Is coffee good for constipation?

There’s are a combination of things that play into the drink’s laxative effect

By Heidi Borst | Aug. 15, 2023 Medically reviewed by Jesse P. Houghton, MD, FACG

Does the aroma of freshly brewed coffee get you out of bed in the morning? You’re not alone. Approximately 154 million (or 75%) of American adults drink coffee, and nearly half of U.S. adults drink it daily. Coffee consumption can improve mood, increase cognition, enhance exercise performance, and it helps some people with digestion. But is coffee a good remedy for constipation?

You’ve likely felt the need to go after drinking your morning coffee, and you might wonder if it can help when you feel backed up. Here’s what to know about coffee’s laxative properties and if it should be a go-to fix for constipation.

Why does coffee make you poop?

You’re not alone if your morning cup of joe sends you straight to the bathroom to poop, says Trent G. Orfanos, MD, director of Integrative and Functional Cardiology at Case Integrative Health in Chicago. One older study found that 29% of people reported an increased urge to defecate after drinking coffee.

Dr. Orfanos says that there are several reasons why coffee can make you poop. Research indicates that coffee contains acids that boost levels of gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) hormones. These hormones initiate a response called the gastrocolic reflex, which stimulates colon contractions and triggers the passage of waste through the rectum.

“The mechanism of how coffee stimulates motor activity (i.e. muscle contractions in the colon to propel the exit of stool) isn’t totally clear but some evidence for chemicals in coffee, like cholinergic acid and melanoidins, are what might have the greatest impact on colorectal contractions,” says Arun Swaminath, MD, chief of gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

The stimulating effect of drinking coffee when you wake up plays into the body’s natural digestive process. “Contractions in the colon tend to be strongest in the morning, which is also when most drink their daily coffee,” Dr. Orfano explains.

Coffee’s caffeine content enhances its laxative effect, says Shilpa Mehra Dang, MD, a double board-certified gastroenterologist and internist at Medical Offices of Manhattan. “Caffeine increases colon muscle contractions and stool movement, called peristalsis,” she says.

But how long does it take for coffee to make you poop? It varies, but the stimulating effects can kick in quickly, says Dr. Orfanos. Some people report moving their bowels as soon as four minutes after drinking coffee.

Dr. Dang explains that when you experience the laxative effects depends on your metabolism, general GI health, and your sensitivity to caffeine. Some people may feel the effects of coffee on their bowel movements 30 minutes to one hour after drinking it; in others, it might take a few hours—or it might not happen at all, she says.

Does coffee help with constipation?

Coffee may work as a natural laxative to get your bowels moving. However, it may not be a good long-term option to relieve constipation in everyone, according to Dr. Orfanos. Chronic constipation may signify an underlying condition, such as endocrine disorders like diabetes or hypothyroidism, and even neurological conditions.

Drinking too much coffee may exacerbate certain conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), glaucoma, or an overactive bladder, Dr. Orfanos points out. He says there are better ways than coffee to relieve constipation, like adequate hydration and plenty of fiber.

As far as scientific studies go, there is little direct research about how effective coffee is when treating constipation, says Dr. Dang. More research is needed to find a clear link.

In some cases, coffee consumption could even worsen constipation, she says. While caffeine stimulates some people’s gastrointestinal tracts, others may become constipated or have other bad reactions. According to Dr. Dang, coffee can cause or exacerbate constipation for the following reasons:

It can cause dehydration: Coffee, a diuretic, may cause dehydration, hardening feces, and causing constipation.
It can irritate the GI tract: Coffee’s acidity might irritate the stomach and intestines, which may increase constipation or gastrointestinal pain.
It can disturb the balance of the gut microbiome: Coffee may upset gut flora, which affects digestion and bowel regularity, leading to constipation.
It can cause dependency: Coffee’s laxative effects might become addictive and make bowel movements more difficult without it.

If coffee worsens or amplifies your constipation, Dr. Dang suggests you restrict or avoid it and try other diet and lifestyle adjustments.

Is decaf or regular coffee better for constipation?

Research shows that decaffeinated coffee may help you poop, too. Even hot water has been shown to speed up digestive system motility, so sipping a warm beverage can get things moving. But the caffeine in coffee increases its bowel-stimulating effect. One study found that caffeinated coffee stimulated activity in the colon 60% more than water and 23% more than decaf coffee. So if your goal is to lighten your load, coffee with caffeine is your best bet.

It’s generally safe to drink 400 mg of caffeine—about four to five cups of coffee—per day, says Ashley Baumohl, a registered dietitian at Northwell Health’s Lenox Hill hospital in New York. But it likely won’t take that much to get the laxative effect.

“Among those who report an impact on bowel function after drinking coffee, most feel the effects after a single, 8-ounce cup of coffee,” says Dr. Orfanos.

There’s no recommended coffee dose for constipation relief, says Dr. Dang. She says some individuals may experience a bowel movement after one or two cups of coffee, but there are no medical guidelines. If you have any health issues, see a healthcare provider before using coffee to treat constipation.

You can also find caffeine in tea, energy drinks, and some medicines. But Dr. Orfanos points out that coffee’s effect on digestive motility results from a combination of factors, so caffeine is only part of the puzzle. He says if you want that “need to go” effect you get from coffee, you won’t get it from a different caffeine source.

How long can you use coffee for constipation?

While coffee may be an acceptable option for occasional constipation relief, consult a healthcare provider for a long-term solution, says Dr. Orfanos.

When you’re trying to figure out why you’re constipated, Baumohl advises asking yourself if you can answer “yes” to the following questions:

Am I drinking enough fluids?
Am I taking in fiber-rich foods that contain soluble and insoluble fibers?
Am I taking any medications that may be slowing down my digestive tract?
Am I engaging in enough physical activity?

If you’re not already doing all the above, Dr. Dang suggests making the following changes:

Eat more whole grains, fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, and seeds to increase your fiber intake, which makes stools bulkier and promotes regularity.
Drink a lot of water throughout the day to keep yourself from dehydrating, which can worsen constipation.
Engage in regular physical exercise to help move your bowels and improve your overall gut health.

Aside from coffee, home remedies to relieve constipation include:

If you can’t resolve long-term constipation on your own, you should see your primary care provider or a gastroenterologist. They can perform additional testing, such as a colonoscopy and/or motility studies, according to Dr. Swaminath, or they may also recommend a prescription medication to treat functional constipation.

The bottom line? Coffee for constipation may work in a pinch but shouldn’t be relied on long-term, at least without checking with your provider first.