After viral TikTok claims ‘cracks’ on the tongue means you shouldn’t drink coffee, we reveal the medical problems you can see by looking into the mouth

If you believe what you see on TikTok, it is surprising ‘proof’ that you should not drink coffee: strange cracks appear on the tongue.

In the clip, Dr. Anis Khalaf, a traditional Chinese medicine proponent from Florida, said that this, along with a thick yellow coating on the tongue, was a sign of a “yin deficiency” in the body – a body fluid ‘insufficiency’.

And according to Chinese medicine, coffee is considered an aggravator of this, as it interacts with people’s ‘fire element’, causing the body to dehydrate and heat up.

That’s why the classic morning pick-me-up should be avoided by people with low yin levels, claims Dr. Anis, who has almost half a million followers on the platform.

These aspects of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the parts of the tongue associated with certain organs, are on shaky scientific ground, at least in Western medicine.

Normally a healthy pink, changes in the color of the tongue can indicate a variety of potential health problems

However, there are some changes to the tongue — and signs you’re drinking too much coffee — that experts say you should look out for.

White tongue

Having a white tongue can be a sign of several conditions and while some are purely cosmetic, others may indicate a medical problem that needs to be treated.

The first is anemia, in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells, which can cause the tongue to take on a pale whitish appearance.

Another is lichen planus, a rash on the tongue that experts believe is caused by the body reacting to a viral infection or certain medications.

A similar-looking condition called leukoplakia may represent an abnormal growth of the tongue that could potentially progress to oral cancer.

Whitish spots on the tongue that disappear when you scrub them may be an indication of thrush, a fungal infection.

A white or yellow coating on the tongue can also be an early sign of the bacterial infection, scarlet fever.

Finally, a condition called geographic tongue, which is an irregularity in the way tongue tissue replaces itself, can cause white patches to appear.

The condition, which can run in families, is usually harmless, but can cause mild irritation.

Yellow or orange tongue

A yellow tongue is usually a sign that you need to improve your oral hygiene, as it is caused by bacteria growing in tiny food particles left on the organ.

Smoking and dehydration can increase the risk of this.

A yellow or white tongue can also be an early sign of scarlet fever and some parts of a geographic tongue may appear yellow.

Jaundice, a sign that the liver is not working properly, can give your skin, eyes, and tongue a yellowish tinge.

Poor oral health, certain medications, and eating too many foods rich in a natural orange compound called beta-carotene, such as carrots, can also give the tongue an orangey tinge.

A healthy tongue should be pink, with small bumps – or papillae – across the surface. However, a range of other colors can be a sign that someone is not feeling well

Red tongue

A bright red tongue can be a sign of several conditions.

Spots on the previously discussed and usually harmless geographic tongue can have a noticeably reddish tint.

Although the first signs of scarlet fever may be a whitish or yellowish tongue, as the infection progresses the tongue becomes red, swollen and bumpy, earning it the nickname “strawberry tongue.”

A red spot on the tongue can also be a sign of a condition called erythroplakia.

This is similar to white spot leukoplakia in that it potentially represents abnormal cells that could become cancerous.

A red tongue can also be a sign of Kawasaki disease, which causes blood vessels throughout the body to swell, a rare condition that only affects one in 25,000 children in Britain.

Having a red tongue can also be a sign of a folic acid deficiency, as it causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that cannot function properly.

Folic acid helps keep the body’s nervous system healthy and foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products and green vegetables are considered good sources of nutrition.

Gray tongue

Many of the same conditions that cause the tongue to turn a whitish color can also cause it to appear gray.

However, there are certain conditions that can specifically cause the organ to turn gray.

One of them is eczema. One study shows that people with this skin condition, which leads to dry and cracked skin due to a lack of moisture, are at risk of developing a grayish tongue.

Taking too many iron supplements, as well as a side effect of some medications, can also turn the tongue gray.

Black tongue

It is not surprising that a condition called black hairy tongue gives the tongue a dark tint.

Although dramatic, it is not as harmful as it sounds. The condition is caused by dead cells building up on the papillae, the small bumps on the surface of the tongue.

This traps food and bacteria, causing the organ to become alarmingly discolored.

It is mainly caused by poor oral hygiene, although smoking and alcohol consumption can also contribute to its development.

Purple tongue

A purple or bluish tongue can be a sign of poor circulation in the body.

In addition to a red tongue, some doctors also consider a purple tongue to be a sign of Kawasaki disease.

Green tongue

Similar to a yellow tongue, the appearance of a green tongue is the result of poor oral health, smoking, dry mouth or the use of certain medications.

Blue tongue

A blue tongue is generally considered a medical emergency because it is a sign that the body is having trouble getting enough oxygen.

It is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as turning blue of the skin or lips.

The lack of oxygen can be caused by numerous conditions, including sepsis, heart failure, or a dangerous blood clot.

People are advised to call 999 if their or someone they care for’s tongue or other parts of their body suddenly turns blue.

Have you ever wondered what exactly happens in your body after taking that first sip?

In his TikTok video, Dr. Khalaf, who has a degree in Oriental Medical Doctor and describes himself as a “candidate” to become a doctor of medicine, urged people to watch their tongues when wondering whether they should drink coffee.

“If you have a lot of cracks in your tongue with a thick yellow deposit, you probably shouldn’t drink coffee,” he said.

Continuing to dish out advice to his 457,000 followers, he added: “This is a yin deficiency with heat and moisture, which basically means a moisture or cold deficiency where heat takes over.”

Dr. Khalaf, who also advocates the benefits of homeopathy, an alternative medicine based on the power of dilution and for which there is no good evidence, has posted a disclaimer on his website about seeking medical advice based on traditional medicine.

‘This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to substitute for such advice or treatment from a personal physician,” it says.

‘All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their physicians or qualified health professionals regarding any specific health concerns.’

There are accepted signs that you may want to cut down on caffeine.

Dr. Duane Mellor, a dietitian at Aston University, said: ‘There have been no reported oral side effects of excessive coffee intake linked to caffeine.’

However, he added that known side effects of drinking too much coffee include “insomnia, irritability and anxiety in susceptible individuals, as well as heart rate variability.”

Dr. Mellor added: ‘Other side effects may include stomach upset and changes in bowel habits.’

According to NHS guidelines, around 400mg of caffeine per day is safe for adults, the equivalent of four regular cups.

Pregnant women are advised to consume about half of that, while the recommended limit for teenagers is about 100 mg.