Introduction
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Not only do many enjoy the taste but it can help with energy levels. However, many report that it triggers an urgent trip to the toilet/need to poop.
Is it healthy for coffee to make you poop?
It’s common for bowel movements to be more frequent after drinking coffee, and this is because caffeine is a natural stimulant. How much of an impact this has, varies from person to person.
Caffeine also causes stomach cramps and bloating in some people, so if these are symptoms of your IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), then to help reduce IBS symptoms, caffeine may need to be limited.
Studies have shown that long-term coffee consumption can actually decrease the risk of developing IBS. [Source: PubMed]. However, this can relate to coffee intake reducing the risk of IBS developing, but if IBS is already present, then coffee may increase or worsen IBS symptoms.
Why do I poop a lot after drinking coffee?
If you have chronic constipation or slow-moving bowels, then drinking coffee might help get things moving. But if your colon moves too quickly for comfort (or at all), then you could end up with diarrhoea.
Caffeine can also cause bloating in some people because it stimulates the stomach lining and increases intestinal contractions. This can lead to bloating, cramping or pain when trying to pass stool.
The main pharmacologically active substance in coffee is caffeine.
This can impact the digestion by:
- increasing gastric acid secretion
- relaxing smooth muscles by increasing gastrin concentration
- stimulate the secretion of hydrochloric acid [Source: PubMed]
Is caffeine a natural laxative?
Caffeine is a natural stimulant, which means that it increases the activity of the bowels. It can cause you to go to the toilet more often, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
If you have constipation, coffee can help, however, it won’t address the underlying issue in the gut.
The caffeine in coffee stimulates the motor function within the gut. This is where the muscles are activated, leading to bowel contractions and a bowel movement. [Source: PubMed]
Coffee can make your gut more sensitive
If you’re one of the millions of people who have a sensitive gut and are trying to figure out why coffee makes them poop. The following symptoms may appear to increase alongside coffee or caffeine intake:
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating and gas (flatulence)
- Cramps or pain in the abdomen or lower back area
Also Read: Can Coffee Cause Bloating?
How do I empty my bowels?
If you’re looking to empty your bowels and poop, there are a few things you can do. First and foremost, make sure you’re eating enough fibre in your diet. This will help speed up the process and keep things moving along smoothly.
Also, drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help to support bowel motility and fluid balance in the large intestine. Coffee and caffeine intake can also support the need to go to the toilet.
Certain foods such as flaxseeds and kiwifruit can also provide gut-friendly fibre to support bowel movements. These are also generally very safe if IBS is present as they rarely increase gas or bloating.
If these initial aspects do not help, other considerations include:
Caffeine affects your gut bacteria
Various studies have shown improvements in the balance of the gut microbiome with the intake of coffee.
This may be linked to the antioxidant and polyphenol content of coffee which can support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria such as species of Bifidobacteria and Bacteroides. [Source: PubMed, PubMed]
Should I stop drinking coffee if it gives me diarrhoea?
If coffee is triggering urgent bowel movement (poop) this can be normal.
However, if symptoms are extreme and accompanied by bloating and discomfort, this may be a sign to reduce the amount or cut it out altogether.
Is coffee good for IBS?
Coffee has been shown to reduce the risk of developing IBS. This may be due to the way coffee supports the balance of the gut microbiome and its anti-inflammatory effects on the gut lining. [Source: PubMed]
However, if IBS is already present the gut may be very sensitive to coffee (as well as caffeine from tea) which can trigger symptoms or the urgent need to poop.
Rather than cutting coffee out altogether, we find that many with IBS symptoms can tolerate coffee once the underlying imbalance in the gut is addressed.
Conclusion
Coffee is a great drink, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. But if you’re having digestive issues after drinking coffee it can be worth switching to decaf or tea instead; both offer plenty of health benefits without causing diarrhoea.
In addition, working to support the balance of the gut and symptoms of IBS to improve tolerance to coffee and caffeine. This is where working with a registered Nutritional Therapist can be a crucial part of the process.
