If you are a smoker, you probably have a routine when it comes to having a cigarette. You may take it after a meal, when you wake up, or while drinking coffee.
Well, have you noticed that you poop after your coffee and cigarette break? Maybe you’ve never thought twice about it. But there is a reason that happens. Let’s discuss it.
Laxative Effects of Coffee and Cigarettes
While you may be aware of coffee’s laxative effects, it may surprise you that cigarettes have the same effect on our bowels.
That means it can free up the stuck stool in your colon, enabling you to have a bowel movement.
Anything with a laxative effect can stimulate your stomach muscles to contract and push stool out of your system.
Nicotine and caffeine have these types of laxative effects on the system. It’s why you poop after drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette.
Stimulating Effect of Coffee and Cigarettes
Coffee on its own stimulates your stomach to digest food which may encourage your intestines to move things along.
It does that by stimulating the release of bile in your stomach, alerting your intestines to push any poop out.
Coffee also causes the release of Gastrin, a hormone that encourages the motility of your intestinal tract. That means it helps your intestines to move food along and absorb the nutrients and electrolytes in it.
Cigarettes also have the same effect on the digestive system as coffee. The nicotine in them encourages the release of chlorogenic acid in the stomach, which increases gastric and stomach acid levels in the digestive system. That, too, stimulates gastrointestinal motility.
However, while coffee and cigarettes can make you poop, they also have an unhealthy effect on your system. People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) will notice a worsening of their intestinal problems after taking coffee. That may partly be due to the acidity in coffee and its negative effect on the stomach lining.
Additives Used in Coffee
Adding sugar, milk, or creamer to your coffee can also cause you to poop. That may be because of the gastrointestinal discomfort caused by lactose in milk and creamer.
Additives and sugar alcohols like guar gum, xanthine, and carrageenan found in some sweeteners can also have a negative effect on your digestive system.
Therefore, whether you drink a black cup of coffee or add milk to it, you can expect some bowel movements, especially if you drink too many cups.
You can minimize your chances of suffering gastrointestinal discomfort after taking coffee with milk or sugar by using dairy-free milk alternatives. Some examples are oat milk and almond milk.
Healthy sweeteners such as Stevia, Honey, Maple Syrup, and Molasses are also great options.
Can Taking Decaf Coffee Make You Poop?
You may suffer from caffeine – sensitivity and decide to drink decaf while smoking a cigarette. Will it have the same effect on your digestive system as when you take regular coffee?
Decaffeinated coffee also stimulates bowel movements and encourages better digestion. It only does it at a lower level because it lacks caffeine.
That’s because coffee contains other ingredients that may encourage you to poop. An example is Chlorogenic Acid, a substance that stimulates the stomach to release digestive acids and enzymes.
These acids and enzymes speed up the digestive process, pushing things along in the intestines, and leading to a bowel movement.
Coffee Alternatives That Can Help You Poop
As you can see, coffee has a stimulating effect on your digestive system, which is why it helps you poop. But it can also cause caffeine sensitivity issues and worsen health problems such as high blood pressure.
Therefore, you should find a healthy coffee alternative to stimulate your digestive system if you suffer from constipation. A good example is chicory coffee.
Chicory root is roasted like coffee beans and used to brew coffee. Chicory coffee tastes just like regular coffee and is excellent for digestion due to its Inulin content.
Inulin is a soluble fiber that promotes healthy digestion by increasing the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It also stimulates the gallbladder to produce bile which enhances the digestive process, especially regarding fat digestion.
Chicory coffee is brewed the same as regular coffee using ground, roasted chicory root. 2 tbsps of chicory coffee powder are enough to make a 6 – ounces cup of chicory coffee. Try it if you’re looking for a healthy caffeine alternative.
Another option is Date seed coffee which is made by roasting and grinding date seeds. Unlike other coffee alternatives, date seed coffee is an energizer you can drink to experience the same boost you get from coffee.
Date seed coffee doesn’t cause anxiety, heart palpitations, insomnia, or stomach upsets. It also helps in digestion due to its high fiber content.
You can expect Date coffee to taste just like coffee. It also has a beautiful aroma and is rich in antioxidants that can prevent blood sugar-related issues, cancer, and heart ailments.
Date seed coffee is the best beverage to take if you are looking for a coffee alternative with similar characteristics to coffee.
Another good coffee alternative is MUD\WTR. It is made using spices, Chaga, Reishi, Lionmane, and Cordyceps mushrooms.
MUD\WTR will give you a great boost of energy without causing any jitters because it has very little caffeine. It also makes excellent beverages such as Lattes when combined with MCT oil and milk alternatives like oat milk. Try it, if you’re looking for a healthy beverage with very little caffeine to start your day.
You may also choose a coffee with gut-enhancing capabilities, such as Vitacup Probiotic coffee. It will increase the gut flora in your digestive system without upsetting your stomach or causing caffeine sensitivity.
Conclusion
While the claims that coffee and cigarettes can make you poop are true, cigarette smoking is harmful to your health. It can increase your chances of getting Gallstones, Pancreatitis, and Peptic Ulcers.
Taking too much coffee can also dehydrate you or cause you to suffer caffeine sensitivity issues.
It’s best to drink coffee in moderation and find other healthier ways of having a regular bowel movement.
These include taking the coffee alternatives suggested above, eating fiber-rich foods, drinking more water, and staying active.
Once you include these things into your daily routine, you won’t have to rely on coffee or cigarettes to poop.
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