Why Does Coffee Make You Poop?
For many coffee drinkers a regular occurance happens post brew.
According to studies, around 29% of people a good cup of coffee will have us ready for a good sit down on the porcelain throne!
This means we might opt to have a cup of coffee preceding having a shower, or getting dressed in the mornings and it isn’t just for that baseline caffeinated state.
Whilst scientists are yet to confirm the exact reason coffee causes us to empty the chambers, it may surprise you to learn that this laxative effect isn’t solely linked to the caffeine itself, but it is likely that it causes the bowels to shift for a number of reasons.
One of which is that coffee’s chemical makeup affects the hormones which stimulate the colon muscles.
Within minutes of drinking coffee, the body releases the likes of gastrin and cholecystokinin – two hormones which trigger the gastrocolic reflex.
This reflex stimulates the bowels, whilst increasing peristalsis of the rectum and colon, as well as a lesser effect on the small intestine.
The gut activation might have the same effect as a big meal, making you feel the need to well.. poop!
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There are a few other culprits in the cup too. Simply imbibing a warm drink can get the digestive tract going.
Even warm water will stimulate movement in the intestines.
That being said, some may feel the urge to get to the bowl with coffee, but not with tea.
Coffee has a whole heap of chemical compounds in it, some of which make the drink fairly acidic. This acidity can irritate your stomach, stimulating the production of gastric acid.
Gastric acid levels should be monitored if drinking too much coffee is leading to diarrhoea, or irritation.
Lowering the amount of coffee consumed, swapping a cup for decaf might be a good idea. The more acidic a coffee, the greater the effect.
Other Than Coffee Itself, What Will Make Me Poop?
The things that we most commonly add to a coffee for taste, such as milk, or artificial sweeteners can negate some of the benefits coffee provides, whilst increasing the calories.
Those with lactose intolerance, whose bodies don’t produce the enzymes which break down the sugar in milk known as lactose can experience bloating, gas, flatulence, abdominal pain and the runs.
If milky coffee is making you bring bum to seat frequently, you may not be as lactose tolerant as you think.
Some people will find that certain artificial sweeteners can negatively affect the digestive tract and get things shifting.
Those which contain sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, erythritol (found in stevia), xylitol and mannitol are known to cause flatulence, digestive issues and bloating in some folks.
If you’re finding coffee is making you go when you don’t want to and use sweeteners, try drinking coffee without the sweeteners and see if you gain more control of your bowels again.
Will Coffee Make Me Poop More If I Have Certain Health Issues?
As mentioned previously, those with lactose intolerance might find they need to go to the toilet sooner than expected if milk is added it the coffee, but other health issues might come into play in the coffee = toilet equation.
Some people suffering from IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome might find that the added acid to their stomach can have them stuck in the bathroom for an extended period of time, on the other hand, some IBS patients are constipation-predominant and coffee may have little effect.
Some people who suffer from diarrhoea, heartburn, gastritis or stomach ulcers. or GERD may find coffee will worsen their problems.
This may be largely due to the acidity. Whilst there are coffee beans with lower levels of acid, it might be wise to ask your GP if you are experiencing discomfort.
Does Coffee Make Everyone Need To Go?
Although it’s a fairly common reaction, coffee doesn’t make everyone need to poo.
We still don’t know why it affects some people and not others, either due to such a wide range of different chemicals being involved with the drink.
Why Does Coffee Make You Poop but Not High Caffeine Containing Drinks such as Energy Drinks?
Whilst caffeine certainly has some effect on your digestive system, it isn’t the only compound found in coffee which stimulates you involved.
Something in the coffee beans themselves such as the oils will trigger a bowel movement.
Is Pooping After Coffee A Good Thing, Or A Bad Thing?
Depending on your circumstances and health conditions, going to the toilet after coffee can be good, or bad.
Maintaining regularity can be incredibly important to some people, so if coffee makes them poop, they can use this to their advantage.
Similarly, coffee can be a bit more pleasant than taking a stool softener or chemical laxative to get things moving.
If you have a big sporting event, going on a long journey or taking part in other activities where toilet breaks aren’t part of the agenda, a coffee-induced throne sit might be a great solution.
Drinking coffee to help you poop may not be so ideal when you have some of the previously mentioned heath concerns, or if you are expecting to poop but your body doesn’t react so well to it.
It’s unwise to regularly rely on coffee to stimulate the poop-chute.
Staying hydrated whilst having a fibre-rich diet with a good amount of fruit and veg is a much more healthy solution.
Finally, a study in 2018 showed that after surgery the bowels weren’t overly interested in “waking up”, so patients who drank coffee may have found themselves experiencing nausea, constipation and general discomfort.
The study revealed that coffee consumption didn’t improve post-surgery bowel movement.
Do Certain Coffees Make You Poop More?
Warm and acidic coffee will typically cause you to poop more, as the gastrocolic reaction will usually be larger.
Will Decaf Coffee Make Me Poop?
If regular coffee has you doing “the business”, it’s likely that decaf will have a similar effect. A small study conducted in 1998 from the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that decaff can also get the motor running.
When coffee producers removed the caffeine from their blends, consumers were still needing a good sit down.
This is likely down to the a number of chemicals linked to increasing peristalsis found in the oils of coffee beans.
However, the caffeine will be likely to have you do more of “the business”, sooner, but this may be linked to coffee’s acidity levels.
According to the 1998 study, caffeinated coffee stimulated the colon 60% more than water and 23% more than decaf.
This meant that a caffeinated coffee was the same as eating a 1,000 kcal meal.
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How Fast Does Coffee Make You Poop?
The peak concentration of caffeine in the blood will typically occur 45 minutes after consuming a coffee, but depending on a myriad of factors including metabolism, it can be as quick as 10 minutes for some people.
It’s best to plan ahead and keep close to a toilet if you’ve been guzzling the Joe and you know it has that certain effect!
How Do I use Coffee as a Laxative
If you are about to run a marathon, compete in the Cambridge/Oxford boat race or are about to embark on a cross-country coach trip, you might want to unload some surplus baggage.
Again, it’s worth noting that not everyone’s body has the same response.
If you are a daily coffee drinker, you may also find that you have a fairly high caffeine tolerance and a cup won’t give you that one way ticket to Poopsville like it did when you first enjoyed it.
To use it as a laxative, however should be fairly straightforward, if you know it to cause you to clamour for the bowl. Simply put – drink it.
Not too much though. Around 400 mg of caffeine per day is safe enough for most healthy adults, which is about the same amount found in four cups of the brewed stuff, two of those nasty “energy shot” beverages or 8 cans of Pepsi (find out how much caffeine is in Pepsi compared to coffee).
Different beans and brands of coffee will have different levels of caffeine within them, so it is best to keep track if you’re finding coffee drinking isn’t doing you too many favours.
Should I stop drinking coffee if it makes me poop?
Coffee is a natural laxative and can stimulate bowel movements, which is why it can cause you to have a bowel movement after drinking it.
However, this does not necessarily mean that you should stop drinking coffee altogether if it makes you poop.
It is important to note that bowel movements are a normal and healthy part of digestion, and having regular bowel movements is important for overall digestive health.
Additionally, coffee has many potential health benefits, including improving mental alertness and reducing the risk of certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and liver disease.
If you find that drinking coffee causes discomfort or disrupts your daily routine, you may want to consider reducing your caffeine intake or adjusting the timing of when you drink coffee.
You could also try switching to a different type of coffee, as some people find that certain roasts or brands are easier on their digestive system.
Ultimately, whether or not you should stop drinking coffee if it makes you poop is a personal decision that should be based on how it affects your overall health and wellbeing. If you have concerns, you should speak with your healthcare provider.