Ozempic And Coffee: 5 Results That You Have Not Heard Of  

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jitin Sondhi, HBSc, MD, CCFP(PC).

So you’ve started Ozempic, a once weekly injection. But you’re also a coffee lover. How does coffee now taste to you? What are the side effects of ozempic and coffee? 

Ozempic has become all the rage over Tik Tok as a weight loss drug for people. But it is first and foremost known as a medication for managing diabetes. 

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide.  So it makes sense that Ozempic and coffee go hand in hand.

Read on to see what the research says about Ozempic and coffee, their possible side effects, and what can happen when the two are mixed together. 

DISCLAIMER: This post was written by Justine Chan MHSc, RD, CDE.  All content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or nutritional advice. Always seek medical and dietary advice from your doctor or dietitian. 

How does ozempic work? 

Since you’ve started the Ozempic, you’re probably feeling less hungry and maybe a bit nauseous at times.  Maybe you’ve lost some weight. So how does Ozempic work? 

Ozempic is a once-weekly injection that helps to mimic one of the hormones in your gut called glucagon peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone is normally quickly broken down by the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 enzyme (DPP-4), so its effects on your body are short-term. 

You may also be familiar with Wegovy, which is the same as Ozempic, but available in a higher dose that’s approved for weight loss. 

So why does this matter? Since Ozempic helps to reduce the breakdown of GLP-1, this results in slower digestion and more insulin being released.  Ozempic also can help to prevent further damage to the pancreas (1).  

Less hunger means more weight loss, and we typically see an extra 6 to 10 pounds more with Ozempic compared to the placebo (1, 2). You also may have lower blood pressure and cholesterol, better blood flow and a lower risk of death and heart disease (1). 

And because this is a diabetes medication, you might even see as much as a 1% drop in your 3 month average blood sugar known as hemoglobin A1c (1).

So there are numerous benefits to Ozempic, but what about its side effects?

Side Effects Of Ozempic

Like any medication, there are side effects.  The most common ones that are experienced in 30 percent of people taking Ozempic are (2): 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

About 3 to 4 percent of people stop Ozempic because of gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea and constipation (2). 

For some people, taking it at night can help to lessen some of the side effects since you’re most likely settling down to sleep at this time, unless you’re a night owl.  Overall, you can take Ozempic at any time of the day, with or without food.

The first month tends to be the worst. The key to success? Try to stick it out for at least 4-5 weeks to allow your body to adjust to the medication.  If you’re taking insulin, you’ll likely need to reduce your dose as it may cause low blood sugars.

Are there foods to avoid while taking Ozempic? 

You’re probably thinking, are there any foods I need to avoid while on Ozempic? Here are a few tips to consider: 

• Limit fatty foods as these foods tend to slow down digestion and may make you feel worse.
• Eat small, frequent meals. This can help to relieve nausea, which is often triggered by an empty stomach.
• Limit carbonated beverages to prevent and manage bloating.  Sip plenty of fluids throughout the day to stay well hydrated.
• Try not to lie down after eating as this can trigger an upset stomach and acid reflux.

Benefits Of Coffee 

With coffee being one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, that beloved cup of java has a ton of health benefits. For more on low sugar coffee beverages, here is a post on Starbucks and the best creamers for diabetes.

Aside from increasing your alertness, perks of a low to moderate coffee intake also include:

• Potential for more body fat loss (3)
• Increases metabolism and may aid in weight loss (4)
• May lower risk of type 2 diabetes (5), Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease (6)
• May improve blood sugars over the long term, despite causing an initial spike (5) 
• Increases longevity and lower risk of dying (6)
• May provide pain relief (7)

Okay, so a moderate amount of coffee can be good for you.  But did you know there are components in coffee that may be beneficial?  For example, you’ll find 100 mg of polyphenols in a cup of coffee, which are a source of antioxidants and may also help to lower blood sugars (4).  

Also, your gut may absorb less sugar thanks to the chlorogenic acid (CGA) in coffee (6).

Side Effects Of Coffee

Aside from the mental perk we get, we also know that coffee can bring about some side effects. The most common ones are: 

• Heartburn 
• In at least one third of people, coffee can stimulate a bowel movement in as little as 4 minutes (5) 
• Insomnia
• Irritability 
• Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and irregular heartbeat (7)  

The effect of coffee is partly genetic, because some people have it longer in their system than others (7).

Wondering how much caffeine is okay? If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or are less than 18 years of age, you may be more prone to coffee’s harmful effects.

Health Canada advises a limit of 400mg per day for anyone 18 years of age and older, which is about 2-3 cups of coffee. Aim for less than 300mg of caffeine in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

What Happens When You Mix Ozempic And Coffee?

So we’ve covered the benefits and side effects of Ozempic and coffee.  What happens when you mix the two together? While everyone’s response will be different, here are a few possibilities:

• Your taste buds may have changed so you no longer crave coffee 
• You drink coffee but feel sick to your stomach
• You may drink less than usual because your stomach is too full
• Your blood sugars may be even lower 
• You may lose more weight 

There are no known interactions.  The truth is, because Ozempic may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, it may cause dehydration. So perhaps a low to moderate intake of coffee can play a role in helping you to stay hydrated (8). 

Key Takeaways: Ozempic And Coffee

So in summary, everybody’s response to ozempic and coffee is unique. You may or may not be turned off of coffee altogether.  If you are experiencing side effects, try to stick it out for at least 4 weeks and eat small, frequent, lower fat meals. 

Low to moderate amounts of coffee can help to keep you hydrated and may enhance the weight loss benefit from ozempic. 

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