Does coffee make you poop black (can coffee change stool color + more information)

The color of poop changes depending on the food or beverage we consume. But does coffee make you poop black?

Sometimes coffee will make you poop black. Sometimes last year, I noted that my poop was exceptionally black. It was not normal, and with the understanding that my diet could cause a change in poop color, I launched an investigation. I learned that whenever I took my favorite espresso shots, my poop would be darker than usual. If you are experiencing dark poop after drinking coffee, read on to know the cause and what you should do. In this post, I will tell you why poop may turn black after taking coffee and other impacts of coffee on the digestive system.

Can coffee change poop color to black?

Coffee can change the color of your poop to black. The type of food you eat or some medication may cause a change in the color of your poop. The normal color of poop is any shade of brown. If, after taking coffee, you notice your poop is black, the reason could be that the digestion process did not change the dark color of coffee, and hence it got embedded in feces, turning it black. It is common for the color of food to be present in the feces. For instance, when you eat green vegetables such as spinach, you can have green poop.

Another reason that your poop is black is that it may contain blood. Blood turns black when it clots, and black poop may be an indication of a serious health problem. The most common underlying problem behind a bloody stool is peptic ulcers. But how does taking coffee cause blood in stool? The caffeine in coffee increases the level of acidity in your stomach. It contains acidic compounds such as N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamine and chlorogenic acids. If you are suffering from peptic ulcers, increased acid is abrasive in your gut where the peptic ulcers are, causing them to bleed. The blood appears black in the poop. Such a case requires immediate medical attention and complete withdrawal from taking any more coffee.

Can too much coffee cause black stool?

Coffee can cause black stool. Coffee from dark and medium dark roast levels are black in color. If you consume too much of such coffee, sometimes your stool may turn black. Such is not always the case because other food items you consume during the day, bile juice and stomach acid, influences the color of poop and may dominate the color change. Therefore, the coffee may change or not change depending on the influence of other materials inside the gut.

Why does coffee make my poop weird?

Sometimes your poop may look weird after consuming coffee. Such is caused by increased bile production and increased acid in the stomach. Although the stomach environment is acidic, coffee increases acidity because of its acidic compounds, such as N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamine and chlorogenic. The increased acidity and bile juices may slightly change the texture of the poop, making it watery and may also change its color. The color changes may not be noticeable unless to a keen observer.

Can coffee make me poop?

Yes, coffee makes you poop- in other words, it stimulates the urge to defecate. Coffee is the greatest source of caffeine, and a single cup contains about 95mg of caffeine. You probably know coffee as a good stimulant or energy booster. While it does that, it can also increase your urge to visit the loo for a long call. According to Healthline, caffeine initiates peristalsis in the colon. Peristalsis is the contraction and relaxation of parts of the digestive system that pushes the contents of the gut forward. Caffeine initiates such contractions in the colon and hence pushes the contents towards the rectum, which makes you feel the urge to poop. Caffeine can increase your urge to poop 60% more than water.

Decaf coffee also activates the contraction of the colon walls activating the urge to poop. Since decaf coffee does not contain caffeine, it means that coffee has other compounds besides caffeine that stimulates you to poop. Studies have suggested that compounds such as N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamine and chlorogenic acids in coffee cause the stomach to produce acid. The acid quickens the churning of food and fastens its movement down the gut.

Finally, bowel action -digestion and expulsion of feces- is fastened when we take a meal. You will notice that the urge to poop mostly comes when you take a meal. Although coffee is not a meal, it can produce the same effects as a meal. Additionally, those who take coffee in the morning may experience more urge to poop than those who take it at any other time of the day because, according to the National Library of Medicine, the gut is twice as active when you wake up than when asleep.

Does coffee cause diarrhea?

Coffee can cause diarrhea. First, coffee contains caffeine which has a laxative effect. It also has compounds that have a laxative effect, which means that decaf coffee has the potential to cause diarrhea. Secondly, coffee contains compounds that increase the movement of bowels. They speed up the peristalsis process in the colon, which reduces the amount of time taken to reabsorb water from the feces. Lack of adequate reabsorption of water results in watery stool, which is known as diarrhea.

Why does my poop have coffee grounds?

The poop has coffee grounds because some of the coffee you take is not sieved, and the grounds are not digested. Items that are not digestible in our guts may sometimes show up in poop. Coffee grounds are not different. If your poop is light in color, you will see such specs. It should, however, not worry you because it has no negative health implications.

How fast will black coffee make me poop?

There is no specific time that coffee can make you poop. It has a lot of underlying factors, such as the time of the day, the concentration of caffeine in coffee, and the length of time since you last had your meal, among others. For instance, if you take coffee immediately after waking up, you are likely to poop in the next fifteen minutes because coffee takes about fifteen minutes to act.

What kind of coffee will make me poop?

Caffeinated and decaf coffee has the potential to make you poop. Caffeine and other coffee compounds are responsible for increased peristalsis, and hence there is no specific type of coffee that is responsible for such.

FAQ section

Can coffee make me poop?

Yes, coffee has a laxative effect and can make you poop

Can coffee change poop color?

Yes, coffee can change your poop color because of its dark nature and the increased acidity in the gut.

Can too much coffee cause black stool?

Yes, dark and medium dark roast coffee is dark and can cause the poop to be dark.