Doctors Explain Why Coffee Makes You Need To Poo So Much

Coffee in the morning may be a true blessing. 

However, it might also make you feel the need to use the bathroom immediately.

Whether you prefer an espresso, americano, cappuccino, or flat white, these coffee options can be incredibly effective first thing in the morning, especially after a rough night's sleep.

They can also serve as your midday pick-me-up to help you get through the rest of the workday.

Coffee can have one undesirable effect Getty Images

But whether you drink it at 7 a.m. or 1 p.m., millions of people worldwide find themselves in a similar circumstance shortly after.

And that's using the bathroom. Yes, we're talking about needing to poo. 

For some people, it doesn’t have any physical effects at all. 

However, for those who are less fortunate, it can simply be a result of waking up.

There is a scientific explanation for this, though.

Why does coffee makes you need a poo?

In the UK, Dr Hussain Ahmad, who runs Click2Pharmacy, is a qualified hospital doctor and consultant.

In an interview with LADbible, Dr. Ahmad described the physiological alterations brought about by coffee use.

There is science behind why coffee makes you poo Getty Images

"Drinking coffee can make you need to go to the bathroom more often because the caffeine gets your colon moving, which speeds up how quickly waste moves through your system." Dr Ahmad said.

"Even decaffeinated can have this effect since it still contains acids and oils that can trigger your digestive system."

"That’s why a lot of people feel the urge to go after having coffee."

Dr. Kenneth Brown, a leading gastroenterologist from Plano, Texas, also discussed with LADbible how this issue affects people.

Dr. Brown, who hosts the Gut Check Project podcast, mentioned that caffeine can be beneficial for those who struggle with constipation.

Many people need the toilet after drinking coffee Getty Images

"However, it can also cause diarrhoea in some people," he says.

"Additionally, caffeine can increase the production of stomach acid, resulting in heartburn or acid reflux, which can be uncomfortable and even painful."

Dr Brown explained that coffee beans contain chlorogenic acid, which is a type of antioxidant.

"This compound can stimulate the muscles in the gut, which can trigger a bowel movement," he said.

"Furthermore, N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamides [a chemical closely related to the neurotransmitter serotonin] are naturally occurring compounds that act as laxatives. These compounds increase the water content in the colon and the contractions of the colonic muscles."

It's all in the beans Getty Images

"The combination of these compounds can cause a sudden urge to use the restroom in some people, but they also make a great natural remedy for constipation."

What can you do to limit coffee's impact on your guts?

If you have trouble with coffee affecting your digestive system, Dr Ahmad suggests that you should start by cutting back on your coffee consumption.

"Avoid having it on an empty stomach, or experiment with different kinds of coffee," he adds.

Dr. Brown has outlined four key steps that he believes can be very effective in addressing the issue if you need to manage it.

He said: "Try drinking smaller amounts of coffee at a time. This can help to reduce the amount of caffeine and other components in the coffee that may be causing digestive upset."

"Try drinking coffee at various times of day. In the morning, coffee will stimulate the gastro-colic reflex, where the hormones from the stomach tell the rectum to contract."

"Experiment with different brewing methods. Some people find that cold brew or French press coffee causes less stomach discomfort than regular drip coffee."

"Avoid adding too much cream or sugar to your coffee. These can be triggers for some people and contribute to stomach upset, especially if you have issues like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)."