Generally, if your gut health is good, coffee should be perfectly fine for you to consume. In fact, it may be beneficial to digestive health due to its anti-inflammatory properties. About two cups of coffee per day are likely good for overall health.
The good news, however, is that coffee can actually improve bacterial balance. It's been proven that coffee can be very beneficial to health if you don't overdo it — i.e. drink more than five cups a day. In the context of gut bacteria, drinking coffee, especially black, can be very beneficial.
There has been an ample of evidence claiming that drinking coffee can improve the gut microbiome and maintain metabolism. In human body, about 10 trillion microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa and 1,000 microbial strains are present in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Black coffee also reduces the inflammation level in the body. Black coffee is the powerhouse of antioxidants. Black coffee contains Vitamin B2, B3, B5, Manganese, potassium and magnesium. Drinking black coffee daily helps to reduce the risk of diabetes which in later age can lead to organ damage and heart diseases.
First, caffeine itself acts as a stimulant and has been found to increase the number of helpful bacteria in the intestines. Second, compounds in coffee such as polyphenols have been shown to have a prebiotic effect on the body, which means they help feed existing beneficial bacteria in the intestines.
As for coffee directly affecting the probiotic you consume, Chen says it's unlikely to cause an issue. "There's no good evidence that coffee will hurt it," she says.
While all coffee contains anti-inflammatory properties, whether or not it affects the inflammatory response can depend on the concentration of caffeine, how your body reacts to it, your genetics, and your age. Some evidence suggests that coffee may increase inflammation in some people.
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.
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.
Gastric acid secretion is stimulated primarily by histamine released from enterochromaffin-like cells in response to gastrin (17). Gastric juice consists of HCl and pepsin and can kill bacteria within 15 min when the pH is less than 3.0 (8). If the pH is raised above 4.0, bacterial overgrowth may occur.
Both green tea and matcha tea are fantastic gut-friendly coffee alternatives. Key benefits include: Promoting healthy gut bacteria. Disrupting the growth of disease-causing bacteria.
Caffeine can increase diarrhea, another major symptom of IBS. High sources of caffeine include coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate and some over-the-counter pain relievers designed for headache relief — check labels carefully.
Because of the acidity of caffeine, the amount of gastric secretions increases from caffeine exposure and use. This can cause irritation of the intestinal lining of the stomach causing stomach upset in some people. High amounts of caffeine have been linked to ulcers and gastritis.
An anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, good quality sleep, and probiotics are all strategies to put in place before trying antimicrobials or antibiotics to get rid of bad bacteria.
These properties are thought to help balance the bacteria in your stomach, keeping harmful bacteria at bay. As a result, some believe that taking apple cider vinegar may help balance your gut bacteria and keep bloating to a minimum.
Eating a healthy diet, avoiding processed foods (which contain additives, some of which may be associated with IBD flares), exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and getting enough sleep are all keys to staying healthy with IBD.
The biggest way to tell if your leaky gut is healing is when your energy and vitality have returned, you've regained mental clarity, your mood has improved, you've returned to your ideal weight, and you feel like your best self. It's important to remember that, as with most health concerns, gut health is on a spectrum.
“In a previous ACS study that used data from the full 1.2 million men and women in the CPS-II cohort, we found that coffee drinkers who didn't smoke had a lower risk of death from colorectal cancer, and their risk was slightly lower if they drank decaffeinated coffee.
One of the primary effects of caffeine on the digestive tract is stomach irritation and gastrointestinal distress. It stimulates movement in the digestive tract in some people. Too much caffeine can also have a laxative effect and cause discomfort in the lower digestive tract.