Are you a decaf coffee drinker who’s suffering from stomach issues or bothered by your bowel activity? Or maybe you’re considering backing off on the buzz to do less of the doo-doo. Either way, you may be seeking a definitive answer to a burning question: Does decaf coffee make you poop?
Every caffeinated coffee drinker knows that the first-morning coffee cup encourages the caca, right?
Absolutely! So then, obviously, quitting the caffeine would benefit the bowels.
Unfortunately, no. But it’s a little more complicated than that. So let’s take a closer look at why decaf coffee will get you moving.
It’s Not the Caffeine
If you’re the coffee drinker that hoped that quitting caffeine would solve your bowel movement problems, then you’re out of luck. It isn’t the caffeine! Instead, both decaffeinated and regular coffee will get your bowels moving in a variety of ways.
Increase in Gastrin
Both types of coffee can increase your gastrin levels and get things moving in the morning. Gastrin is a hormone produced in the stomach that helps break down food during digestion.
It’s also responsible for making the colon more active and sometimes causing heartburn and other stomach issues.
But a little extra gastrin in the morning won’t hurt, right? For the most part, no. Taking care of business in the morning is always a great idea, but too much coffee and your gastrocolic response might turn explosive.
Gastrin is also responsible for making your colon more active.
Colon Cleanser
No matter what version of coffee you’re drinking, you’ll find it stimulates the motor movement in your colon. Those increased contractions lead directly to your bathroom door.
The colon, also known as the large intestine, is the final phase of your digestion system. Food travels into the colon, where it’s broken down into the simplest waste form: poop. Then the colon expels it from your body.
So any increase in colonic activity, and you’ll be trotting to the toilet.
Morning Movement
Of course, you might also be feeling the added pressure because of the time of day. Studies show that your colon is most active in the wee hours of the morning: the same time you’re sipping that cup of coffee.
Lactose Intolerance
It could be the dairy causing a dilemma in your derrière. This type of stomach problem is widespread. About 68% of all people suffer from lactose intolerance!
Lactose is a natural sugar found in most milk and milk products. When you suffer from lactose intolerance, it means your body can’t absorb the lactose as it should. The results are bloating, gas, and dreaded diarrhea.
Of course, switching to soy might not be the answer either! According to some studies, soy milk alternatives tend to relieve constipation, as well.
What to do about the do-do?
If decaffeinated coffee consumption won’t fix the natural laxative effects of coffee, what can a coffee drinker do? There’s no absolute answer to the poop problem, but there are a few ways to make your cup of decaf coffee a little better on your bowels.
Experiment with Brewing
The preparation of decaf coffee can have a significant impact on your tummy. Choosing a low-acid option helps, although decaf coffee is already naturally lower in acid than regular coffee.
So brew your coffee in a way that aids digestion. Making cold brew coffee can reduce the acid by up to 70%! That will mean less acid reflux, less heartburn, and less gastrin.
Skip the Sweetener
Sugar might explain the excrement! Studies show that sugar leads to loose stools. Why? Because it forces your bowels to release water and electrolytes.
Consume more than 40 grams of sugar a day, and you may suffer from severe diarrhea. And unfortunately, choosing an artificial sweetener doesn’t really solve the problem. I suggest unsweetened coffee for your morning cup.
Leave Out the Lactose
If you suspect that you have lactose intolerance, skip the milk and drink black coffee. But if you’re a coffee lover who is nuts about their latte, you have some options.
Some milk alternatives that may not make you poop: are oat milk, almond milk, or hemp milk. Try these in your cup of coffee instead, and maybe you’ll avoid that extra trip to the toilet.
Cut Back on the Coffee
If you’re truly suffering from the laxative effects of coffee, you may need to cut back altogether, decaf or otherwise. As a fellow coffee fanatic, it breaks my heart even to suggest it, but health is important. You may also want to follow up with a doctor.
Wrapping Up
Decaf coffee drinkers can’t avoid the inevitable race to the restroom because the truth is, decaf coffee makes you poop. Though caffeine can motivate your morning movement, it isn’t the number one cause of your number two.
If your stomach problems are too much to handle, try some new brewing methods, lay off the lactose, or cut back on your morning cup of joe. But if your bowel movements aren’t unbearable, then go ahead and have another sip.
Happy Caffeinating!
