Do you run to the washroom after sipping coffee? You might be wondering why this happens to you. But relax; it’s a common encounter among many coffee lovers. People who visit a toilet after drinking coffee keep blaming the beverage forgetting its refreshing and stimulating effects. However, can drinking coffee cause diarrhea? Let’s substantiate myths and facts in the following discussion if this is what you have been asking yourself.
Does Coffee Cause Diarrhea?
Drinking coffee, many people who experience side effects believe it’s the culprit that makes them run to the toilet. But is it the real cause of diarrhea? According to experts, its chemical components that are responsible for triggering body reactions.
Some potent chemicals that can trigger pooping or diarrhea are caffeine, Chlorogenic acids and N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamides. Also, coffee drink additives can cause you to run into the washroom.
Why Does Coffee Cause Diarrhea?
Caffeine is the main chemical in coffee that causes body stimulation. Also,caffeine can make you rush to the toilet after consuming coffee. It causes an accelerated urge to poop because the chemical is a laxative.
The laxative effects of caffeine trigger accelerated bowel movements, leading to diarrhea. It can also lead to increased cramping, which might lead to the need to poop.
Drinking coffee in moderation is recommended to avoid extreme adverse effects. The recommended caffeine per day is 400mg for adults. Exceeding the daily limit can cause your body to overreact, leading to frequent pooping.
Drinking high-acid coffee is also linked to causing chances of watery poop. The acidity level differs depending on the coffee origin and production process. Coffee from East African countries is known to be a bit high in acidity. Therefore, drinking it while you have acidity problems can trigger some reactions like diarrhea and others.
Although caffeine can contribute to triggering Diarrhea, in most cases, people who experience it might be suffering from other conditions. Some common ones include irritable bowel syndrome and bacterial and other infections.
When you have IBS, there is a likelihood of an aggravated reaction once you drink coffee. Since diarrhea is one of the symptoms of IBS, caffeine in coffee can worsen the situation. The laxative effects of coffee can increase the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
If you have been wondering whether coffee can affect irritable bowel syndrome, you should know it will affect the condition. Drinking coffee while having the condition can cause aggravation.
What Else in Coffee Can Cause Diarrhea?
Caffeine alone isn’t the only component in coffee that can trigger watery stool. Other compounds can also trigger diarrhea. The presence of Chlorogenic acid and N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamine also can make you rush to the toilet.
Apart from the chemicals mentioned in this article, coffee has other compounds that can also probably trigger watery stool. There are at least 1000 chemicals which means even if caffeine won’t cause any reaction, another compound probably can.
Although some people think coffee is the main cause of diarrhea and other side effects, it’s not always the case. Additives also can be why you get watery poop after drinking coffee. Some people are intolerant to Milk and other dairy products. Once they consume coffee-based beverages like cappuccinos, Café Latte and others, they can experience loose poop.
The lactose in dairy milk is known to cause various reactions in many people who can’t digest it. Diarrhea is the main symptom people experience when they drink cow milk. If you drink a milk-based drink with shots of espresso, you can assume the diarrhea is due to caffeine, but in reality, it’s the milk causing it.
Some sweeteners that people add to their coffee are known to cause bowel problems. Most of the sweeteners that cause stomach problems are artificial ones. Whether you are talking of saccharin, stevia, aspartame and cyclamate can cause loose poop and other effects on coffee drinkers.
Can Decaf Coffee Cause Diarrhea?
After drinking regular coffee and getting diarrhea, people switch to decaf coffee. However, does decaf solve the problem? In some cases, the problem reduces, and in other people, the problem doesn’t disappear.
The decaffeination process only filters large caffeine molecules. Considering other present chemicals, they can be why drinking decaf coffee doesn’t solve your diarrhea problem.
Why do I have diarrhea after coffee every morning?
Waking up and having a cup of coffee is hectic for some drinkers. They must experience stomach upset followed by watery stool. But, does coffee cause watery stools? The answer is yes and no.
Coffee can cause watery stools if you drink large amounts exceeding daily caffeine limits. Also, drinking coffee on an empty stomach can lead to diarrhea due to instantaneous large dose caffeine absorption.
Coffee doesn’t always cause watery stools. The sudden watery stool should raise concerns if you have never experienced diarrhea after drinking coffee. It might be due to other factors like stomach infections.
How to Prevent Diarrhea from Coffee?
If drinking coffee causes a nightmare, all isn’t lost. You can still enjoy it after taking some precautionary and preventive measures. These are tips to try to avoid diarrhea after a cup of coffee.
Drink coffee in moderation
Drinking excess coffee is one of the reasons you have loose poop. The daily caffeine recommended is 400mg; thus, exceeding this will lead to problems. Lower your coffee consumption to see whether it will stop the diarrhea problem.
Avoid drinking coffee on an empty stomach
If drinking coffee before breakfast proves problematic, taking it after or with a meal is advisable. The advantage of drinking coffee after eating is that the body will absorb caffeine and other compounds slowly. This reduces the effects on your gastrointestinal walls too.
Switch to decaf coffee
Apart from reducing the amount of coffee, trying decaf coffee is also advisable. Since caffeine accelerates diarrhea, cutting the amount ingested will help mitigate the effects.
Check what you are adding to your coffee
Checking what you add to your coffee is important. Of course, adding milk or any other additive that will cause a mess in your body is not wise. If you suspect any additive is causing unwanted reactions, churn it and enjoy your coffee minus it.
Final Words
Can drinking coffee cause Diarrhea? If this has been ringing in your mind, it’s conclusive that drinking coffee can cause diarrhea. However, other causes can cause the condition, while coffee only exacerbates it. Therefore, if you experience sudden diarrhea after drinking coffee, it’s best to see a doctor to ensure no other underlying issue.
FAQs
Can caffeine cause diarrhea?
Yes, Caffeine is a laxative and can cause diarrhea by increasing gastrointestinal activity.
Can I drink coffee if I have diarrhea?
No, when you have diarrhea, quitting caffeine is recommended until the condition is over.
Should I stop drinking coffee if it gives me diarrhea?
If drinking coffee is causing diarrhea, the best option is to stop drinking. Also, if you have diarrhea, it’s good to stop drinking.
