Why Does Coffee Make You Poop
Caffeinated coffee may increase the amount of acid your stomach produces and your colon movements, and it can lead to a laxative effect in some people, per a June 2017 review in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.
The amount of time it takes you to have a bowel movement after drinking coffee depends on your body. When caffeine enters your system, it gets your intestinal muscles moving. This advances the contents of your intestines through your digestive system in a process called peristalsis.
“Caffeine acts as a hyper-mobility agent, meaning it promotes the movement of the gastrointestinal tract,” says Lisa Ganjhu, DO, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health.
Coffee’s hot temperature can even aid in bowel movements. “Warm fluid is one of the stimulants that helps with bowel movements,” says Dr. Ganjhu. “Some people can increase their bowel movements with just a warm glass of water. For other people, the caffeine really helps things move along as well.”
Warm fluids loosen the contents of your intestines and can also stimulate your entire digestive system, similar to if you started up an engine. As peristalsis continues, you’ll eventually feel the urge to have a bowel movement.
It’s less clear what the role of caffeine is in individuals who have irritable bowel syndrome , an intestinal disorder that can cause pain, gas, diarrhea and constipation.
Is Pooping After Coffee Good Or Bad
Pooping after coffee can be good or bad, depending on your body and your circumstances. There are times when a post-coffee bowel movement can be positive, and other times when its not good or even dangerous.
Pooping after drinking coffee is good when:
- You need help maintaining regularity drinking coffee can help you make sure youre making a bowel movement every day
- Youre feeling a little constipated coffee can help get things moving without needing to use a stool softener or harsh chemical laxative
- You need to go before a big event coffee can help you make sure you go before running that marathon, preventing any pit stops
Thankfully, pooping after coffee can often be a good thing. However, there are some situations where a coffee-induced bathroom break is not ideal.
Coffee making you poop is not ideal when:
- You have serious digestive disorders like IBS that already affect your bowel movements
- Youre expecting coffee to help you poop, but your body doesnt react well to coffee
If you begin to depend on coffee to make you poop, that can be unhealthy. At this point, you may want to include more fiber and hydration in your diet.
Milk Or Cream May Promote Bowel Movements
Freshly brewed coffee is naturally free of additives and preservatives.
However, over two-thirds of Americans stir in milk, cream, sweeteners, sugar or other additives .
In particular, milk and cream may promote bowel movements, as they contain lactose. Close to 65% of people worldwide cannot digest lactose properly .
People who are lactose intolerant experience symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps or diarrhea soon after consuming dairy.
This means lactose can trigger the urge to poop in people with lactose intolerance .
Summary Coffee that contains milk or cream may trigger digestive issues in people with lactose intolerance. This may increase gut activity and stimulate the urge to poop.
Also Check: Are Grinds Coffee Pouches Safe
Your Meds Could Be A Cause
Fact. Some drugs for pain, depression, high blood pressure, and Parkinson’s disease are linked to constipation. Tell your doctor whatâs going on. You may be able to take something else. Calcium and iron supplements, especially if you also take something else that affects your stool, can also cause problems.
Coffee For Fewer Poop Problems
Luckily you can pick a coffee thats less likely to give you a sudden overwhelming urge to go to the bathroom. If coffee gives you the urge topoop, youll want to choose your coffee carefully so you can avoid discomfort.
Look for coffee thats easy on your digestive system. Remember, coffee sends many signals to your digestive tract. It alters hormone levels that signal to your colon that its time to move. It can also boost stomach acid production, which can make things move a little too much.
Coffee served at a cooler temperature may not create the same poop problems as a piping hot cup.
Youll also want to ensure that your coffee has a low acid content. The acidity of coffee varies, but some coffee is made in a way that reduces acid. Low acid coffee makes a cup of joe easier on your stomach .
We recommend trying our gold-standard Original Gold Coffee to start. Its one of our bestsellers for a reason: it tastes fantastic, and its kind to your GI tract. We aim to give you beans without the burn.
Also Check: Cool Brew Original Caffeine Content
Do Tea And Energy Drinks Provide The Same Effect
Both coffee and tea act as natural laxatives but when it comes down to energy drinks, they dontshow such effect.
All of these drinks contain caffeine but the reason that the energy drinks dont increase the urgency or frequency is that caffeine isnt the main contributor to this effect. Also, the energy drink lacksacidic components and cant trigger gastrocolic reflux like coffee.
The following table will help you in better understanding the contrasting features of the drinks:
| Content |
| Present |
You can see that caffeine is present in all of these drinks but the rest ingredients differ. This difference in nutritional breakdown exhibits varying effects of each drink on the body.
Should You Rely On Coffee To Stay Regular
Drinking a moderate amount of coffee wont hurt you but depending too much on the drink to stay regular isnt appreciated.
Experts tend to suggest that adults above 18 can drink coffee for both better endurance and to stay regular. Its a healthy way if youre having coffee in moderate cups. But the concern here lies in the metabolism of different bodies.
Fast metabolizers clear the caffeine faster from their system compared to slow metabolizers. As a result, slow metabolism leads people to the risk of high blood pressure and heart attack.
Also, a healthy individual should have a normal digestive system and shouldnt depend on a drink to release the bouts of constipation. Keeping the body dehydrated for a long period makes the stool hard to pass and this is why you need to aim for a larger volume of water intake.
Lack of proper fiber in the meals, too many processed foods, sugar, and also inadequate quantity of food may lead to bowel issues. The best way to keep yourself regular is to maintain fiber-enriched meals on your regular diet and drink at least two liters of water a day.
Coffee wont provide permanent relief to the condition if you arent adjusting your body to a healthier diet.
Read Also: Low Carb Cold Brew Coffee
Coffee For Weight Loss
Its not all bad news for coffee, especially when it comes to weight loss. You dont need to quit coffee if youre looking to lose weight. In fact, coffee can help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism with that bump in energy.
Studies have shown that caffeine doesnt just help you lose weight and reduce fat overall, though. Caffeine helps you maintain your weight, too.
Coconut Oil And Coffee
Coconut oil is an incredibly useful laxative and can enhance the laxative properties of coffee. Besides, it can also add a dash of flavor to plain black coffee.
Ingredients: Coconut oil, water, and coffee powder
Boost Your Immunity With Osha Root This Winter Season
Procedure: Prepare a mix of half a teaspoon of coconut oil and one teaspoon of coffee powder. Add some water to it to make a paste. Pour the hot water Into the cup containing the dough. The coffee is now ready to be taken.
You May Like: How Much Caffeine In Folgers K Cup
Tips For Reducing Bloating
If you’re experiencing bloating along with your coffee habit, there are ways to counteract that and reduce the bloat.
How do you get rid of coffee bloat? Drinking plenty of water between your cups of coffee is the best way to get rid of coffee bloat. Water will keep you hydrated and keep your body from retaining too much water, a key component of bloat.
What relieves bloating fast? To relieve bloating fast, take a brisk walk, have a bath, or eat something rich in potassium. Epsom salt, in particular, is known for helping you drop water weight, so add a few cups to your next bubble bath.
If you need more potassium, try bananas, avocadoes, or yams, for starters. Asparagus is also known to reduce bloat fast.
Here are a few additional ways to reduce bloating with coffee:
If your symptoms are bad, it may be time to talk to your nutritionist or a gastroenterologist to see what else may be going on. It may not even be about your coffee habit.
The good news is, while coffee wont stop your bloating, coffee doesnt cause bloating in everyone.
For many, coffee has an overall positive effect, even balancing healthy gut bacteria. Thats especially if youre choosing brands that are more gentle on your stomach.
What Kind Of Coffee Makes You Poop
Coffee rich in acidic beans tends to make you poop more and faster. So in case, youre trying to avoid the laxative effect, go for a darker roast of beans.
Darker beans contain less acid since many of their organic acids are burnt away in the longer roasting process having a higher temperature. This makes the acidic content in the dark roasted beans lower.
In case you want to skip the unusual bowel movements, try choosing a darker roast variety. This can also lessen your stomach issues while having the coffee.
Cold-brew is a wise choice since its way less acidic compared to the regular one as you dont need to heat the beans for making the coffee. Great for your tummy!
Recommended Reading: Dunkin Donuts Decaf Coffee Caffeine Content
Too Much Dairy Products
Shutterstock
Dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream can cause constipation when taken in excess. The lactose in dairy products has been found guilty of causing gas and bloating. Cheese often causes constipation in adults. A study conducted on Iranian children aged 1 to 13 observed that dairy products were the cause of their constipation. Nearly 80% of the children who eliminated cows milk and dairy products from their diet had more regular bowel movements. However, this does not mean that dairy products do not have any health benefits and should be eliminated completely. To avoid constipation, it is advisable to consume them in moderation as part of a high-fiber diet.
Can Drinking Alcohol Make You Poop
In a word yes. Drinking alcohol can irritate the intestinal lining, leading to pooping, often of a diarrhea-like nature. This effect may be worse if the alcohol beverages you drink are high in sugar or mixed with sugary juices or sodas. The sugar can be further stimulating to the bowels.
Your liver can only metabolize and process so much alcohol in an hours time. Therefore, if you drink to excess or drink heavily on a daily basis, alcohol can start to damage the intestinal lining.
This increases the likelihood a person will experience diarrhea .
Alcohol has the potential to interfere with many medications, whether theyre prescription or over-the-counter. Because the liver metabolizes both alcohol and many medications , drinking alcohol and taking medications could impact how effective medicines may be.
Also, some laxative medications contain alcohol, according to the . Adding more alcohol to the mix could also increase a persons intoxication level.
Additionally, alcohol can negatively interact with medications doctors prescribe to relieve heartburn or reduce constipation. These include:
Also Check: Will Verismo Pods Work In Nespresso
How Much Coffee Do You Need To Achieve The Um Desired Effect
Every person is different in terms of how they respond to coffee’s effects. There are many factors involved: your tolerance to caffeine, whether you have other conditions , what kind of coffee you drink, and so on.
However, up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults. That’s roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola, or two “energy shot” drinks. Keep in mind that the actual caffeine content in beverages varies widely, especially among energy drinks.
Drinking Coffee During Diarrhea
Bacteria, allergy, virus, infection, and illness may cause diarrhea. There are many signs of diarrhea and one of the main symptoms is bloating. In this condition, you cannot drink coffee. Drinking coffee when you have diarrhea can worsen your diarrhea. It means the risk of bloating will be improved. In addition, drinking coffee too much can cause severe bloating and acute or persistent diarrhea.
Don’t Miss: Starbucks Cold Brew Concentrate Pods Caffeine Content
What Is The Definition Of Constipation
Constipation is a common problem where people find it difficult to have bowel movements. Constipation medically is defined as less than three bowel movements per week. If a person has less than one bowel movement per week, they are considered to have severe constipation. Symptoms of bloating, gas, or pain passing bowel movements may accompany constipation.
Can Coffee And Orange Juice Cause Constipation
- #1 02-02-2001 08:29 AM by doctordeedgeCan Coffee and Orange Juice cause Constipation?Just checking to see if this bloating/constipating me.Thanks,
- 02-02-2001 09:04 AM by Angie ERe: Can Coffee and Orange Juice cause Constipation?Nope, coffee doesn’t constipate you…it actually does just the opposite. A withdrawal symptom from caffeine is constipation…however, if you add milk, cream, or half/half and you are lactose intolerant, that could cause bloating.I’m not sure about orange juice. I would highly doubt it however. It does have some fiber. Most fruit juices will cause diarrhea before constipation. When a child is sick with a stomach virus, the dr. advises against fruit juices due to the fact it makes diarrhea worse and can cause dehydration…Drinking lots of water does help constipation.Hope this helps!
- 02-02-2001 10:41 AM by UnregisteredRe: Can Coffee and Orange Juice cause Constipation?Hi David,Coffee and OJ usually have the effect of causing you to have BMs not constipation.moderator5
Recommended Reading: Decaf Latte Mcdonalds
Why Exactly Does Coffee Make You Poop
Amazingly enough, we actually dont know why coffee makes you poop. We know that coffee initiates what’s known as the “gastrocolic reflex“that’s when your stomach “wakes up” from the coffee and starts to contract. This continues all the way down from the stomach to the small intestine to the colon, where you will eventually have your bowel movement. The effect is the same in men and women.
There’s some thought that the acidity of coffee is what also helps to stimulate your bowels. Coffee, both decaf and caffeinated, contain chlorogenic acid, which triggers higher stomach acid levels and higher production of gastric acid. The overall acidity bump makes the stomach move its contents out more quickly than usual. But, once again, it’s not clear which of the hundreds of chemicals found in a cup of Joe are responsible for that boost. Lastly, we know there is a role in the actual beans and oils in coffee that helps you poop.
Why Coffee Can Cause Constipation And What To Do About It
While most people count on coffee for quick energy, many also rely on a morning cup of joe to get things going in the bathroom.
Video of the Day
“Coffee is a GI stimulant,” says Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, author of Smoothies & Juices: Prevention Healing Kitchen: 100+ Delicious Recipes for Optimal Wellness. “It increases gut motility, which means that it accelerates contractions that help move contents of the gastrointestinal tract forward and out of the body,” she says.
Still, for others, coffee can stunt your stool schedule. Yep, a daily brew can also block your bowel movements. If you get plenty of fiber, exercise and water, and you still experience unexplained constipation, your coffee might be the culprit.
Read on to learn how coffee can contribute to constipation and what you can do to manage it .
Warning
Talk to your doctor if you experience constipation that lasts more than a few days.
You May Like: Where Can I Buy Grinds Coffee Pouches
What Foods Trigger Constipation
Try A Squatting Position
Before modern toilets became popular, people generally defecated in a squatting position, and in many countries this is still the norm.
When you sit normally, your rectum lies on a curved angle above your anus, but when you squat, your hips move so that your rectum sits in a straight line up from the anus. This change in angle helps you to pass stool more easily.
A small 2010 study found that sitting in a squatting position while using the toilet helps reduce the amount of straining you need to do during a bowel movement.
Though there are specific toilet squatting products on the market, Freuman recommends just putting a stepping stool in front of your toilet or two yellow pages on each side under your feet. When going to the bathroom, you should place your feet up on the stool and lean slightly forward to achieve the squatting position.
You May Like: Best Price On Verismo Pods
Can Coffee Cause Diarrhea
Coffee can cause diarrhea for some people, usually because they’re drinking too much of it or they’re stirring in something that doesn’t agree with them.
If your poop is loose and watery and you have to go more than three times in a day, you have diarrhea. Drinking a cup of coffee probably won’t cause you to sprint to the bathroom, but too many cups in one day might give your stomach a gurgling feeling that indicates diarrhea is on its way.
When matter passes through your digestive system so quickly that your colon doesn’t have enough time to absorb the liquid from your stool, it can result in diarrhea, says Dr. Ganjhu.
Caffeine affects everyone differently, but it’s best to stick to moderate consumption of caffeinated products such as coffee to avoid bathroom woes like diarrhea. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration recommends no more than 400 milligrams per day, which is about four cups of coffee.
“If you’re drinking a lot of coffee and having a lot of bowel movements, I would say to cut back a bit,” Dr. Ganjhu recommends.
If you need to reduce your caffeine intake, do so gradually. Stopping suddenly can cause symptoms like headaches, anxiety and nervousness, per the FDA.
Also keep in mind that you may be getting caffeine from other sources, such as tea, chocolate, medicine or plants such as guarana.
Similarly, many people experience diarrhea as a result of fructose or even artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol and mannitol, per the Mayo Clinic.
Related Reading