Doctor shares surprising tongue symptom that means you should 'avoid drinking coffee'

For many, the ritual of a morning coffee is non-negotiable for starting the day right.

However, a medical professional warned a particular sign on your tongue could indicate you're better off without your caffeine fix. "Do you know if you should be drinking coffee?" Dr Anis Khalaf asked his 457,000 TikTok followers (@acupuncturefit).

He suggests a simple self-check that anyone can do at home. The doctor said: "If you want to know the answer, you're gonna wanna stick out your tongue. You can go to a mirror and do a small test to find out. If you have a lot of cracks in your tongue with a thick yellow coating, you probably shouldn't be drinking coffee."

According to Dr Khalaf, such symptoms may suggest an 'imbalance in the body', which coffee could exacerbate. While he didn't delve into extensive explanation, he mentioned what's termed as 'yin deficiency' in traditional Chinese medicine.

He elaborated: "This is a yin deficiency with heat and dampness which basically means a fluid or cold deficiency with heat taking over."

For those puzzled by what a 'yin deficiency' entails, Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a GP with The UK Care Guide, clarified it as an internal imbalance where the body's 'nourishing aspects' are lacking, potentially causing restlessness, palpitations, and other distressing symptoms.

The expert pointed out that while coffee is a 'inherently warming' stimulant and can indeed exacerbate symptoms, it's not always the culprit behind a yellow tongue. "In my experience, a thick yellow coating on the tongue generally indicates an imbalance in the body's digestive system rather than a specific aversion to coffee," he explained.

He noted: "This coating can be attributed to a range of factors such as poor oral hygiene, dehydration, or the presence of bacteria and yeast. While coffee itself isn't usually the direct cause, it can exacerbate the conditions that lead to such a coating.

"Coffee is acidic and can alter the pH balance within the mouth, which may contribute to the proliferation of bacteria and yeast, potentially leading to a yellow coating."

He also highlighted other signs that coffee might be affecting your health negatively.

Common issues like stomach discomfort and acid reflux are often associated with coffee consumption due to its effect on stomach acid production. He concluded: "Also, frequent headaches or migraines can sometimes be linked to excessive coffee intake, especially if one is consuming high quantities throughout the day."

For those worried about their tongue's colour or texture, seeking advice from a GP is recommended.