Why Coffee Makes Some People Poop and Others Constipated: The Science Behind Caffeine’s Gut Effects
“Every time I drink coffee, I have to run to the bathroom within half an hour—it’s like my body has an alarm clock.” “I drink two cups of coffee every day, but I often feel bloated and constipated. Sometimes I even wonder if I should just give up coffee.” On October 16, the hashtag “The first batch of coffee lovers has fallen victim” started trending online. Netizens shared their very different gut reactions to coffee—some experience diarrhea, while others get constipated. Caffeine’s Dual Effect: It Can Both Relieve and Cause Constipation Why can the same cup of coffee produce two completely opposite effects? According to Cui Jun, Chief Dietitian at Beijing Electric Power Hospital, coffee’s impact on digestion is the result of multiple factors—mainly caffeine stimulation and acidic compounds. Caffeine stimulates stomach acid secretion and speeds up intestinal movement. A single intake of 100 mg of caffeine (roughly one espresso) can increase intestinal motility by nearly 3...