{"id":59918,"date":"2023-08-15T11:43:56","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T15:43:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=59918"},"modified":"2025-09-04T11:49:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T15:49:18","slug":"coffee-for-constipation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/coffee-for-constipation\/","title":{"rendered":"Is coffee good for constipation?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Does the aroma of freshly brewed coffee get you out of bed in the morning? You\u2019re not alone. Approximately 154 million (or 75%) of American adults drink coffee, and nearly half of U.S. adults drink it daily. <\/span>Coffee consumption<\/span> can improve mood, increase cognition, enhance exercise performance, and it helps some people with digestion. But is coffee a good remedy for constipation?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve likely felt the need to <\/span>go <\/span><\/i>after drinking your morning coffee, and you might wonder if it can help when you feel backed up. Here\u2019s what to know about coffee\u2019s laxative properties and if it should be a go-to fix for constipation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>10 health benefits of coffee<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Why does coffee make you poop?<\/span><\/h2>\n

You\u2019re not alone if your morning cup of joe sends you straight to the bathroom to poop, says <\/span>Trent G. Orfanos, MD<\/span>, director of Integrative and Functional Cardiology at <\/span>Case Integrative Health<\/span> in Chicago. One older <\/span>study<\/span> found that 29% of people reported an increased urge to defecate after drinking coffee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Orfanos<\/a> says that there are several reasons why coffee can make you poop. <\/span>Research<\/span><\/a> indicates that coffee contains acids that boost levels of gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) hormones. These hormones initiate a response called the <\/span>gastrocolic reflex<\/span><\/a>, which stimulates colon contractions and triggers the passage of waste through the rectum.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe mechanism of how coffee stimulates motor activity (i.e. muscle contractions in the colon to propel the exit of stool) isn\u2019t totally clear but some evidence for chemicals in coffee, like cholinergic acid and melanoidins, are what might have the greatest impact on colorectal contractions,\u201d says <\/span>Arun Swaminath<\/span><\/a>, MD, chief of gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.<\/span><\/p>\n

The stimulating effect of drinking coffee when you wake up plays into the body\u2019s natural digestive process. \u201cContractions in the colon tend to be strongest in the morning, which is also when most drink their daily coffee,\u201d Dr. Orfano explains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coffee\u2019s caffeine content enhances its laxative effect, says <\/span>Shilpa Mehra Dang, MD,<\/span><\/a> a double board-certified gastroenterologist and internist at Medical Offices of Manhattan. <\/span>\u201cCaffeine increases colon muscle contractions and stool movement, called peristalsis,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

But how long does it take for coffee to make you poop? It varies, but the stimulating effects can kick in quickly, says Dr. Orfanos. Some people report moving their bowels as soon as four minutes after drinking coffee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Dang explains that when you experience the laxative effects depends on your metabolism, general GI health, and your sensitivity to caffeine. Some people may feel the effects of coffee on their bowel movements 30 minutes to one hour after drinking it; in others, it might take a few hours\u2014or it might not happen at all, she says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Does coffee help with constipation?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Coffee may work as a natural laxative to get your bowels moving. However, it may not be a good long-term option to relieve constipation in everyone, according to Dr. Orfanos. Chronic constipation may signify an underlying condition, such as endocrine disorders like <\/span>diabetes<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>hypothyroidism<\/span><\/a>, and even <\/span>neurological conditions<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What you should know about coffee and diabetes<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Drinking too much coffee may exacerbate certain conditions, such as <\/span>irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>glaucoma<\/span><\/a>, or an <\/span>overactive bladder<\/span><\/a>, Dr. Orfanos points out. He says there are better ways than coffee to relieve constipation, like adequate hydration and plenty of fiber.<\/span><\/p>\n

As far as scientific studies go, there is little direct research about how effective coffee is when treating constipation, says Dr. Dang. More research is needed to find a clear link.<\/span><\/p>\n

In some cases, coffee consumption could even worsen constipation, she says. While caffeine stimulates some people’s gastrointestinal tracts, others may become constipated or have other bad reactions. According to Dr. Dang, coffee can cause or exacerbate constipation for the following reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n