Does Decaffeinated Coffee Make You Poop?
Many people drink coffee to increase alertness and energy levels throughout the day. If you are one of these people, you may have thought about switching to decaffeinated coffee in order to reduce some of the potential physical and mental side-effects of drinking too much caffeine. But does decaffeinated coffee make you poop?
What Does Caffeine Do?
Caffeine is known to be a diuretic, meaning that it causes the body to lose water through urine. However, it can also act as a stimulant on the digestive system, causing contractions and increasing the speed of digestion. This can lead to increased bowel movements and urgency to defecate.
Does Decaffeinated Coffee Have The Same Effect?
It is unlikely that drinking decaffeinated coffee will cause the same digestive effect as drinking coffee that contains caffeine. Decaffeinated coffee is typically processed to remove nearly all of the caffeine from the beans, meaning that its digestive effects are likely mild or non-existent.
What About Decaf Tea?
Tea is a caffeinated beverage, meaning that the decaffeination process may have slightly different results than for coffee. It is possible that decaf tea could still contain enough caffeine to act as a digestive stimulant, resulting in increased bowel movements.
Are There Other Benefits To Decaffeinated Coffee?
Despite the lack of potential digestive effects from decaffeinated coffee, there are still several reasons why some people may choose to drink it. Here are just a few of the potential benefits of decaffeinated coffee:
- Reduced Anxiety. Caffeine can lead to increased anxiety levels. By drinking decaffeinated coffee, you can avoid this problem.
- Improved Sleep Quality. Caffeine can interfere with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, resulting in lighter and less restful sleep. Decaf coffee can help you sleep better.
- Reduced Risk of Heart Disease. Caffeine has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Decaffeinated coffee can reduce this risk.
Conclusion
The answer to the question “does decaffeinated coffee make you poop” is unlikely. Since decaffeinated coffee is processed to remove most of the caffeine, it is unlikely that it will have any significant effect on your digestion. However, there are still many potential benefits to drinking decaffeinated coffee that go beyond digestive effects.
