Navigating the perks and pitfalls of your morning coffee ritual
Coffee is a popular choice to start the day. However, doctors warn against excessive consumption, as it can lead to frequent trips to the bathroom.
If you find yourself visiting the bathroom frequently after drinking coffee, it's worth understanding why this happens and how to prevent it. Both coffee and tea contain caffeine, which has a diuretic effect and stimulates the digestive system. For some people, this can result in unpleasant issues like diarrhea.
Why do you rush to the bathroom after coffee?
Dr. Hussain Ahmad, a physician from the UK, explained in an interview with LADbible that many individuals feel the urge to visit the bathroom after drinking coffee. This effect also applies to decaffeinated coffee, which acts in a similar way to regular coffee.
He explained that consuming coffee may lead to more frequent trips to the bathroom, as caffeine stimulates the colon and accelerates the digestive process.
Dr. Kenneth Brown from Texas confirmed these observations, adding that coffee can be both a blessing and a curse. Caffeine is an effective remedy for constipation, but for some individuals, it can lead to diarrhea.
Additionally, it can increase the production of stomach acid, leading to heartburn or acid reflux, which may be uncomfortable or even painful, according to Dr. Brown.
The reason for coffee's effect lies in chlorogenic acids and N-alkonoyl-5-hydroxytryptamides, which naturally occur in coffee and act as laxatives. These compounds increase water content in the colon and cause colon muscle contractions.
How to avoid problems after coffee?
Experts suggest several ways to avoid frequent bathroom visits after drinking coffee. Dr. Ahmad recommends avoiding coffee on an empty stomach or trying different coffee varieties.
Dr. Brown proposes four other methods:
- drinking smaller amounts of coffee at a time, which can help reduce the amount of caffeine and other digestive-disrupting ingredients,
- drinking coffee at different times of the day, as it stimulates the gastrocolic reflex in the morning,
- experimenting with brewing methods, such as cold brew or French press coffee, which may be gentler on the stomach,
- avoiding adding too much cream or sugar, which can upset the stomach, especially with irritable bowel syndrome.
