Can Coffee Cause Bloating? Essential Facts!

Are you someone who wants to enjoy your cup of coffee, yet don’t want to give yourself to indigestion? Well, you are not alone. For many coffee lovers, it is difficult to bear this thought and live a life without coffee. There is nothing problematic about this energy booster drink however some believe it interferes with their gut and causes indigestion. Yeah! They may be right because coffee is known to stimulate digestion and act as a diuretic which sounds good. Unfortunately for some people, it causes stomach discomfort due to its hyperactivity. 

Does coffee cause bloating? 

Hmm….the answer is both yes and no! The problem could not be entirely with coffee grounds. It could also be due to what you add to your coffee like milk or sweeteners. For some the problems could stem out due to lactose intolerance they have towards dairy products. Here, we will try to find an answer to the question of whether coffee causes bloating. Also, we aim to provide you with a few tips that you can make use of to avoid coffee bloat. 

So, without any further ado, here we go!

Overview Of Bloating And Gut Health

Bloating feels like a fullness and tightness in the abdomen that causes a lot of discomfort. The culprit is the gas that fills the gastrointestinal tract and gets trapped inside leading to visible distension.

Consuming carbonated beverages, high-fiber foods, and dairy products can all be the reasons for bloating. When we eat food fast it leads to swallowing air inadvertently; the same can happen with chewing gum as well.

In addition to this some medical conditions such as Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Gastroesophageal disease (GERD) as well lead to gas formation and bloating. Hormonal changes in women also make them susceptible to bloating. 

Can coffee cause bloating?

Now let’s address the elephant in the room. Caffeine, the primary agent in coffee, is the one that gives us refreshment when we drink it. However, this stimulant has a downside—it stimulates the digestive tract resulting in bloating.

Having said that coffee can promote digestion as well as it contains gastric, biliary, and pancreatic secretions that could aid digestion. Many times it has been seen that the effects of coffee differ from person to person.

A lot depends on the type of coffee consumed, how it has been prepared, and the individual sensitivities. If you observe that whenever you drink coffee you develop bloating. Well, then let’s face it—you have caffeine intolerance and better opt for some other beverages.

What other concerns do coffee possess?

The caffeine content in coffee is a risk factor for many as having it in excess can lead to increased heart rate, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Another problem with coffee drinks is their interference with the digestive processes as they can worsen acid reflux and cause an upset stomach.

Regular and mindless use of coffee can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms like headaches and irritability. As hinted before, using coffee amounting to abuse can result in hypertension and cardiovascular problems. 

Ways to Limit the Coffee Bloat

Trying the following ways can help limit coffee bloat. 

• Stay hydrated: Drinking adequate amounts of water is the best thing you can do to fight the bad effects of bloating as it would flush out excess sodium from your body and improve the condition. 
• Avoid drinking on an empty stomach: In most cases, drinking coffee on an empty stomach leads to problems and it is advisable to drink coffee along with snacks.
• Choose low-acid coffee: Do your homework on choosing low-acid coffee variants so that you can minimize stomach irritation.
• Limit additives: Do not consume sugar, cream, or for that matter artificial sweeteners as they all can contribute to bloating. 
• Eat slowly: Eat food by chewing it slowly to prevent the chances of swallowing air to prevent bloating. 

Conclusion

To summarize, we discussed how the intake of coffee can contribute to bloating and affect digestion. Simultaneously, we also explained the common causes of bloating and talked about its major implications on overall gut health. Following this, the downsides of drinking coffee and preventing coffee bloat were also touched upon. 

Drinking adequate amounts of water to stay hydrated, and avoiding gas-producing foods can go a long way to prevent coffee bloat. In addition, avoiding the consumption of coffee on an empty stomach and engaging in light activities has worked for many. Those who cannot think of spending their day without coffee can limit additives like sugar and cream and opt for low-acid coffee varieties.

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