Does your morning routine look like this – peaking up the blinds, meditation for five minutes, gulping down a cup of coffee, and bam – a trip to the loo? Then you are not the only one! Coffee perks up your mornings in more ways than one. It bolsters your energy levels and gets things moving down in your gut. Yes! For the unversed, the caffeinated jolt helps you poop (in the morning or at any time of the day)! Now the question is – why does coffee make you poop? Does this happen to everyone? We bring you the answers!
This post will elaborate on the reasons for coffee making you poop and also delve into those cases wherein a caffeine shot is not good enough for you. We will also suggest some remedies to help you establish a better poop routine. Scroll down for the details –
Table of Contents
Why does coffee make you poop?
There are multiple reasons why that shot of coffee sends you rushing to the lavatory every single time –
It stimulates the production of gastrin hormone (gastrocolic reflex)
A narrative review published by Nutrients states that caffeine content in coffee increases gastrointestinal hormones (motilin, gastrin, cholecystokinin) production. This directly affects the motility of the digestive system, which assists in muscle contractions.
Additionally, cholecystokinin enhances bile production in the small intestine, further pushing through the waste down the intestines. Thus, on the whole – coffee stimulates gastrin production, which further enhances the motility process (digestion) and leads to easy defecation.
In this case, you must also note that the gastrocolic acid reflex is the maximum during the mornings (which is why your morning coffee leads you to the loo immediately, while your afternoon shot might not exhibit the same effect).
Starts contractions in your colon
Added to the point mentioned above is another reason why does coffee make you poop. That is, coffee reactivates your colon every morning! Your morning coffee, kickstarts gut contractions, medically referred to as – peristalsis. This assists in moving both food and liquid through the intestines almost immediately (it starts working within 4 minutes of you downing a cup). By the time the stool moves towards the rectum, the rest of your body activates.
Note: Apart from the general reasons mentioned here, recently, an old phenomenon referred to as the Mariko Aoki experience (after the Japanese lady who first experienced it back in 1985) has added to the speculations. This phenomenon delves into the ‘laxative’ effects of coffee, wherein every time you are around a bookstore/cafeteria, it is the familiar smell of coffee that sends you running to the restroom! Further research is being carried out on this topic at the time of writing this article.
Does the type of coffee you drink matter?
Though this differs from case to case, generally speaking, the ‘type’ of coffee you drink could affect your pooping urges. Let us break down the specifics for you –
You have understood from the explanations made above about why does coffee make you poop that it is the ‘caffeine’ that stimulates your gut. So, the ‘regular coffee’, which has 80-100 mg of caffeine (as per FDA standards), increases the movement of stool and increases the urge to poop. But a 2022 review showed that ‘decaf’, which has negligible or no caffeine, can also assist you in pooping.
Similarly, when preparing iced coffee, the brew extracted is concentrated in nature. This can directly influence your colon contractions, increasing your trips to the loo! Topping it all, if you are lactose intolerant, but enjoy your cuppa with a dash of dairy creamer, then that ‘dairy product’ adversely affects your digestive system and gets you running to the bathroom(65% of people have a problem digesting lactose)!
Therefore, the type of coffee indeed affects your poop routine considerably.
Does coffee help you poop in constipation?
Assuming that you have been reading this post well, you have understood the science behind why does coffee make you poop. Now, this conversation naturally hinges on – whether coffee is helpful for people suffering from constipation. Given caffeine’s effects (whichever form of coffee you choose) on the gastrocolic reflex, coffee can ease your constipation issues once in a while.
But if you are someone suffering from chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), then the effects are limited. To deal with such gut issues, you need to –
- Improve the fiber content in your meals, or add fiber supplements to your diet
- Try to bring in a regularity in your bowel movements by following a schedule. This implies having dinner at the same time and keeping track of your circadian rhythm.
- Exercise regularly and keep yourself hydrated
- Add probiotics to your regular diet
- Consult with your medical practitioner and try OTC stool softener/laxative
You must remember that coffee is a beverage that is best used to boost your energy levels rather than treat it as a medication.
What if coffee does not make you poop?
Are you one of those who might enjoy their warm liquids but not need to use the restroom soon after? Well, you are not the only one! There are many people on whom coffee does not have similar laxative effects. There is nothing to worry about!
The reason is that every human body’s sensitivity levels are different. In this case, your body is not sensitive enough or accustomed to similarly reacting to caffeine.
However, there might be certain inherent conditions like – chronic constipation, disorders in the pelvic floor, celiac disease, diabetes, and other issues. If there are other symptoms apart from coffee – leading – to – pooping science, then it is best that you visit the doctor for clarity.
Disadvantages of drinking too much coffee
Since you have better clarity about how and why does coffee make you poop, you might want to drink up more coffee than usual. That’s a mistake you must steer clear of! Yes, coffee does come with a certain amount of laxative effects (for most people), but too much of it can leave you feeling –
- Dehydrated (thanks to coffee’s diuretic properties)
- Perforation or rectal burn
- Diarrhea or bloody stool
- Cramps in the anal region or lower abdomen
Considering these negative effects, it is better to stick to the limit of up to 400 mg of caffeine for adults per day (as per the Mayo Clinic).
The bottom line
We all love to kickstart our mornings with dollops of energy. And coffee is an excellent stimulator – both for your gut and mood! The reason why does coffee make you poop is due to its function to improve the colon motility. Additionally, it enhances your dopamine levels, helping your brain jumpstart its regular activities. So whether you pick the ‘high caffeine’ drink or opt for a ‘decaf’, the effects are more or less the same on most individuals. The only thing to remember is – too much of nothing is good, and therefore, you must note your limits.
If you enjoyed reading this post, and want more of such health tips and tricks then keep an eye on this website.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does it take for coffee to make you poop?
The caffeine kicks in at the peak within 45 minutes of your coffee intake (according to studies). Having said that, for some people, the effect might kick in within 4-10 minutes.
2. How do you deal with the diuretic effects of coffee?
Contrary to people’s claims of coffee’s laxative properties, in some cases, it acts as a diuretic. This implies that it makes people urinate more, thereby leading to dehydration. If your body reacts like that, then you need to reduce your caffeine consumption rate and replace it with other alternatives (fruit juices, plant-based drinks).
3. How can you stop pooping while having coffee?
There is no specific way to stop pooping while having coffee, simply because your body is attuned in that way. However, you can tone down the brew’s concentration, shift to a decaf version, and remove the dairy add-ons to your coffee (for those with lactose intolerance). Also, avoid drinking coffee right in the morning since that stimulates your gut more.
4. Do energy drinks have the same effect on your body?
No. It is specifically coffee that brings on the urge to dump. Also, the amount of caffeine varies in energy drinks, and hence, the effects are reduced to the bare minimum.
5. Can you rely on coffee for pooping?
As per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases survey, close to 16% of the adults in the USA depend on coffee to ease their constipation. So, it can be a temporary respite, but one must look for alternatives to alleviate their constipation issue.
Monalisa Mukherjee is a content writer, copywriter and editor with 4 years of experience. She has written for websites like Biography Talk, The Rich Net Worth, Contour Cafe, He And She Fitness and Fiction Pad. She is currently associated with a noted Digital Marketing Agency and specialises in writing press release, guest posts, articles on travel, entertainment, food recipes, celebs, lifestyle, tech, health, and fashion.
