Love a cup of coffee in the morning? You are among the majority. More than half of the adult population in the western world drink coffee. Drinking coffee gives you many health benefits. However, drinking too much can cause some unwanted effects including constipation.
Hard to believe?
Believe it or not, coffee can cause constipation.
I will explain the link between coffee and constipation. The main active ingredient of the coffee is caffeine. A cup of coffee may contain up to 100 mg of caffeine. The caffeine is a stimulant. It stimulates various parts of the body including, the brain, heart, and bowels.
Stimulation of the bowels should cause increased bowel movements. That means coffee should cause diarrhoea rather than constipation.
That is true. Drinking coffee can make loose bowel movements. Many people witness that.
However, drinking 5 or 6 cups of coffee with milk can have the opposite effect. It can cause hard stools. There are two reasons for that.
One, caffeine has a diuretic effect. That means it will make you pass more urine. You will lose more water from the body. You will be dehydrated. It will make your stools hard and dry.
The second reason is, milk can cause constipation. I will discuss this issue in a separate article.
How to enjoy coffee without getting constipation
- Drink a moderate amount of coffee. Drinking 2 or 3 cups won’t cause any problems.
- Try without adding milk.
- You can add non-dairy creamer if you like the taste and flavour.
- Decaffeinated coffee has fewer side effects.
- Drink plenty of water and other non-dehydrating beverages.
- Eat fibre-rich foods.
Bottom line:
Coffee is a popular beverage. It is a healthy drink. It gives you many health benefits. Studies have proven that coffee can boost energy levels, can help lose weight, and can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
You don’t need to avoid drinking coffee due to the fear of getting constipation or diarrhoea. Actually, drinking the right amount of coffee can regulate your bowel movements.