Why Does Coffee Make You Poop? The Science Explained

If you’re someone who heads straight for the bathroom after your morning brew, you’re not alone. For many people, coffee stimulates an almost immediate urge to poop. But why does this happen? Let’s dive into the science behind your gut’s reaction to that daily cup of Overclock Coffee.

Caffeine Isn’t the Only Culprit

Many assume caffeine is solely responsible, but research shows that even decaffeinated coffee can stimulate bowel movements (Brown et al., 1990). That means it’s not just about the buzz—coffee has multiple compounds that affect your gastrointestinal system.

Key Players:

• Chlorogenic acids: Found in both regular and decaf, these stimulate gastric acid secretion, aiding digestion (Boekema et al., 1999).
• Gastrin: Coffee promotes the release of this hormone, which increases colonic motor activity (Brown et al., 1990).
• Motilin: A hormone linked to gut movement that coffee may trigger, enhancing the urge to poop (Cappell & Colon, 2010).

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How Coffee Affects the Digestive Tract

Effect	What It Does
Gastric acid production	Enhances digestion and stomach contractions
Colon stimulation	Increases motility and transit speed
Gallbladder contraction	Releases bile, which helps digestion and movement

Coffee’s acidity and temperature can also irritate the stomach lining slightly, triggering movement through the gut. And let's not forget the ritual aspect, your body may condition itself to expect action after your daily Overclock brew.

Does This Happen to Everyone?

Not necessarily. While studies estimate that 30-40% of people experience a laxative effect from coffee (Brown et al., 1990), others may not feel anything at all. Sensitivity depends on genetics, diet, and even hydration levels.

"Individual variations in bowel response to coffee likely stem from both neural and hormonal factors." (Boekema et al., 1999)

Should You Be Concerned?

For most people, this reaction is harmless and even beneficial, consider it nature’s cleanse. However, excessive coffee intake can lead to dehydration or gastrointestinal discomfort. If you’re going too often or too urgently, you might want to adjust your brew strength, milk choice, or caffeine load.

Overclock Pairings: Brew Smart, Poop Happy

If you're sensitive to coffee’s gut effect but still want the Overclock flavor experience, try these blends:

Blend	Roast Type	Impact
Zombie Espresso Antidote	Dark Roast	High caffeine, strong effect
Cinna-Bun Games	Medium Roast	Balanced, lower acid, smoother go
Cookies and S’Creams	Flavored	Dessert vibe, gentle on digestion

Final Thoughts

Yes, coffee might make you poop. And while that’s not always ideal timing, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Whether it’s the compounds, hormones, or ritual that moves your gut, science backs up the buzz.

At Overclock, we say embrace it. Just maybe don’t schedule your next Zoom call right after your first sip.

References

Boekema, P. J., Samsom, M., van Berge Henegouwen, G. P., & Smout, A. J. (1999). Coffee and gastrointestinal function: Facts and fiction. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. Supplement, (230), 35–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/003655299750025734

Brown, S. R., Cann, P. A., & Read, N. W. (1990). Effect of coffee and tea on distal colon function. Gut, 31(4), 450–453. https://gut.bmj.com/content/31/4/450

Cappell, M. S., & Colon, V. J. (2010). Effects of food, caffeine, and other lifestyle choices on lower gastrointestinal motility. Gastrointestinal Disorders Journal, 18(2), 123–130. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20432125/