The reason why coffee has laxative and diuretic effects
Many coffee lovers notice a certain dependence. After a fragrant cup of coffee, they almost immediately feel that they need to visit the toilet, including not only for minor needs. Why is this happening? Science will answer this.
Yes, indeed, coffee affects some people as a diuretic (most people), but for other lovers of a tonic aromatic drink, the tart fragrance of which cannot be confused with anything else, coffee acts as a laxative. Moreover, from some types of drink the effect can be so strong that a person can think about food poisoning. As they say, to get to where you need to go! However, in reality there is nothing criminal about this. Only physiology and chemistry.
Indeed, it (coffee) can stimulate intestinal peristalsis (wave-like contraction of the walls of hollow tubular organs (esophagus, stomach, intestines, etc.), promoting the movement of their contents), which is why sudden urges may occur. But which effect we will feel more depends on our body and the way the body perceives the substances included in the drink. However, there are also people for whom this drink has no effect. But there really aren't that many of them.
Rats helped figure out why you want to go to the toilet after drinking coffee
Some coffee lovers are well aware that this drink not only invigorates you in the morning, but also promotes bowel movements. Despite the fact that the laxative effect of the drink has been known for a long time, scientists did not understand what exactly caused it. It has been suggested that caffeine plays a key role in this process.
To get to the bottom of this, a group of researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston conducted an experiment on laboratory rats.
The animals were divided into two groups: one was treated to a small amount of caffeinated coffee, the other without it. The control group of animals was not given the drink. The experiment lasted three days.
The researchers then examined the rats' lower digestive systems using a physical examination and a probe. In particular, they focused on analyzing the muscles in the intestines that contract and help move digested food through the intestines.
Experts also studied how these tissues react to coffee.
The results showed that after the invigorating drink, the muscles of the small and large intestines contracted better. Therefore, digested food could move through the intestines faster.
“Coffee has a stimulating effect on intestinal motility. We observed the same effect from caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. So, it’s not about him,” the lead author of the work, Xuan-Zheng Shi, explained in an interview with Gizmodo.
Shi's team also compared feces from three groups of rats. It turned out that the samples of rodents that drank coffee had less bacteria than the control group of animals.
The researchers also exposed the animals' feces to a solution containing small amounts of coffee. As a result, the bacteria in these samples stopped growing.
Experts observed a similar, but stronger effect when they used a higher concentration of the drink. At the same time, as before, decaffeinated coffee led to similar results.
“This is all really interesting and means that coffee may be an antibacterial agent. We need to better understand how coffee is able to have this effect on the microbiota,” Shi adds.
At the moment, it is too early to talk about exactly how this beloved drink can affect the human intestinal microflora. Whether it destroys only pathogenic microorganisms or also reaches beneficial bacteria is not yet clear.
It is known that the intestinal microbiota is a rather fragile environment, which is negatively affected by antibiotics and changes in place of residence. If coffee also destroys or slows down the growth of beneficial bacteria, then this will not be the most pleasant news for coffee lovers.
On the other hand, previous studies have shown that coffee may have a positive effect on overall colon health and reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
In addition, a connection has been identified between the intestinal microbiota and healthy peristalsis. However, it is not entirely clear how the first influences the second.
Shi's group also does not indicate that coffee affects the gut specifically through the microbiota. Subsequent studies will help clarify these issues.
In the future, scientists also intend to study whether coffee should be used as a relatively simple way to cope with constipation or complications after some operations.
Preliminary results of the work were presented at a research conference called Digestive Disease Week in San Diego. Shi's group also plans to publish their work in a peer-reviewed journal within the next few months.
Let us add that earlier the authors of the Vesti.Nauka project (nauka.vesti.ru) reported how much coffee you should drink to strengthen your heart and how just one cup of an invigorating drink a day helps to cope with forgetfulness.
At the same time, the drink changes the perception of taste and confuses the human biological clock.
Why does coffee have this effect?
Doctors from the English hospital Royal Hallamshire Hospital decided to answer this question. To this end, researchers S. Brown, P. Kann and N. Reed conducted a survey of volunteers of both sexes.
The data they collected shows that people do have different experiences with coffee and its impact on bathroom urges. However, a common “symptom” was reported by a total of 29 percent of those surveyed. Moreover, 63 percent of respondents were women.
By studying data from volunteers, the researchers also determined that this feeling occurs in people regardless of whether they drink natural or instant coffee, whether it is “normal” coffee or decaffeinated coffee, which immediately helped to dismiss the influence of the drink’s most famous chemical compound, confirming that this alkaloid cannot affect the functioning of the walls of the body cavities - the intestines.
What type of coffee has a fixing effect?
Due to the presence of a high concentration of caffeine in the composition, stool consolidation is possible when drinking a drink based on robusta beans. Also, hardening of stool is observed from sweet espresso, which provokes intestinal spasms and difficulty in emptying.
Acorn coffee also strengthens. This effect is noted due to the presence of the following substances in its composition:
- starch . Easily digested and has a strengthening effect;
- tannins . Prevents the development of diarrhea and other disorders in the gastrointestinal tract;
- Quercetin. Helps relieve spasms and eliminate pain.
In addition, acorn drink is rich in carbohydrates and proteins necessary for the body. This is a natural antibiotic that can effectively fight diarrhea and eliminate lesions localized on the intestinal mucosa. However, the use of this remedy in the presence of the following symptoms will not give the desired result:
- hyperthermia;
- gagging;
- dizziness;
- the presence of blood and mucus in the stool;
- dyspnea.
In this case, medical attention is needed.
What component of coffee affects and gives this effect (laxative and diuretic)?
Ultimately, the researchers concluded that drinking coffee stimulates the production of the hormone gastrin. It, in turn, stimulates the stomach to produce more gastric juice and increases the motility of the colon. This, in turn, can - for some more, for others to a lesser extent - stimulate intestinal motility and, as a result, make you feel the need to defecate.
Moreover, from the experience of various coffee lovers, it can be noted that different varieties and types of coffee can act in different ways from the point of view of the laxative effect - some more intensely, others practically not at all.
Diuretic caffeine
But what about those who, after drinking coffee, feel that they need to quickly go to the toilet for a minor need?
This question relates to the topic of caffeine content in the drink. This particular alkaloid is a stimulant that usually increases urine production. This alkaloid blocks the production of antidiuretic hormones, stimulates blood flow and activates the adrenal glands. The amount of urine increases, and you want to run more often at “00”, which, in turn, can lead to mild dehydration and subsequent constipation. see also
19 Simmering Facts About Tea: Twig Tea Is More Invigorating Than Coffee And Who Is Earl Gray
By the way, research conducted in 2002 shows that those who drink coffee regularly have a greater tolerance for the urge to urinate, so they don't have to. go to the toilet frequently, even after they have drunk 2-3 cups per day.
Coffee: a diuretic or a laxative?
Despite this, coffee is not a laxative. It may help with mild constipation, but only for 30% of people. However, as we said earlier, by removing fluid from the body, coffee can only do harm.
As for the diuretic, if you drink coffee rarely, you can try using it on an occasional basis, it will help. But if you drink coffee often, the effect of caffeine will gradually disappear.
And don’t forget that self-medication without medical help can be dangerous to health or even life!
But you need to remember the effects of the odorous drink. Especially for those who like to drink a cup of tart before work. Especially on an empty stomach. When your stomach gets sick on the road and you need a restroom that isn’t nearby, what an “adventure” it will be!
Does coffee help you lose weight?
People often think that coffee, due to its mild laxative and diuretic effects, can make them slimmer. This is not to say that this is a complete misconception, but it is important to understand exactly how coffee works. Firstly, it increases blood pressure and speeds up metabolism, which overall leads to the body processing its energy reserves faster.
Coffee also contains special substances: phenolic compounds, peridine and P vitamins, which promote the breakdown of fat cells. These substances are also effective when used externally. This is why coffee wraps can help a little in the fight against cellulite.
Sometimes you can hear about rather strange ways to lose weight with coffee. This drink suppresses the appetite, while on its own, without the addition of milk and sugar, it has almost no energy value. Therefore, sometimes people drink it to survive as long as possible without food. But this is not the healthiest way to reduce appetite, so it is not recommended to abuse it.
