We’ve all been there – drinking our morning cup of coffee, and before we knew it, we’re on our way to the bathroom doing a number 2. One study found that 29% of participants needed to move their bowel within 20 minutes after drinking a cup of coffee. Whilst this may not be an unpleasant topic to talk about in the open, some of us are curious about why drinking coffee makes us want to go straight to the loo.

Why does coffee stimulate bowel movements?

Numerous studies have been conducted to pinpoint why coffee makes you poop. However, there is no solid answer to the correlation between coffee and poop. Most of us think that the caffeine in coffee is the culprit behind bowel movements. A 1990 journal called Gut disproved caffeine’s impact on the bowels after discovering that caffeinated and decaf coffee can stimulate bowel movement.

So, what’s in the coffee that makes you want to go?

Some attribute the acidity of coffee as responsible for bowel stimulation. Decaf and caffeinated coffee have chlorogenic acid that triggers higher stomach acid levels and gastric acid production. The increase in acidity makes bowel movements faster than usual.

Several studies showed that coffee can activate contractions in the colon and intestinal muscles. These contractions push the fecal matter to the rectum aka bowel movement.

A study revealed that caffeinated coffee stimulates bowel movements in the colon 60% more strongly compared to water and 23% more than decaffeinated coffee. Separate research with six participants discovered that drinking coffee after a meal could help move bowels faster. Furthermore, another study found that caffeine triggered stronger contractions in the anus and rectum.

Coffee may also trigger the release of cholecystokinin, a hormone from the intestine that can stimulate bowel movements. It is still vague what coffee component is responsible for the release of cholecystokinin. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee triggers the production of gastrin, a hormone that promotes digestion. Gastrin also increases stomach contractions, relaxes the valve between the small and large intestines and relaxes the sphincter between the stomach and small intestine.

Coffee and Gut Health

Active research is going on about the role of coffee in improving gut health. Coffee is known to decrease the risk of colon cancer, increase cognitive function, and minimise the risk of type II diabetes, heart attack, stroke, Parkinson’s, and more.

The contractions that happen in the body after we eat is called peristalsis. Peristalsis is important to digestion. It is the contraction of the digestive muscles and urinary tracts. It is an involuntary, wave-like movement to move solids or liquids along within the digestive system.

When you drink coffee, peristalsis seems to happen much faster that can be attributed to the gastrocolic reflex. The gastrocolic reflex is stimulated by stomach stretching when we consume or drink something. This activity makes the colon increase its motility. This reflex is controlled by a few different molecules and hormones such as gastrin.

What about coffee enema?

An enema is a great way to detoxify the colon. Clinical use of coffee enemas can be traced back to the mid-1800s. Coffee enema is used to help relieve constipation, minimise depression, boost immunity, and more.

The process of coffee enema involves a mixture of brewed, caffeinated coffee, and water is inserted into a person’s colon through the rectum. When warm organic coffee is instilled into the colon, the mixture enters the bloodstream quickly and travels to the liver directly. The caffeine then prompts the bladder to release bile, which soaks up toxins 6 times before the body moves the bowel. Coffee enema expedites the cleaning process.

Besides colon detoxification, coffee enema offers these benefits:

• Improves energy level
• Treats autoimmune diseases
• Rids of the parasites from the digestive tract
• Stops yeast overgrowth
• Removes heavy metals from the body
• Treats depression

Cafestol palmitate, a compound found in coffee, stimulates the activity of an enzyme called glutathione S-transferase. This enzyme opens up the bile duct in the liver, helping release more bile to break down food and increase overall digestion. Moreover, coffee components, theobromine, caffeine, and theophylline,  widen blood vessels and the bile duct. This movement encourages bile flow and promotes digestion.

The Bottom line

Every person responds to coffee differently. Nevertheless, if you wish to reap the benefits of coffee for your gut health, contact Colonic Care today for Coffee Colonic Irrigation. Coffee enema is an effective way to absorb the benefits of coffee directly into the bloodstream, instead of caffeine going through the entire digestive system that takes place when drinking coffee.