Does coffee make you poop?

You’ve probably been there. One minute you’re in a morning meeting sipping a double-shot latte, the next you’re awkwardly shuffling in your seat ready to make a beeline for the toilet.

Yes, coffee poops are real. And while it might not be the most glamorous watercooler conversation, it is nevertheless an important topic to debunk.

As coffee is one of the largest sources of caffeine (a stimulant that can make you feel alert and boost your energy levels¹) you might be quick to blame said caffeine for your post-coffee dash to the bathroom.

But surprisingly, the effect of caffeine on your bowels is a little murky, with one study suggesting that both caffeinated and decaf coffee can each necessitate a number two.²

The exact reason behind why coffee (with or without caffeine) makes you poop isn’t definitive.

There’s just not enough evidence to pinpoint the exact triggers. Rather, the effect is likely the result of a combination of factors.

What is clearer, though, is the process that occurs from coffee to toilet.

“Whilst caffeine plays a small role, the main pathway by which drinking coffee increases colonic activity leading to defecation is thought to be through gastrin production,” says Dr Chelsie McMullin, a GP and Bupa Medical Advisor.

“Coffee appears to stimulate the production of the hormone gastrin which then increases the release of digestive enzymes in the stomach.”

This effect helps stimulate your gut, and “the overall result is that a bowel motion is often passed,” Dr McMullin concludes.

Aside from coffee jump-starting your gut’s outgoing activity, another reason you may get that urgent need-to-poop feeling could simply come down to the time of day.

When you wake, an alarm clock goes off in your colon, signalling it to get things moving. It begins to contract much more strongly than when you are sleeping, preparing itself for the business ahead.²

Could milk also be responsible for the morning mad-dash? Well, maybe.

For those who may have a sensitivity or an intolerance to milk, you might experience symptoms like bloating, cramps, increased gas and diarrhoea.³ This is the result of an inability to digest the sugars (lactose) found in dairy products.

If you relate to any of these poop-inducing symptoms, check with your doctor to find out if you might be lactose intolerant. And if you are, it doesn’t mean you have to switch your latte for a long black. There are plenty of dairy-free options out there, like almond, soy and oat milk, plus lactose-free cow milk).

Regardless of the causes behind why coffee makes some people sprint to the bathroom, “studies to date have been inconsistent with their results and the exact mechanism is still not fully understood,” Dr McMullin says.

So, if you’re asking if coffee makes everyone need to poop, the answer is no. It doesn’t affect everyone the same way.

“Part of the inconsistency in the results of the studies is likely due to the fact that the effect of coffee seems to vary widely from person to person,” explains Dr McMullin. “Some people have no effect at all whilst others are profoundly sensitive to it.”

“Understanding how much coffee is appropriate for you is all about knowing your own body,” Dr McMullin adds. “As always, moderation is often key.”

So, whether that morning latte has you running for the toilet or just running on all cylinders, it’s important to know your body and its relationship with things like coffee. Maybe with a little modification, you can turn that mad-dash into a casual stroll.