Coffee is known to be a great energy booster, but it can also have an effect on your digestive system. When you drink a cup of coffee, it stimulates the body to release the hormones gastrin and cholecystokinin. These hormones trigger the gastrocolic reflex, which causes your body to defecate. Studies have shown that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee can activate contractions in the colon and intestinal muscles, leading to an urge to defecate.
A review published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology indicated that caffeinated coffee might increase acid production in the stomach and movements in the colon in some people. It is generally safe to consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, which is approximately four cups of coffee. However, everyone's reaction to coffee is different, so there is no specific amount that will stimulate bowel movements for everyone. It's not just the caffeine in coffee beans that causes you to defecate; there are other compounds present as well.
A 1990 study published in the journal Gut found that 29 percent of respondents said coffee induced the desire to defecate, with most of them being women. This suggests that there is something about coffee beans and oils that allows you to defecate with them. Coffee also contains chlorogenic acid, which causes higher levels of stomach acid and increased gastric acid production. A 1998 study found that caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and a 1,000 kilocalorie (kcal) meal caused more colonic contractions than water alone.
This suggests that caffeine contributes to the laxative effect of coffee, but does not explain it in its entirety. So, if you're looking for a way to get your morning started with a jolt of energy and a trip to the bathroom, then coffee may be just what you need! Although everyone's reaction to coffee is different, it can be a great way to get your digestive system moving.
