like headaches and fatigue, making you feel even worse. 

On the flip side, if you’re sensitive to caffeine, drinking coffee while sick could amplify symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or an upset stomach. If you’re unsure, try cutting back on caffeine gradually or switching to a lower-caffeine.

One option you could try is our Mushroom Coffee+. We might be a little biased (or maybe even a lot), but it’s for a good reason. We’ve put countless hours into developing a blend that has only the good stuff and shows actual results, and you could say we’re more than a little proud.

Our mushroom coffee is low on caffeine, containing only 45 mg of the stuff. After resetting our caffeine tolerance, this is the number that we’ve found to strike the best balance between “motivated” and “messy.” Plus, our blend features other health-supporting ingredients like lion’s mane, collagen, and L-theanine. It also contains chaga, which can help your body fight off sickness.

3. Time of Day

Drinking coffee too late in the day can interfere with sleep, and when you’re sick, quality rest is non-negotiable. Even if you usually tolerate afternoon caffeine, your body might be extra sensitive while fighting off an illness. 

If you’re going to drink coffee, try to keep it in the morning so it doesn’t disrupt your sleep cycle. Your body heals best when well-rested, and trading coffee for a soothing herbal tea in the evening can help you feel better ASAP.

4. Hydration Status

When you’re sick, staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to recover. Coffee can contribute to fluid loss if you’re not drinking enough water. 

If you’re already dehydrated from fever, vomiting, or sweating, coffee might not be the best choice. To counteract this, pair your coffee with a glass of water, and consider switching to a more hydrating beverage like herbal tea or coconut water if you’re feeling particularly dried out.

5. Medication Interactions

If you’re taking medication for your illness, be mindful of how coffee might interact with it. Some decongestants and pain relievers contain stimulants that, when combined with caffeine, can cause side effects.

Other medications, like antibiotics, may not absorb as effectively when taken with coffee. If you’re unsure, check the label or ask a pharmacist about any potential interactions. A little planning can prevent your coffee from making you feel worse instead of better.

What Else Can You Drink While Sick?

If you’ve decided to just forgo coffee until you’re feeling better, you don’t have to give up the ritual of enjoying a yummy drink. Here are a few options you can try until you’re ready to go back to your brew:

• Herbal Tea: Chamomile, ginger, and peppermint teas are gentle on the stomach and can help with nausea and congestion.
• Bone Broth: Packed with nutrients and electrolytes, bone broth is a great way to stay hydrated and support immune function.
• Honey-Lemon Water: This classic remedy soothes a sore throat and provides a dose of vitamin C.
• Electrolyte Drinks: Coconut water or electrolyte solutions help replenish fluids lost from fever or vomiting.
• Warm Water With Turmeric: Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties can help support your immune system and ease symptoms.

The Bottom Line

Coffee can be a double-edged sword when you’re sick — it has potential benefits but also some serious drawbacks depending on your symptoms and circumstances. If you choose to drink coffee, consider your illness type, caffeine tolerance, hydration levels, and medication interactions. 

No matter what your illness is, it can help to cut back on caffeine and give your body some breathing room to focus on healing. Try sipping on our mushroom blends over the next couple of days, and who knows? Maybe you’ll make it a permanent part of your everyday routine.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic Q and A: Decongestants can sometimes cause more harm than good | Mayo Clinic

Caffeine Withdrawal | StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

Caffeine: Is it dehydrating or not? | Mayo Clinic

The effect of daily caffeine use on cerebral blood flow: How much caffeine can we tolerate? | PubMed