Do you rush to the toilet after coffee?
Coffee and caffeine can boost digestion, but they can also boost constipation. So, you need to be careful!
If after a morning cup of coffee you suddenly feel the urge to urinate, your body reacts in a completely natural way. Sure, it can be a little uncomfortable if you’re on the go, but this sudden need is the way your body reacts to caffeine and warm liquid, and perhaps the ingredients you’ve mixed into it. This is not necessarily a problem in itself, but it can be a problem if you have diarrhea. Here’s everything you need to know about why coffee encourages you to urinate and what to do if it causes abdominal pain.
Why does coffee make you feel great?
Caffeinated coffee can increase the amount of acid produced by your stomach and your colon movements, and can lead to a laxative effect in some people, according to a review in the World Journal of Gastroenterology. The amount of time you need to urinate after drinking coffee depends on your body. When caffeine enters your system, it activates your intestinal muscles.
"Caffeine acts as a hypermobility agent, which means it stimulates the movement of the gastrointestinal tract," said a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health.
Can coffee cause diarrhea?
Coffee can cause diarrhea in some people, usually because they drink too much or mix it with something that doesn’t go well. If your stool is soft and watery and you have to go more than three times a day, you have diarrhea. Drinking a cup of coffee probably won’t make you rush to the bathroom, but too many cups in one day could cause a gargle in your stomach indicating that diarrhea is on the way. When the substance passes through your digestive system so quickly that your colon does not have enough time to absorb fluid from the stool, it can result in diarrhea.
Can coffee help with constipation?
In some situations, caffeine can actually alleviate or prevent constipation. Remember that constipation refers to less than three bowel movements per week, although how often a person performs it varies greatly. The longer you need to empty your bowels, the heavier the stool will be. You may notice that your stool is dry and hard, or that bowel movement are painful or difficult.
In addition to acting as a diuretic, caffeine also causes your colon to contract. If you ingest caffeine through coffee, warm coffee liquid can also help soften the painfully hardened stools that are characteristic of constipation. However, caffeine intake can have side effects, such as anxiety. If you have constipation due to stress, caffeine could make the situation worse. A healthy approach to constipation treatment is to eat more fiber-rich foods, such as vegetables and legumes, and include more physical activity in your day.
Can Caffeine Cause Constipation?
Surprisingly, yes. Caffeine can sometimes help with constipation, but in other cases, coffee can actually cause constipation. The same goes for energy drinks, caffeine tablets and other caffeinated substances. Since caffeine is a diuretic, it can have dehydrating effects, which means it encourages you to urinate a lot of fluid, which then doesn’t go into the colon to soften the stool. Dry, hardened stools that result from dehydration can cause constipation. You can usually avoid this side effect by being well hydrated. That means drinking at least eight cups of water a day and eating foods rich in water like fruits and vegetables.
