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How Effective Is Coffee as a Laxative?

Tara Barnett
Tara Barnett

Most people do not use coffee as a laxative in cases of severe constipation, but when digestive problems are minor, coffee can be very effective. Effectiveness depends on the person, his or her current physical health, and any underlying conditions. For some people, coffee actually has the opposite effect and causes severe constipation. It can also cause dehydration. Coffee therefore has some laxative effects, but when a dependable laxative is needed, it is usually not the best option.

The reason this beverage works as a laxative is because it stimulates peristalsis, which is the name for the contractions that move food through the digestive system. Speeding up this process by using coffee as a laxative can cause loose bowel movements, which can be uncomfortable. This potential to disrupt natural digestive processes points to the effectiveness of coffee at inducing bowel movements.

Drinking coffee may help regulate a person's bowel movements.
Drinking coffee may help regulate a person's bowel movements.

It is common for people to discover the potential of coffee as a laxative when drinking this beverage over long periods of time. As many people drink coffee at the same time every day, coffee can be very effective at regulating a person's bowel movements. The use of coffee as a laxative is usually not as violent or harsh as laxatives purchased in pharmacies. As such, some people never realize the source of their regular bowel movements after consuming this drink with breakfast.

Coffee works as a laxative because it triggers peristalsis.
Coffee works as a laxative because it triggers peristalsis.

For people with certain conditions, coffee can actually cause constipation. One of the ways this works is by making a person dehydrated, which in turn causes constipation. It is uncommon for people to experience constipation due to an allergy to the coffee itself, but some people do experience this condition as a reaction to milk or creamer that is drunk with the coffee. Likewise, some people react badly to the caffeine in coffee but find that decaffeinated coffee does not cause constipation.

In cases of severe constipation, laxative pills are more effective than coffee.
In cases of severe constipation, laxative pills are more effective than coffee.

The use of coffee as a laxative is actually independent from its caffeine content. Even decaffeinated coffee has been shown to stimulate peristalsis and perform effectively as a laxative. Drinking decaffeinated coffee can help avoid some of the dehydration associated with coffee while retaining the stimulating effects, potentially providing a more effective laxative for some people.

Prolonged use of laxatives may cause stomach pain.
Prolonged use of laxatives may cause stomach pain.

All of the above uses of coffee as a laxative depend on oral consumption of liquid coffee. Other methods of consuming coffee, such as through a colon cleanse, are also thought to have some laxative effects. People who practice coffee cleanses claim that the same stimulating effects occur when the coffee is administered rectally, but there is little medical evidence to support this hypothesis.

Discussion Comments

anon997132

Yep, twice in the morning ~1 hour after 1 cup consumption--perfect!

ysmina

@alisha-- Coffee really does regulate bowel movements. I have a latte every morning with breakfast and I have to go twenty minutes later. It's like clockwork.

I'm not sure if it's the stimulants in the coffee though. I'm sure the stimulants have some effect, but I also feel like it might be the milk or creamer. Milk helps some people go, so that's highly possible and I know that some dry coffee creamers have ingredients in them that can have a laxative effect.

I think another reason that coffee promotes regularity is because it makes us drink more water. Coffee makes me very thirsty and I usually follow up with two to three glasses of water after a cup. Everyone knows that drinking enough water is the number one rule for regular bowel movements.

discographer

I had no idea that coffee can cause contractions in the bowels, and promote regularity. I would have started drinking it more often! I will try a cup tomorrow morning and see if it works.

literally45

I've never heard of coffee working as a laxative before. It certainly doesn't have that affect on me and I drink two to three cups a day.

In fact, there is an old remedy that my mom uses for diarrhea and it contains coffee and lemon juice!

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    • Drinking coffee may help regulate a person's bowel movements.
      By: 7activestudio
      Drinking coffee may help regulate a person's bowel movements.
    • Coffee works as a laxative because it triggers peristalsis.
      By: al62
      Coffee works as a laxative because it triggers peristalsis.
    • In cases of severe constipation, laxative pills are more effective than coffee.
      By: Photographee.eu
      In cases of severe constipation, laxative pills are more effective than coffee.
    • Prolonged use of laxatives may cause stomach pain.
      By: Kaspars Grinvalds
      Prolonged use of laxatives may cause stomach pain.
    • When digestive problems are minor, coffee can be very effective.
      By: graphicgeoff
      When digestive problems are minor, coffee can be very effective.