Who doesn’t love their first sip of coffee in the morning? Apparently, a lot of people because it reported that Americans drink about 400 million cups of coffee every day. That's a lot of coffee!
For some people, the day doesn’t start until they have had their cup of coffee and for others, it’s a go-to to keep energy levels high in the afternoon.
Some people even report that coffee helps with going to the bathroom. Keep reading as we explore if this is really true and explain why there are more proven healthier ways to help you go number two like drinking Bonny.
Raise Your Hand if Coffee Makes You Poop
ABC Network / Via media.giphy.com
There should be around 3 hands raised for every ten people. About 30% of Americans reported they feel the urge to hit the bathroom after a cup of coffee. (This widely referenced statistic is from a 1990 study but we couldn't find anything more recent.)
So not everyone is getting the urge to go to the bathroom after drinking coffee but if you are of one those people, why does it happen?
Reasons Why Coffee May Be Making You Poop
Coffee Can Cause Colon Contractions
Wow the alliteration on that headline, but we digress. Coffee stimulates the production of the digestive hormone gastrin and hydrochloric acid, which is present in gastric juice. Both of these things - you may never have heard of before - break down food in the stomach.
Basically coffee is sending a signal to our stomach to release gastrin. This starts a wave of gut contractions called peristalsis, which moves food and liquid through the intestines. This initiates a faster trip to the bathroom for some people.
Coffee has Caffeine
Coffee’s main active ingredient is caffeine. According to research, caffeine can help people poop. Caffeinated coffee perks up the activity in our colon, similar to eating and digesting food.
Besides coffee beans, caffeine can be found in foods like cacao beans and tea leaves.
What About Decaf?
Decaf coffee triggers the release gastrin but has less of an impact compared to caffeinated cups of coffee. It has been found that caffeinated coffee is 23% stronger compared to its decaffeinated version.
Coffee May Contain Other Things Making You Poop
The reason for the bathroom break may not be coffee at all.
Dairy Based Creamers
Adding daily based milk or cream can cause gas or bloating, or trigger a bathroom run for those with lactose intolerance conditions. You may want to check your intolerances and food allergens first before you order that nice latte or frappuccino.
Warm Temperature
Coffee is warm (and sometimes way too hot!) and that can get these moving in your digestive tract. Research has shown that even drinking warm water can stimulate intestinal movement. We always advocate drinking more water as it helps flush out the system and relieve constipation.
Artificial Sweeteners
Another culprit may be the artificial sweetener in your coffee which can drive you to the bathroom. Artificial sweeteners can contain sugar alcohols that can cause digestive issues. These include xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and erythritol. Note Bonny does not contain erythritol which is common in a lot of supplements. Erythritol can be found in the type of stevia or monk fruit used. To recap, the artificial sweeteners you put in your coffee may be making you poop, not the coffee itself.
Should I Drink Coffee to Help Me Poop?
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Brewedcoffee can contain a very small amount of fiber and is not enough to meet the recommended dietary fiber diet. The USDA recommends that Americans get their daily fiber intake of 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men.
Although drinking coffee may provide you with an energy boost and it some cases make you go, it should not be treated as the only way for you to poop.
Also, caffeine can dehydrate you which is not ideal because it can make constipation worse. Constipation occurs when your can’t poop or you strain to poop hard pellets. Fiber bulks up the stool attracting water to make it smooth and painless to pain. Always remember to drink plenty of water in general but also with fiber as water helps fiber do its job in the gut.
How to Poop Better Without Coffee
So how do you get more fiber in your diet to poop better?Dietitians recommend a high-fiber diet with a lot of fruits and vegetables. Some excellent sources of fiber include whole grains, beans, nuts, berries, pears, and avocados. Loading up on fiber is still the best and safest way to make your way to going number two. We have a handy list of fiber-rich foods here.
If the long list of fiber foods overwhelms you, you can get still hit your daily fiber goals with an all-natural supplement like Bonny.
Bonny Helps You Poop
Bonny is an all-natural fiber powder supplement that helps you poop. Bonny has a custom blend of psyllium husk and prebiotic inulin to support your butt and your gut. A serving of Bonny contains 17%+ of your daily fiber!
Taking fiber powder is as easy as prepping up your morning coffee: First, add Bonny fiber powder to the glass then add water. Next, mix one serving of Bonny fiber powder (about one tablespoon) with at least 8 ounces of cool water. Stir well until all powder is blended.
Bonny has several amazing flavors like Mixed Ripe Berries a healthy replacement for your daily rich chocolate coffee drink with all the fiber Bonny is known for. Our products are vegan, gluten-free, and fab.
As always, we wish you pleasant poops!
