Coffee is good for your digestion

We could honestly give you an endless list of reasons why you could drink coffee all day long. It smells lovely, it tastes great, it wakes you up, it’s sociable, and did we mention it tastes great? (*takes a sip of coffee in the meantime*)

There are plenty of things you probably didn’t know about coffee, and one of them is that it helps you go to the loo! Not only does it get your bowels moving, it also helps you pee. Coffee acts as a diuretic, meaning excess fluid is moved from your kidneys to your bladder more quickly. At the same time, it gets your intestinal muscles working, which helps move solid waste through.

Why does coffee have a laxative effect?

There are three factors that explain why coffee has a laxative effect: temperature, fluid and caffeine.

Temperature: You can of course enjoy an iced coffee in the summer like we do from time to time. But if you’re drinking it for the laxative effect, you’re better off having a hot cup of coffee. Hot fluids help relieve constipation and bloating. This effect is particularly noticeable in the morning. If you don’t fancy coffee, a hot cup of tea works too.

Fluid: It’s well known that your digestion works better when your body is properly hydrated, and naturally it follows that you can pee better when you’re drinking enough fluid. People often wrongly assume that coffee has a dehydrating effect. A study by the University of Birmingham showed that drinking 4 cups of coffee has the same effect on your body’s hydration as drinking four glasses of water. So it actually counts towards your recommended daily fluid intake.

Caffeine: Caffeine keeps you awake and alert, but did you know it can also help your digestion? Caffeine stimulates the muscles in your intestines, causing them to contract sooner. But because coffee is a diuretic, your stool will be harder. So if you’re already badly constipated, it’s probably better to skip the coffee until a better moment.

Of course, we’re not doctors and coffee isn’t medicine. If you’re really struggling with something, go and see your doctor ;-) .