Can you drink coffee if you have an upset stomach?

Coffee Ingredients

Natural coffee can bring both benefits and harm. It all depends not only on the quality of the product, but also in what quantities you use it.

The drink contains nicotinic acid, of course, caffeine, tannins, amino acids and even trace elements. Coffee is difficult for the digestive system to digest on an empty stomach, and coffee with milk with enzyme deficiency can cause indigestion.

Coffee is a choleretic agent, so it should be consumed carefully by people with gastrointestinal diseases.

When should you not drink coffee if you have diarrhea?

There are several conditions in which drinking coffee with diarrhea is prohibited:

• Gastritis . In case of inflammation of the gastric mucosa, you need to follow a gentle diet. The direct irritating effect of the drink can not only increase diarrhea, but also cause an attack of stomach cramps.
• Duodenitis (inflammation of the duodenal mucosa). Coffee is also excluded due to its acidity and irritating effect on the mucous membrane.
• Liver diseases . The production of proteins and enzymes involved in the binding and elimination of caffeine is disrupted. At the same time, substances from coffee, in parallel with other harmful compounds, can increase the poisoning of the body and the manifestations of the disease. If you have problems with the production and excretion of bile, coffee with milk will be difficult to digest, because... bile processes fats from food into suspension for further digestion. Coffee with milk can worsen an attack of illness and cause uncontrollable vomiting; After an exacerbation, you should not drink coffee with milk for at least 7 days.
• Pancreatitis . When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is affected. In this case, severe intoxication is noted - patients are worried about weakness in the body, frequent vomiting and diarrhea, and bloating. Coffee increases the poisoning of the body, exacerbating the course of the disease. You can drink coffee with milk during pancreatitis no earlier than 2 weeks after the exacerbation ends.

Properties of grain drink

Most people do not think about the effect of the drink on the body and take it out of habit or to invigorate the body. This thinking is quite justified, since caffeine stimulates brain activity, and a person begins to feel much more alert.

Coffee also contains nicotinic acid, which is responsible for the synthesis of B vitamins and supports other metabolic processes in the body.

That's not all. Few people will say that they don’t like the aroma of freshly ground coffee. It's all about a special substance - trigoneline, which is released during the roasting of aromatic grains. Tannins have a strengthening effect on the digestive organs, so stories that a strong drink helps with diarrhea are not at all a fairy tale (the reaction of each organism is individual).

The amino acids that make up coffee increase emotional stability and endurance.

Using acorn coffee for loose stools

Acorn coffee should be used at the first sign of diarrhea. To do this, pour 1 tablespoon into 100 ml of boiling water. Let it brew a little and take it, drinking in small sips.

Before using coffee substitutes, you should consult your doctor.

But even natural products have contraindications that must be taken into account to avoid additional problems:

1. Coffee will not help and if used for a long time without consulting a doctor, it can be dangerous if the loose stool contains blood. In such a situation, drug treatment is necessary, and therefore contacting a specialist is mandatory.
2. You should not try to treat yourself with a drink if diarrhea is accompanied by a high temperature or shortness of breath. These are alarming symptoms that require seeing a doctor.
3. The drink is contraindicated for children under 16 years of age. Can be used in treatment only after consultation with a pediatrician or infectious disease specialist.
4. You should not start taking coffee if your stomach upset lasts for more than a week.

Use coffee wisely without causing harm to your health
If diarrhea does not stop within several days of regularly drinking acorn coffee, you should stop taking the drink and consult a doctor.

Undoubtedly, a cup of aromatic coffee in the morning invigorates and energizes you for the whole day. But this is only if it is used correctly. If you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, caffeine must be completely eliminated from the diet until complete recovery. The exception is natural drinks made from acorns and barley. They will not only help cope with diarrhea, but also improve intestinal function.

Stool disorder can manifest itself as a result of disruption of the gastrointestinal tract; disruptions occur due to intoxication, concomitant diseases or food poisoning. Let's find out whether you can drink coffee if you have diarrhea or constipation.

Unfortunately, sometimes health fails. Abnormal bowel movements that catch a person at the wrong moment disrupt all plans. They bring a lot of inconvenience and unpleasant sensations: bloating, pain. As a result, you have to carefully select foods and drinks to consume. Some should be avoided altogether, including strong natural coffee. After all, coffee does not have a fixing effect for diarrhea. On the contrary, it has an irritating effect on the intestinal walls and stimulates loose stools.

Causes of diarrhea after drinking coffee

So why does diarrhea appear after drinking? It turns out that not everyone is prone to diarrhea after drinking this drink. Do not forget that the reaction to this or that product is individual for each person.

An invigorating drink should be taken in moderation on an empty stomach.

Coffee also has some negative effects on the body. Caffeine and nicotinic acid irritate the gastric mucosa, and gastric juice is secreted more actively. As mentioned above, the risk of diarrhea increases if you drink coffee with milk, since not every adult's body can process or absorb milk. The load on the digestive organs increases significantly, the body’s ability to absorb food well decreases, and diarrhea begins.

Why does coffee cause diarrhea?

There are several factors that influence the occurrence of diarrhea from coffee. Each person’s body is unique, and therefore you need to monitor your own sensations.

• Caffeine and acids irritate the stomach, stimulate the secretion of gastric juice and intestinal motility, and increase fluid secretion. Milk, which is often added to coffee, is usually not absorbed very well by adults, and it additionally fills the gaps between meals and makes the consistency liquid. As a result, incompletely digested food with a large amount of liquid passes into the intestines and puts pressure on the rectum, causing diarrhea.
• There is another explanation: when you drink a lot of strong coffee, do it on an empty stomach, or when the body is under stress, a large dose of caffeine is perceived as a toxin. The brain gives a signal to get rid of toxins, cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, which causes nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Diarrhea especially often occurs from instant coffee; it is more irritating to the gastrointestinal tract and contains many chemical additives that are perceived as toxins. Diarrhea from instant coffee can be short-lived, but very rapid.
• Occasional coffee drinkers are more likely to experience diarrhea from coffee than those who drink 2-4 cups of the drink daily. Over time, the body gets used to so much caffeine, acids and toxins, and they are no longer as irritating and stimulating. True, coffee invigorates somewhat less.
• It happens that diarrhea is caused by the grounds in coffee, which greatly irritate the intestines. If you brew your coffee in a cup, French press, or coffee pot, try filters or invest in a coffee machine.
• Very hot or iced coffee can cause diarrhea because the drink stops the digestion process and simply stimulates the movement of food through the intestines. The temperature of food mixed with coffee is uncomfortable for the body, and it strives to get rid of the irritating factor as quickly as possible.

Other causes of diarrhea

It should be noted that the coffee drink is not always to blame for diarrhea. There are many reasons for rapid bowel movements:

1. Severe stress or nervous tension. Remember that the body works as a single system, and all organs are interconnected and controlled by impulses. When exposed to negative situations, the frequency of impulses decreases. This leads to frequent muscle contractions and increased peristalsis. In this case, cases of diarrhea may often occur.
2. An individual allergic reaction to food, for example, the body cannot break down foods such as caffeine, sugar, etc.
3. Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Alcohols negatively affect the walls of the stomach and intestines. In turn, the intestines cannot absorb liquid and other substances. Needless to say, alcohol negatively affects the liver and bile ducts, and when drinking coffee after alcohol, the liver cannot cope with the load, and bile begins to exit through the intestines, accompanied by severe bouts of diarrhea.
4. Traveler's syndrome or eating unusual foods and drinking water. Even if you are in a neighboring city, the body’s reaction to a different chemical composition of water may not be predictable. So on trains you should pay attention to what you drink and, if possible, brew your coffee with drinking water from a brand you trust.
5. Dysbacteriosis or imbalance of beneficial bacteria in the body. If you have dysbacteriosis, it is strictly forbidden to drink coffee.

What kind of coffee is healthy and how to drink it

The norm of caffeine per day for a healthy person is 300 mg. This is about 3-4 average cups of drink depending on the dosage. Only a natural drink brewed from grains is extremely beneficial for the body.

Like any popular product, coffee has many fakes. It is especially convenient to sell them in powder form, adding low-quality ingredients. Therefore, it is better to buy this product in grains or ground, but only from trusted manufacturers.

The main types of coffee are Arabica and Robusta. Each of them has several subspecies. Robusta contains 2-3 times more caffeine and other active substances than Arabica. It is more beneficial for the body, but not everyone can drink it in its pure form - it is very bitter and tart.

Arabica has a subtle aroma and taste, but it has little caffeine. In its pure form, this type of coffee is very weak in effect. Therefore, it is better to purchase blends of Robusta and Arabica. Their ratio is indicated on the packaging as a percentage.

Processing of raw materials is also important. Choose the most gentle one: light and medium roasted grains, fine or medium grinding.

Drink coffee separately from food, but not on an empty stomach, 2-3 hours before bedtime. Doctors do not recommend drinking the drink immediately after waking up. This disrupts the production of the hormone cortisol, which regulates a person’s vigor and activity. Coffee addiction develops quickly. The drink should be drunk 2 hours after waking up.

The temperature of the coffee cannot cause diarrhea. The digestive tract has a system of thermoregulation and protection. A drink that is too hot can damage the lining of the esophagus, but it will reach a safe temperature before reaching the stomach and intestines.

Symptoms of indigestion with diarrhea

If we take into account the mechanism of manifestation of diarrhea, it can be divided into two categories:

• mechanical diarrhea - a change in the process of peristalsis (for example, if you drank low-quality instant coffee on an empty stomach);
• diarrhea is caused by impaired absorption of fluid (including due to dysbacteriosis or after alcohol intoxication).

Diarrhea is characterized by the emptying of liquid stool and frequent (intolerant) urges. But after drinking coffee, additional symptoms may occur, such as cramping, bloating, general weakness, dizziness, and fever.

Don’t panic and stop drinking coffee; the reaction to it is purely individual. But still, if you have diarrhea after each coffee intake, then it can be replaced with analogues: acorn, barley coffee or chicory. You can also try switching to brewed or low-caffeine coffee.

When does coffee help with diarrhea?

The benefits of coffee for diarrhea are possible, but only if it is a natural and not an instant drink. The list of useful varieties includes compositions made from barley or acorns. This is an excellent alternative in the fight against diarrhea. Such drinks only slightly resemble coffee in their taste and, on the contrary, have a fixing property. Thanks to this, they have a positive effect on intestinal function.

Compositions made from barley or acorns for diarrhea can also be used because:

1. They contain microelements that restore and strengthen the immune system. The list of components contains vitamins that protect the intestinal mucosa from damage.
2. The composition of acorns contains natural starch (up to 65%). This product fixes and helps cope with diarrhea. Starch coats the intestinal walls. This slows down the absorption of food and reduces the load on the pancreas.
3. Quercetin, found in coffee drinks, has pain-relieving properties.

Due to this, pain in the intestinal area is eliminated, gas formation is normalized and bloating and attacks of flatulence are eliminated.

How else to deal with diarrhea?

If you have severe diarrhea, you need to follow some rules:

• do not eat heavy and fatty foods;
• drink regular or mineral water;
• limit the consumption of milk, meat, dairy products, nuts;
• completely eliminate coffee, or better replace it with strong black tea.

To strengthen the intestines, eat dogwood, chokeberry, pears, and persimmons.

Many doctors note that people who frequently drink coffee are less susceptible to bouts of diarrhea. If you are sensitive to coffee, you should be careful when consuming chocolate, energy drinks, and other products containing caffeine.

Also, do not neglect your medications. You can take activated carbon or buy other sorbents at the pharmacy, for example, the same Smecta.

When diarrhea does not stop for more than a day, you should consult a doctor.

How to reduce the negative effects of caffeine

To begin with, refrain from drinking too hot a drink. Wait for the espresso to cool before drinking.

In the morning, be sure to eat before a cup of tonic coffee. Food neutralizes the harmful effects of caffeine on the walls of the stomach.

For lovers of freshly brewed Turkish coffee, gastroenterologists recommend not adding grounds to the cup. You can reduce the amount of toxins entering your body using special filters or a coffee machine.

During pregnancy, it is better to limit caffeine consumption to a minimum. The stimulating properties of the drink can negatively affect the development of the fetus. If it is not possible to refuse a tonic drink in the morning, try using barley or acorn coffee.

Traditional recipes for stopping diarrhea

In addition to standard pharmaceutical remedies, during frequent bowel movements you can try the following remedies:

1. Rice porridge and rice water. You can simply cook rice porridge and eat a few spoonfuls without anything. Make rice water correctly: add a few tablespoons of pre-soaked rice to half a liter of boiling water and cook over low heat for about 50 minutes. The cooled broth should be strained through a sieve and taken about 150 ml up to four times a day.
2. Oak bark is used not only in dentistry and gynecology, but also helps with severe diarrhea. Here you can prepare infusions and decoctions.
3. Hard-boiled egg yolk.
4. Half a glass of oak bark is poured with a glass of boiling water and boiled over low heat for up to half an hour. Take the cooled and strained decoction, 2 tablespoons three times a day.
5. Strong tea for diarrhea is the most popular folk recipe. Tea should be taken pure without additives or impurities. Pour twice as much tea leaves into a cup as you are used to and pour boiling water over it. You can drink it either cold or warm, but without sugar.

Can coffee cause diarrhea?

An increase in bowel movements is indeed associated with the consumption of this drink. There are a number of reasons why stool disorder occurs:

1. Impact of caffeine.

This component stimulates peristalsis - contractions of the intestines, which leads to accelerated evacuation of the contents of the digestive tract, discomfort in the abdomen and loose stools.

1. Allergy to the components of the drink.

The reaction of individual sensitivity in some people is expressed in a disorder of normal bowel movement. Both caffeine itself and additives - dyes, flavors, taste enhancers - can act as an allergen.

1. Lactase deficiency.

It is not directly related to caffeine, but requires close attention when diarrhea occurs in combination with abdominal pain and flatulence. It should be discussed if milk is added to a drink, but the lactase enzyme necessary for its high-quality breakdown is too small.

After reading the list of causes of diarrhea caused by drinking coffee, a logical question arises: why do some people start their morning with it every day, while others are forced to visit the toilet after even taking a few sips? Firstly, a lot depends on the concentration of the active substance: in a cup of instant drink it is lower than in espresso. Secondly, individual characteristics influence the presence of diseases of the digestive tract (caffeine irritates the mucous membrane, provokes gastroesophageal reflux and heartburn).

Thus, coffee can cause diarrhea and requires caution when consumed in people with chronic gastrointestinal pathologies.

At the same time, tea (black, green) and cola do not provoke stool upset, since they contain less active peristalsis stimulants than a cup of coffee. But if you drink too much of them in a day (more than 5-7 standard volumes equal to 200 ml), diarrhea is also likely.

Coffee composition

Natural coffee is a product with a complex composition. The list of components contains nicotinic acid. It guarantees the restoration of vitamin B in case of deficiency. Other valuable components:

• caffeine – improves the functioning of the nervous system, guarantees constant vigor and high mental activity;
• tannins – have a positive effect on physical fitness and the development of endurance;
• microelements (calcium, fluorine, magnesium and potassium) – necessary for the smooth functioning of the body;
• tannin is a tanning element that forms a significant amount of useful compounds after heat treatment.

The list of components contains three types of acids. These are chlorogenic, citric and malic acids, which regulate metabolic processes.

The alkaloids present in the drink stabilize food absorption and intestinal motility.

However, despite this composition, coffee for diarrhea is far from the most desirable and healthy drink.