Is It Allowed to Drink Coffee With Multivitamins? This Is The Explanation of A Lecturer At The Faculty of Medicine, IPB University

Optimal body health is not only determined by what we consume, but also when we consume it. The combination of coffee and multivitamins at the wrong time can reduce the effectiveness of nutrient absorption in the body.

IPB University Faculty of Medicine lecturer, who is also a specialist in clinical pharmacology, Dr Trisni Untari Dewi, SpFK, reminds the public about the interaction between coffee and multivitamins.

“Coffee is a caffeinated drink that stimulates the central nervous system and increases alertness.” However, she said, unwise coffee consumption can actually interfere with the absorption of other important vitamins and minerals.

Furthermore, Dr Trisni explained that coffee contains caffeine and tannins. These two compounds can affect the absorption of certain nutrients. 

“Tannin compounds contained in coffee can form complexes with iron, reducing its absorption in the intestine,” she explained. 

As for caffeine, Dr Trisni explained, it can reduce calcium absorption in the intestines and increase calcium excretion through urine, which poses a risk to bone health if consumption is high and not balanced with adequate calcium intake.

“Not only that, caffeine is also proven to increase the excretion of water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C as well as vitamins B1 and B6. If consumed together, the benefits of multivitamins can be reduced,” he explained.

To avoid this negative interaction, Dr Trisni suggests that coffee consumption be given a time lag of about 1-2 hours after consuming multivitamins or foods containing iron and calcium.

“For example, if you have breakfast at 7am and take vitamins at that time, then coffee can be drunk around 9am,” she said.

She also added that maintaining adequate water intake after drinking coffee is highly recommended to maintain good health. (dr) (IAAS/PRP)