Caffeine: Friend Or Foe To Your Gut?

Coffee is well-known for its ability to stimulate the bowels, with 29% of coffee drinkers reporting a desire to defecate after drinking coffee. This effect can occur very quickly, sometimes within just four minutes of consumption. While caffeine is a stimulant that can activate contractions in the colon and intestinal muscles, it is not the only compound responsible for this effect. Coffee contains acids that boost levels of the hormone gastrin, which stimulates involuntary muscle contractions in the stomach and gets the bowels moving. Coffee has also been shown to increase the release of cholecystokinin, another hormone that plays a key role in the digestive process.

Coffee stimulates colon contractions

Coffee contains acids that boost levels of the hormone gastrin, which stimulates involuntary muscle contractions in the stomach to get the bowels moving. Coffee also increases the release of cholecystokinin, another hormone that plays a key role in the digestive process.

Decaf coffee can also make you poop, indicating that other compounds or factors are responsible. Chlorogenic acids and N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamides are both compounds of interest, as they can stimulate the production of stomach acid, which helps churn food and move it quickly through the gut.

The act of drinking can also make the colon more active, as it triggers the gastrocolic reflex, which is the same reflex that activates the colon after a meal. Additionally, the bowels are twice as active when you first wake up, so they're primed and ready to go.

Coffee increases the release of cholecystokinin

Research has shown that drinking coffee increases plasma CCK concentrations. A study by Douglas et al. found that plasma CCK concentrations rose by 3.3 +/- 0.4 pmol/L after 400 mL of regular coffee and 2.8 +/- 0.9 pmol/L after 165 mL of regular coffee, compared to 1.8 +/- 0.6 pmol/L after 165 mL of decaffeinated coffee. These increments in plasma CCK were greater than those observed after consuming the same amounts of a sodium chloride solution.

The release of CCK is linked to the gastrocolic reflex, which is a wave of movement that propels food through the gut to make room for new food. Coffee stimulates the gastrocolic reflex, which can lead to an increased urge to defecate. This is why coffee is often associated with an increased need to use the bathroom.

Additionally, CCK is involved in gallbladder contraction. The study by Douglas et al. also observed an average gallbladder contraction of 33 +/- 7% after 165 mL of regular coffee and 29 +/- 10% after the same amount of decaffeinated coffee. This indicates that both regular and decaffeinated coffee can lead to increments in CCK and contractions of the gallbladder.

In summary, coffee increases the release of CCK, which has various effects on the digestive system, including stimulating the release of digestive enzymes and bile, and contracting the gallbladder. These effects contribute to the increased urge to defecate that many people experience after consuming coffee.

Coffee stimulates the release of gastrin

A study found that drinking regular or decaf coffee raised gastrin levels by 2.3 and 1.7 times, respectively, compared to drinking water. Another study found that coffee drinkers were 29% more likely to need to use the bathroom within 20 minutes of drinking a cup of coffee.

Coffee affects gut hormones

Coffee stimulates the increase in production of several gut hormones, including gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK). These hormones are involved in a response called the gastrocolic reflex, which stimulates contractions in your gut and moves food toward your rectum for removal.

Coffee can increase levels of the hormone gastrin, which stimulates involuntary muscle contractions in your stomach to get your bowels moving. One study found that drinking regular or decaf coffee raised gastrin levels by 2.3 and 1.7 times, respectively, compared to drinking water.

Coffee may also raise levels of the digestive hormone cholecystokinin (CCK). Not only can this hormone increase the movement of food through the colon, but it is also linked to the gastrocolic reflex, which makes the colon more active.

In addition to its effects on gut hormones, coffee also contains acids that have been shown to boost levels of gastrin. These acids can also stimulate the production of stomach acid, which helps churn food and move it quickly through the gut.

While caffeine is thought to be a factor in coffee's laxative effect, it is not the only compound responsible. Decaf coffee has also been shown to trigger bowel movements, indicating that other factors are at play.

Coffee and lactose intolerance

Coffee is well-known for its ability to stimulate the bowels and act as a laxative. While this effect is often attributed to the caffeine content, decaffeinated coffee also has a laxative effect, indicating that other compounds are at play.

One of these compounds is lactose, which is found in milk and cream. Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency in the enzyme lactase, which is produced in the small intestine. Lactase breaks down lactose into simpler forms of sugar that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. When people with lactose intolerance consume dairy, they may experience severe intestinal distress, including gas, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea.

The addition of milk or cream to coffee can therefore trigger digestive issues in people with lactose intolerance. Lactose can affect the intestinal tract and colon transit time, stimulating the urge to have a bowel movement. This is especially true for those who are already lactose intolerant, as the combination of caffeine and lactose can exacerbate the symptoms of lactose intolerance.

However, it is important to note that coffee itself, even without the addition of milk or cream, can also stimulate the digestive system. Coffee contains acids that boost levels of the hormone gastrin, which stimulates involuntary muscle contractions in the stomach and gets the bowels moving. Additionally, coffee increases the release of cholecystokinin, another hormone that plays a key role in the digestive process.

So, while lactose intolerance can certainly contribute to digestive issues when consuming coffee with milk or cream, the coffee itself also plays a significant role in stimulating the urge to have a bowel movement, regardless of lactose content.

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