FOOD NEWS
Here's Why Coffee Might Make You Poop
By Kimberley Laws
If your bowel movements seem to occur more readily after a cup of Joe, you’re not alone, as many coffee drinkers experience the exact same thing. Gastroenterologist Dr. Sameer Islam tells Men’s Health that while no one knows exactly why coffee creates bowel movements, it is known that it makes one’s stomach contract, and this contraction spreads down to your colon to create some serious bowel action.
According to CNN, coffee — caffeinated or not — encourages an increase in gastrin, a hormone that allows the human body to create stomach acid. Dr. Islam notes that the chlorogenic acid found in coffee also increases the amount of acid in the stomach, which empties itself faster in response.
Additionally, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Jerlyn Jones told CNN that compounds called melanoidins, which are produced when coffee is roasted, are high in fiber and substantially aid in the prevention of constipation. In fact, a study from the National Research Council in Madrid provided evidence that brewed java has the same soluble fibers found in “oatmeal and apples.”
Another important factor is whether or not people are drinking their coffee black and unsweetened, as Health points out that adding milk or cream can trigger a colon clean-out due to lactose intolerance. The site also says that some artificial sweeteners people add to their coffee can have scary side effects like diarrhea, and these elements can alter the impact coffee has on your digestive system.