Why does coffee make me cough up mucus? (Does drinking Coffee Produce More Mucus + more information)

Why does coffee make me cough up mucus? You might have asked yourself this question severally if you love taking strong coffee.  

Taking more than the recommended amount or having a caffeine allergy can make you cough up mucus. Nothing can replace the feeling that a freshly brewed cup of coffee gives you early in the morning or during a long hour shift. As a nurse, a caffeine boost early in the morning or during the day helps me to handle a 12-hour shift at work with no fuss. However, I have realized that drinking more than two cups of strong coffee makes me cough up mucus. Read on to learn whether drinking coffee can make you cough up mucus! 

Does drinking Coffee Produce More Mucus?

Yes, drinking coffee produces more mucus. Coffee, one of if not the most loved drinks worldwide, contains caffeine.

Although caffeine is good because it gives you the energy to carry out your daily routines, it has some adverse effects on some people. It is known to increase the amount of acid in your body tissues. The acid gives you the jitter you feel after drinking your favorite cup of coffee or other caffeinated drinks.

However, even though the caffeine in your favorite cup of coffee keeps you alert for long hours, it dries your body and changes the thickness of your mucus. Mucus is a sticky and thick discharge that protects and coats membranes in your body.

How coffee affects mucus production in your body depends on its acidity level. Coffee brewed for an extended period tends to be more acidic.

On the other hand, when coffee is brewed for only a short duration, it contains more water and is less acidic. Such coffee makes your body increase its rate of mucus production. The mucus that is produced is also not that thick.

Therefore, consuming coffee instigates changes in your body’s mucus membrane, triggering more mucus production.

Does decaf coffee cause mucus?

No, decaf coffee does not cause mucus. Decaf coffee contains little or no caffeine. A perfect example of a decaf coffee is the Decaf Pike Place Roast at Starbucks, which contains 25 milligrams of caffeine.

As I mentioned earlier, it is the caffeine that affects the changes in the thickness and an increase in the production of mucus in your body. Decaf coffee contains an insignificant amount of caffeine; therefore, it does not cause an increase in the production of mucus.

So, you can swap caffeinated coffees with their decaf options if you want a drink that will not increase the rate of mucus production in your body (phlegm).

Can caffeine cause you to cough mucus?

Yes, caffeine can cause you to cough mucus. Caffeine dehydrates your body; your body reacts to this effect by producing thick or less thick mucus, depending on how acidic your coffee is.

FAQ Section 

Does caffeine make you cough?

Yes, drinking too much coffee can make you cough.

Is coughing mucus after coffee a sign of caffeine allergy?

No, but it can signify that you have a caffeine allergy.

How much caffeine will make you cough mucus?

Drinking more than a cup of coffee with a high level of caffeine (more than 200 milligrams each) in a day can make you cough mucus.