In this brief article, we will provide you with the answer to the question: “Why can coffee make you gassy?”, and discuss the other problems that ingesting coffee can cause.
Why can coffee make you gassy?
Caffeine in coffee can be to blame for flatulence, but anything added to coffee, such as milk, may also be to blame. Coffee can also aggravate an underlying (pre-existing) digestive problem, such as irritable bowel syndrome, which can cause gas. Caffeine-induced acid stimulation might cause stomach discomfort.
Decaffeinated coffee can also cause the problem
Even if you consume decaf coffee, there is still some caffeine there. A cup of decaf coffee still contains about 3 mg to 5 mg of caffeine. While this is not a lot of caffeine in comparison to ordinary coffee – a standard cup has roughly 40 mg to 180 mg – it can pile up if you drink many cups a day and can cause gas and flatulence, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine.
Indigestion is used to describe the sensation of pain, an upset stomach, and, in some cases, bloating or gas that happens after eating or drinking. A possible strategy to treat indigestion is refraining from coffee, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
Coffee combinations that can cause this problem
Consuming coffees enriched with dairy products might produce flatulence in persons who are lactose intolerant (those who are allergic to the sugar found in milk).
This occurs when the body is unable to break down lactose, resulting in symptoms such as diarrhea and bloating in addition to gas. Abdominal discomfort can also be caused by lactose intolerance.
For people who already know they have the condition, one alternative is to avoid or limit dairy products, or to stick to lactose-free milk and derivatives, such as vegetable milk.
Also, some sugar substitutes like sorbitol and xylitol – which the body has trouble digesting – can cause gas.
Drinking coffee can aggravate digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, causing symptoms such as gas to resurface.
As a result, if you have been diagnosed with any type of sickness, ask your doctor what your diet should be like from now on so that the diet helps to regulate the symptoms rather than encouraging their presence.
If you feel that coffee causes gas, you can experiment by reducing your intake, switching to decaf coffee, or consuming the drink without sweetening to see what occurs.
Another tip is to avoid using dairy products as a side dish if you have other symptoms of lactose intolerance to see how you feel. If this is the case for you, you should consult a doctor for a correct diagnosis and treatment.
Other reasons for the problem
In addition to knowing if coffee generates gas, it is critical to recognize that the quantity of gasses emitted by our bodies is influenced by more than only the foods and beverages we consume.
The gasses we emit are formed not only by the food we ingest but also by the air we swallow, which ends up traveling through the gastrointestinal system. Gas is caused by a combination of two factors: the air we swallow when we eat too rapidly and the food we eat.
Major gastrointestinal diseases might sometimes be the root cause of gas. They can still be linked to the use of certain drugs, as well as issues with the gut microbiota.
The quantity of gas we have is directly connected to the amount of undigested food and/or air in our colon for individuals who do not have a background condition (to create gas, such as gastrointestinal sickness).
Flatulence is a natural bodily function. It is recommended to seek medical attention if there are changes in bowel habits that do not resolve on their own, such as cramping, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, a lack of flatulence, or the development of a large amount of gas.
What are the other problems that coffee ingestion can cause?
Caffeine in coffee may induce overdose if ingested in large amounts. According to studies, a concentration of 50 mg per ml of blood can be lethal. It is worth mentioning that obtaining these quantities of this drug by drinking coffee is basically impossible since an average cup of this beverage has 260 mg of caffeine.
However, we must exercise caution because caffeine is found in sources other than coffee. As a result, some studies recommend that you limit your coffee consumption to half a cup to three cups per day, and never exceed six cups per day.
In addition to overdose, other problems can be caused by too much coffee, such as:
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Nausea and diarrhea
- Hand tremors
- Increase in blood pressure
- Accelerated heartbeat
- Elevated cholesterol levels.
Click here to check these benefits with more details.
Excessive coffee drinking may be harmful to one’s health; yet, if drank in moderation, this beverage provides a number of health advantages. Among the benefits mentioned in the literature are:
- Reducing the chance of acquiring Parkinson’s disease by up to 80%;
- Asthma attacks are reduced.
- Inhibition of dental caries formation;
- Antioxidant source;
- Improvement in cognitive functions, hence assisting in intellectual activities
Other FAQs about Coffee that you may be interested in.
Which one has more caffeine: coffee or coke?
What is the difference between cappuccino and coffee?
What is the difference between mocha and chocolate?
Conclusion
In this brief article, we will provide you with the answer to the question: “Why can coffee make you gassy?”, and discuss the other problems that ingesting coffee can cause.
References
“Coffee and Flatulence | Livestrong.Com.” Accessed March 4, 2022. https://www.livestrong.com/article/517847-coffee-flatulence/.
Leite, Dra Patricia. “Café Dá Gases?” MundoBoaForma (blog), November 21, 2019. https://www.mundoboaforma.com.br/cafe-da-gases/.
Brasil Escola. “Riscos do consumo exagerado de café: quais são?” Accessed March 4, 2022. https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/saude/riscos-consumo-exagerado-cafe.htm.
