Will Coffee or Tea Break your Fast?

Fasting is a practice that has been around for thousands of years and involves abstaining from food and/or drink for a set period of time. Fasting has been used for religious, spiritual, and health purposes, and there are many different types of fasts, each with its own set of guidelines and benefits.

When it comes to fasting, the type you choose to do and the guidelines you follow play a crucial role in its effectiveness. One of the most common questions people have about fasting is whether or not they can consume tea or coffee during their fast.

Tea and coffee are both considered low-calorie beverages and, for the most part, shouldn't significantly affect most fasting methods. However, it's important to note that during a water fast, you should only consume water, as anything else, including tea and coffee, would break the fast. Water fasting involves abstaining from all food and beverages except water for a set period of time, typically 24 to 72 hours.

On the other hand, intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating are two types of fasting that may allow for the consumption of low-calorie beverages like tea and coffee during the fasting period. Intermittent fasting involves alternating periods of eating and fasting, while time-restricted eating involves consuming all of your daily calories within a specific window of time each day.


It's essential to be careful with what you put in your tea or coffee if you decide to drink it during your fast. Depending on the particular rules you're adhering to, putting sugar, milk, or cream in your tea or coffee may cause you to violate your fast. While some fasting protocols forbid it, others do permit a small quantity of milk or cream in your coffee.

Caffeine may impact blood sugar levels and some people's capacity to maintain a fast, so it's essential to keep this in mind. It's always a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider or consult your fasting protocol's guidelines if you're uncertain whether a particular beverage will affect your fast.

In conclusion, while coffee and tea are generally considered low-calorie beverages and may be allowed during certain types of fasting, it's important to follow the specific guidelines of your chosen fasting method and be mindful of what you add to your beverage. If you're unsure about whether a specific food or beverage will impact your fast, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional or the guidelines of your fasting protocol to ensure that you're maximizing the benefits of your fast.
If you're looking for a tea that you can have while fasting or after fasting that combines all the key ingredients geared towards fasting, metabolism and gut health, take a moment to look at IF Tea's Intermittent Fasting Tea