So, can coffee really cause bloating? The short answer is yes, it can. Coffee is a natural laxative that stimulates the muscles in your digestive system, which can lead to an increase in bowel movements. This can cause the production of gas, leading to bloating and discomfort.
The acid in coffee can irritate your stomach. That irritation can cause swelling in the belly, which presents as bloating in some coffee drinkers. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach will cause the most acid production. That's why it's more likely to lead to bloating and gas than drinking coffee with your breakfast.
There are many ways to get rid of coffee bloat, and they are more straightforward than you may think. The most important thing is to eat a lot of fresh, water-rich fruits (especially potassium-rich bananas, strawberries, and kiwis) and vegetables. They contain plenty of fibre that can improve digestion.
Caffeine stimulates gastrin release and gastric acid secretion (including hydrochloric acid), which can lead to acid reflux and heartburn. A 2001 study found that coffee causes the stomach to enlarge more than the same quantity of water, which may result in a feeling of fullness or bloat [4].
Overconsumption of coffee
The caffeine content can stimulate the digestive system and increase the production of gastric acid, leading to heartburn, acid reflux, and bloating. It's recommended that individuals consume no more than roughly 400 mg of caffeine per day, which is equivalent to about 4-5 cups of coffee.
For only a small number of people, if you are sensitive to caffeine, an overexcited digestive tract can lead to bloating. Many people with digestive issues already might experience more bloating when they drink coffee. Now, if coffee causes your stomach to bloat, you may experience constipation as well.
Caffeine and IBD
Clinical practice guidelines recommend that people with IBD avoid caffeine1, though there is very little specific evidence that links caffeine to causing or worsening IBD symptoms. Some people choose to avoid it due to some of the side effects it can have which may affect their IBD.
Caffeine is one of the foods that can speed up your gut motility. If you have IBS, you may be hyper-sensitive to these faster contractions. As a result, you may have IBS symptoms like stomach pain and diarrhea.
Drink Plenty of Water
Whether you had a little too much alcohol or had a giant cheeseburger, drinking plenty of water can help you debloat overnight—or even faster, says Burgess. "Although it may sound counterproductive to drink more, water can actually help flush our system and reduce the puffiness."
The action of coffee on stomach acid secretion has raised the issue of a possible increase in dyspepsia (poor digestion, discomfort, nausea, heartburns, eructation, and flatulence), or esophageal burns, gastritis or ulcers, and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Green Tea. Green tea is a great option for those struggling to reduce bloating. Green tea is known for assisting gut health and its anti-inflammatory properties. This tea contains caffeine which can be important in stimulating your digestive tract, allowing it to get back to its regular state.
For people with gut conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis, coffee's acidity may be particularly problematic, causing flare-ups and unpleasant symptoms such as cramping and diarrhea.
One study showed coffee can increase the need for a bowel movement within 4 minutes of consumption! This is especially troublesome for those with diarrhea-predominant IBS since motility is already faster than it should be. Coffee may therefore worsen symptoms in people with diarrhea-predominant IBS.
A recent study showed that consuming 2 to 3 cups of homemade yogurt - containing Lactobacillus - on a daily basis lead to the complete relief of IBS symptoms along with 1-2 normal bowel movements daily. Out of the 189 IBS patients in the study, 169 achieved complete improvement of symptoms within 6 months.
Coffee Affects Gut Hormones
Coffee stimulates the increase in production of several hormones such as gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) which are involved in a response called the gastrocolic reflex, which stimulates contractions in your gut and moves poop toward your rectum for removal.
The Link Between Coffee and Inflammation
Research suggests that coffee does not cause inflammation in most people—even if your norm is more than one or two caffeinated cups. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Coffee may have anti-inflammatory effects in the body.
With caffeine sensitivity, you will experience adverse symptoms after drinking caffeine, such as jitteriness, headaches, diarrhea, and insomnia. Symptoms like these can occur to anyone when they drink too much coffee, but caffeine sensitivity is an abnormal response that occurs at typically smaller doses.
Brodell adds: “Caffeine sensitivity can manifest as a racing heartbeat, headaches, nausea, anxiousness, and difficulty sleeping.