Coffee doesn’t make everyone poop. However, if that’s how it affects you, it’s probably not just about caffeine—let us introduce you to a hormone named gastrin.
Both caffeinated and decaf coffee prompt the body to create gastrin, which promotes digestion by stimulating stomach contractions and the release of gastric acid. Gastrin also is one of the substances that controls the gastrocolic reflex, which causes the colon to contract and keeps food moving through the digestive system.
Drinking coffee with your breakfast may also increase your chances of needing a restroom break—sooner rather than later. Morning is one of the gastrocolic reflex’s most active times of day.
In addition to these everyday digestive effects, researchers have studied the benefits of drinking coffee after certain surgeries and medical procedures, when many patients must “get things moving” before they can be discharged. Studies have found that drinking coffee helps patients meet that milestone more quickly than drinking water or juice.
If you’d like to take a deeper dive into the science behind coffee and health, browse our research library.
All information presented is general and not intended as a substitute for individualized healthcare or advice. Please consult your healthcare provider about your personal health.
