Coffee is well known to start your day and lift your mood, but many may not realize its many health benefits for their bowels. A morning cup of java can promote regular bowel movements, boost your gut microbiota and even prevent chronic diseases due to caffeine and other compounds present. The best time of day to drink it for this purpose is in the morning when colon and intestinal muscles are active; be careful if using creamers with lactose that could trigger digestive issues for those intolerant of lactose consumption!

Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant which increases energy and prompts your colon and intestinal muscles to contract and move stool through your system. In addition, other compounds like chlorogenic acids and N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamides present in coffee may aid bowel movement as well.

Caffeine stimulates activity deep within your colon, which can help if you’re experiencing constipation or looking to improve regularity. Caffeine also encourages production of the hormone glucagon which increases water in the large intestine and induces more frequent bowel movements (14). If this doesn’t do it for you, prescription GLP-1 medications work with your natural processes to stimulate bowel movements and reduce constipation more effectively than ever.

By adding milk or cream to your coffee, it could prompt a bowel movement as dairy contains lactase enzyme. Around 65% of people cannot digest lactose properly which can lead to bloating, stomach cramps or diarrhea (15).

Another possible explanation for why your bowels might move after drinking a cup of coffee may be because dairy products contain high-fat contents that cause your gallbladder to release additional digestive juices, leading to diarrhea (16). This causes increased fluid in your small intestine and could increase digestive juice release resulting in diarrhea (16).

Coffee’s effects on healthy bowels vary, but most people find that drinking a cup can stimulate their bowels and aid regularity in passing waste products. To get the most from your coffee cup, enjoy it first thing in the morning before breakfast with no additives and limit total caffeine intake to approximately 400 mg daily (that’s four or five regular caffeinated cups) along with eating foods rich in fiber, protein and healthy fats.

Simply put, drinking coffee in moderation can be an excellent way to start your day and help keep your bowels healthy. Just remember not to add too much milk or cream, track added sugar intake carefully, and proceed with caution when using at-home or clinical enemas.

If you aren’t experiencing regular bowel movements, speak to your physician. Other strategies that may help promote regularity include eating a high-fiber diet, staying hydrated, exercising daily, setting set meals and sleep schedules and including probiotics in your diet.