Can Coffee Help Relieve Constipation?

Recently, I had been facing with constipation issues for the past few days. I remembered the last time I had this problem I had a cup of coffee and I managed to resolve the issue. So I tried it again today, and it really works! Happy Smiley This is the second time this has happened to my system and I am amused by it. I would like to declare that I am not a regular coffee drinker, but I do consume coffee whenever I need it; such as when I need to burn the midnight oil, may be now even constipation!

I did some research on the Web about my problem and found that there are mixed opinions on this issue. Some suggest that you should avoid liquids containing caffeine - i.e., coffee or cola drinks. Others also reported the same experience that I do.

There is definitely a contradiction in suggestions from the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) and the reports of Health effects of coffee on Wikipedia. So what is happening to my system? Why some others and me have these experiences, while some professional institution suggest differently? I would like to hear your views about this matter, and experiences you have with constipation and coffee, and if you are of a medical profession, I also would like to hear your input on this matter. Very Happy Smiley

Say Something | Tags: Musing, Thoughts and Reflections, Food

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It may be that the coffee is a hot drink. My doctor explained that warm or hot drinks can cause the result you had. You might try a hot de-caffinated coffee or tea and see if that works just as well.
Carver    Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:47:41 +0800
Hi Carver, that's a good thought. I will try it the next time I face with constipation again, and update here what I've found. Happy Smiley
Alexander    Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:32:46 +0800
Am trying coffe after it was suggested by local nurse as my whole system for food and constipation a mess.
Sue    Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:43:10 +0800
Hi Sue, it is nice to hear that your local nurse also suggested coffee. Sounds to me that not only I had experienced positive effects from coffee, but others as well. Thanks for sharing. Very Happy Smiley
Alexander    Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:28:33 +0800
This is truly funny ... I was having bowel movements maybe once a week ... then, I began drinking coffee ... 1 x 20oz cup a day ... and now my system moves about every other day ... then, the assistant nurse in my doctor's office tells me that coffee is used to stop diarrhea ... MY CONCLUSION - Coffee ends constipation and promotes regularity.
Timothy    Sat, 26 Jan 2013 03:59:35 +0800
I've struggled with constant constipation for 3 months now and all I want is for it to stop, I don't care what I do. I don't know if coffee and soda is good or not, all I know is I use to drink it all the time, then I stopped, THEN I got constipated...I'm going to start drinking coffee again...
zina    Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:45:43 +0800
im not an aavid coffee drinker at all,in fact I hate the taste of it but, when I get irregular ,I drink a cup full n I go with ease !!!! coffee is my life saver at times !!!
sue    Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:19:56 +0800
Whenever I have constipation only white coffee works on me. I wonder why not just normal coffee.
jamie    Sat, 18 May 2013 03:30:46 +0800
i am 60 years old and have suffered with constipation the majority of my life...this past month i have drank about a cup or 2 a day, mainly because i was out of sodas, and there was nothing else to drink, and for the first time in my life have been regular, so i guess i'll be a regular coffee drinker now!
olive shouse    Fri, 19 Jul 2013 09:00:20 +0800
i'm in my late 40's and i've been having constipation most of my life. In the recent year i've been drinking coffee first thing in the morning (not early, around 9 or 10am), and it usually relieves constipation. i feel i almost have to rely on coffee to be normal in this regard.
celia    Wed, 24 Jul 2013 04:09:00 +0800
I drink decaffeinated coffee. If I drink regular coffee or any soda after 9am I will be up all night. So late at night when I'm constipated I drink a cup of decaffeinated coffee and it works. And I rarely ever drink anything hot I have to wait til it cools down.
Samantha    Tue, 30 Jul 2013 10:34:12 +0800
Daily, I would poop at least once. But when I started working at Starbucks and drinking more and more coffee, I stared pooping at least three times a day (which is the desired amount apparently). I really, truly believe coffee helps with your digestion.
Alicia McCutcheon    Tue, 06 Aug 2013 11:51:32 +0800
I take medications for back pain and they contipate me terrible . Any one think coffee will help
medicated    Tue, 18 Feb 2014 01:06:50 +0800
I'm 32 and have struggled with constipation ever since I was a child. I've tried more water, fiber, salads, less soda, and almost everything under the sun to stop or prevent constipation. I finally got disgusted with laxatives and Metamucil. I have never been a coffee drinker. Out of desperation I bought a coffee maker just 2 weeks ago. It has been a complete success! I literally have no problem going once daily now. I no longer feel sick, and truly feel like a brand new person. This experience so far has been life changing for me.
jane    Tue, 12 Aug 2014 16:54:56 +0100
how long after you drink will you poop?thanks anyway Very Happy Smiley
Jannie    Mon, 01 Sep 2014 11:02:00 +0100
I will bookmark this page and keep track on the comments. My parents have different opinions regarding coffee. I got constipated because of a vitamin supplement added with Iron (which I don't know that Iron can cause Constipation). I stopped drinking coffee as well as suggested by my parents. And it was a bad decision for 1 week. I love coffee.. After researching and because of this page, I will return again in the "mug life". Very Happy Smiley
Jesh    Sun, 07 Dec 2014 07:53:26 +0000
It's amazing that some people similar to me have overcome this problem with coffee ,like me. I have struggled with constipation ever since I was a child. My dr made tea forbidden for me, but it was not effective. After 3 months, due to my exams I needed caffeine to study, so drank coffee and figured out that I do not have this problem anymore. It is really a happy news for me, because now I know that this victory ( Very Happy Smiley ) has not been an accident and random thing!
kk    Mon, 08 Dec 2014 12:42:54 +0000
I have been constipated for about a week and I tried Asphalt Salt with warm water and that did not work at all. On Sunday I got up in the morning and made me some coffee. When I poured me a cup I DID NOT ADD ANYTHING AT ALL. It was plain unsweetened non milked coffee. I drunk it on an empty stomach. When I did drinked it it took about 30 minutes to an hour I had a bowel movement. It did not come out watery, but it was soft and smooth. It does depends on your body, but it does work. A word of advice when drinking coffee without sugar and milk it will taste VERY nasty, but the result are worth it. Happy Smiley . Happy Smiley
Go Mi Nam    Sun, 25 Jan 2015 16:31:39 +0000
I having constipation for two days.Its been a hard for me. this is my 4th time.Will coffee help me to relieve from constipation.Drinking coffee with milk and sugar will be good for constipation.
Cherian Thomas    Fri, 13 Feb 2015 15:18:14 +0000
When I drink coffee, yes my constipation goes away after drinking it, but my dad says my stomach is very sensitive to coffee. I don't like tea. I can drink black coffee with nothing in it, can that still help me with constipation? Thank you anyone who comments Happy Smiley Very Happy Smiley
Kayla    Mon, 11 May 2015 18:54:21 +0100
I read that caffeinated drinks should be avoided because they may cause dehydration and in turn would worsen the constipation, However I have and will use coffee as my go to for help .
Yolie    Fri, 28 Aug 2015 00:36:40 +0100
I have been suffering with constipation for the last few months. I went to my doctor with no relief and then I went to the ER and they took an x-Ray of my stomach and found that I was badly impacted. The doctor told me to give myself an anema that night and the next morning but that did not help. I called my doctor and she said if I had an impaction it could be to high up in my body for the enema to reach and she put me on some over the counter pills. That helped a little but my bowels were very watery and the enema and the pills cramped my stomach so bad until I would almost pass out. My bowels were watery for almost two weeks. Nothing I tried would help. I was so miseraable from the pain of struggling to have a bowel movement. But then I drank a cup of hot coffee and it seemed like I really had to go. Finally. I took some milk of magnesia and drank a cup of coffee and that did wonders. My bowels were not watery anymore. I have never drank coffee but I think that did the job so I will be drinking coffee at least once a day to keep myself regular.
Debra    Wed, 09 Sep 2015 20:51:09 +0100
As a sufferer of Diverculitis and abdominal adhesions. Together with anti spasmodics, stool softeners. I find a 'strong' cup of filter coffee gets things moving in the morning.
Jules Harrison    Thu, 26 Nov 2015 08:04:32 +0000
At 74 I have had constipation for the last several years and can't seem to get enough water in my diet. Lately one cup of coffee in the morning and life is easy once again. I am NOT a coffee drinker but flavored creamers are lovely
gail    Tue, 22 Dec 2015 17:49:40 +0000
Yes..There is something to be said about drinking regular coffee..I stopped recently thinking it causes hypertension..Note, it does not according to what I have read, but it does raise blood pressure temporarily..I also have been constipated it seems more frequently without it..Going back the java.
wamp    Sun, 31 Jan 2016 18:49:03 +0000
Four years ago i suffered from a kidney stone.This week i had another scare..Turned out because i had coffee from my diet,i was in fact badly constipated!Back to the coffee and voila!
Yes,when needed it really is the best Happy Smiley
Si    Tue, 16 Feb 2016 14:32:20 +0000
Am so happy to have found this site. 73 and fought with constipation forever. Drink coffee but add creamer and sweetener. Will drink it black now and hope for good results.
Pam    Fri, 25 Mar 2016 19:58:39 +0000
I suffer from constipation about every 4-6 weeks with the medication I take for OAB (which when constipated it pushes on my bladder making me pee more..). I found this site while having a low moment and getting more frustrated ...my dr. just says to take a daily stool softener and miralax (looking into alternatives to the OAB)_ but for right now I am going to try coffee in the AM...see if I can regular again like I used to be before the OAB.
TWood    Sat, 02 Apr 2016 00:10:06 +0100
My son is in prison and due to the poor quality of food there. . He gets constipated. He can get his hands on coffee though. You made a mom happy.
Cheryl    Tue, 12 Apr 2016 22:13:30 +0100
I drink coffee on a regular basis, about two medium cups a day (Starbucks/Tim Hortons) size, sometimes three. Although it helped in the past, it doesn't seem to make a difference anymore. Coffee does not help my constipation when I have it, plain and simple. It probably works on newbies and people who stopped drinking it for a while and went back, but if you are drinking it on a regular basis and you still get constipated, that kind of blows the coffee being the solution theory right out the window. Look elsewhere.
Mike    Mon, 12 Sep 2016 04:08:19 +0100
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