Coffee is a stimulant that can help perk you up in the morning or provide a much-needed energy boost during the day. But, coffee can also have some not-so-pleasant side effects, like causing diarrhea.
Coffee contains caffeine, which is a natural diuretic. This means that it can speed up the movement of food and water through your intestines, leading to diarrhea. In addition, coffee is an acidic stimulant and can irritate the lining of your stomach. This can also lead to diarrhea.
Here are a few tips to help you prevent diarrhea from coffee.
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1. Don’t Drink Coffee On An Empty Stomach
Coffee on an empty stomach can exacerbate the effects of the caffeine and make you more likely to experience diarrhea. Try to have a light snack before drinking coffee, or drink it with breakfast.
2. Drink in Moderation
Coffee is a strong diuretic, so it’s recommended to drink it in moderation to have a less laxative effect. If you drink too much coffee, you may end up dehydrated, which can cause or aggravate diarrhea.
A good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to two cups of coffee per day. If you’re particularly sensitive to the effects of caffeine, you may want to limit yourself to just one cup.
3. Choose a Milder Roast
Coffee beans that have been roasted for a longer period of time tend to be less acidic than those that have been roasted for a shorter period of time. So, if you’re prone to stomach irritation, you may want to opt for a milder (long period) roast.
4. Choose Decaffeine Coffee
If you find that you’re particularly sensitive to the effects of coffee, you may want to switch to decaffeinated coffee. Decaffeinated coffee has most of the caffeine removed, so it’s less likely to cause diarrhea.
5. Stick to Plain Coffee
If there is no diarrhea when you drink plain coffee, but diarrhea appears when you add other substances (such as milk, cream, flavored syrups, sugar, or artificial sweeteners) to coffee, it is more likely that these substances are the cause of your diarrhea. Therefore, you’d better try avoiding these substances.
Don’t Add Milk or Cream
Adding milk to your coffee can help neutralize some of the acidity and make it easier on your stomach. However, if you’re lactose intolerant, it can lead to diarrhea as dairy is hard to digest for you.
So, if you’re going to add milk, make sure it’s lactose-free. You can also choose plant-based milk such as oatmeal milk or almond milk as a dairy-free alternative.
Give Up Sugar or Artificial Sweeteners
Coffee is often paired with sugar or artificial sweeteners, both of which can contribute to diarrhea. If you must sweeten your coffee, use a natural sweetener like honey instead.
6. Drink Your Coffee With Food
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can irritate your stomach and cause diarrhea. So, it’s best to drink your coffee with food.
Eating a light breakfast or snack with your coffee can help slow down the absorption of caffeine and make it easier on your stomach.
7. Add Some Fiber to Your Diet
Eating foods that are high in fiber can help bulk up your stool and make it easier to pass. This can help reduce the symptoms of diarrhea.
Some high-fiber foods include:
- fruits and vegetables
- whole grains
- beans and legumes
- nuts and seeds
Adding fiber to your diet can also help you avoid constipation, which can be a common problem for coffee drinkers.
8. Avoid Spicy Foods
Pairing coffee with spicy foods can irritate your stomach and cause diarrhea. So, it’s best to avoid eating spicy foods if you’re trying to prevent coffee-related diarrhea.
9. Take a Probiotic Supplement
Probiotics are live bacteria that are good for your gut health. Taking a probiotic supplement can help increase the healthy bacteria in your gut, which can help reduce the symptoms of diarrhea.
10. Drink Plenty of Water
It’s important to stay hydrated when you’re drinking coffee. Caffeine is a diuretic, so it will make you urinate more frequently. This can lead to dehydration, which can worsen diarrhea.
Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. You may also want to consider drinking a cup of water for every cup of coffee you drink.
Final Thought
Drinking coffee can cause diarrhea in some people, but there are ways to prevent it. Don’t drink coffee on an empty stomach, drink less, choose a long-time roast, drink decaffeinated coffee, stick to plain coffee, add fiber to your diet, avoid spicy foods, take a probiotic supplement, and drink plenty of water.
Does having a bowel movement after drinking coffee bothers you that much? If so, try removing it if you can.
