You wake up in the morning and make yourself a cup of joe. After a while, your stomach growls, and you have to go to the toilet to deal with it. 

Perhaps you already know what coffee can make you poop, but you are unsure why. Perhaps it’s the caffeine. In that case, how about decaffeinated coffee? Does decaf coffee make you poop?

Decaffeinated coffee does make you poop. Aside from caffeine, coffee also has compounds that can trigger colon movement. These include chlorogenic acid and N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamine. They are in caffeinated and decaf coffee.

This article discusses if decaffeinated coffee can make you poop. It will also look into if coffee makes everyone poop. Finally, it will also explore if milk and cream in a coffee can make you poop.

What is Decaffeinated Coffee?

A decaffeinated coffee is a coffee with its caffeine content removed. Decaffeination is done using solvents such as methylene chloride, water, or carbon dioxide. Decaf coffee is suitable for caffeine-intolerant and sensitive people. 

Not all of us are born with the ability to handle caffeine. To some unlucky individuals, a single sip of coffee can easily trigger their brains to go overdrive. They may even struggle to sleep all night. 

Fortunately for these individuals, they can still enjoy their coffee decaffeinated. A decaffeinated (Decaf) coffee is basically normal coffee, with its caffeine content removed. Decaffeination is commonly done using one of the processes: 

Solvents: Some use solvents such as methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. These methods are now less used since people prefer a more natural decaf method. 

Water: The second method, much more popular, uses water. This method is commonly called the Swiss Water method and is considered safer than solvents. It is also cheap and keeps the cost of decaf coffee down.

Carbon Dioxide: This method is rather new. Some believe using carbon dioxide helps to preserve the flavor inside the coffee. Yet is also the most expensive decaffeination method.

When it comes to popularity, caffeinated coffee remains the runaway favorite. Only about 12% of the coffee sold in the US is decaf. This figure is higher in Europe, but still at a small 15%.

Does Decaffeinated Coffee Make You Poop?

Decaf coffee does make you poop. Although decaf coffee no longer has caffeine, other compounds that could trigger pooping remain. These compounds include chlorogenic acid and N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamides. 

Many of us would know that caffeine is a stimulant drug. Aside from making us more alert and perked up, it stimulates bowel and colon movement. This means we will feel like needing a take a trip to the toilet. 

However, removing caffeine from coffee alone does not help to get rid of the pooping effect. This is because caffeine is not the only compound inside coffee that causes the need for a toilet trip. 

There are also compounds such as chlorogenic acid and N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamides. These compounds are known to trigger the production of stomach acids. This indirectly triggers your entire digestive system to start working.

The act of drinking and eating could also cause you to poop. This is because when you do so, you send a signal to your brain to start turning on the digestive system. 

This means coffee may not even be related to your toilet trip. Your toilet trip urges may be triggered by a cup of tea or a piece of bagel you just had.

Does Everyone Poop After Drinking Coffee?

Not everybody poops after drinking coffee. Drinking coffee only triggers about 30% of people to go to the toilet. Women and those with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) are found to be more likely to poop after drinking coffee.

To answer these questions, we actually spent some time looking at several studies. These studies were done by universities and research institutes.

The National Library of Medicine ran a study of over 58 people. After 20 minutes of drinking coffee, only 29% of its participants experienced a stronger desire to poop. 

They also discovered that women were more likely to experience the urge to go to the toilet after coffee. 53% of the women in the study reported a higher urge to poop after drinking coffee. 

Aside from women, it seems that those with IBS may also be more prone to go to poop after drinking coffee. This could be because their stomach is much more sensitive to the compounds in coffee. This means their body reacts more intensely too.

Many described the urge to poop after drinking coffee as stronger than usual. They reported stomach cramping, bloating, and also diarrhea. However, this may not be the same for everyone. 

Does Milk And Cream In Coffee Make You Poop?

Milk and cream in a coffee can make you poop, especially if you have low lactose tolerance. In fact, some may poop not because of the coffee but the dairy products they add to the drink. Up to 48% of Americans are lactose intolerant.

Freshly brewed coffee is naturally free from food additives. They contain no sweeteners, preservatives, or additives.

However, many of us prefer to add flavorings to our coffee. These include sugar, milk, cream, and other additives. In fact, over two-thirds of Americans are known to not drink their coffee black. 

When you couple that over 48% of Americans are lactose intolerant, you may see a trend. 

People with lactose intolerance usually may experience stomach discomfort after consuming dairy products. This discomfort may include stomach cramps, bloatedness, and diarrhea.

Perhaps many people are taking their toilet trip not because of the coffee they drink. Instead, it could be the milk or cream they add to the drink. The main culprit is not the coffee, but the dairy products.

This means for many of us, drinking our coffee black may be the solution to the toilet trip problem. Once we do this, we may be much less likely to require a trip to the toilet after our morning cup of joe.

Questions & Answers

Does Drinking Decaf Coffee Make You Poop?

Decaf coffee does not have a laxative effect like regular coffee does. The presence of caffeine in regular coffee stimulates bowel movements, but decaf coffee does not contain enough caffeine to have the same effect.

Is the Urge to Poop After Drinking Coffee All in Your Head?

No, the urge to poop after drinking coffee is not all in your head. Regular coffee contains caffeine that stimulates the contraction of the gastrointestinal muscles, including the colon. This can lead to an increased urgency to defecate.

Does Decaf Coffee Have Any Effect on Bowel Movements?

Decaf coffee may have a slight effect on bowel movements due to other components besides caffeine. It contains certain compounds that can stimulate bowel movements to a lesser extent than regular coffee.

Is It True that Decaf Coffee Is Better for Your Bowel Movements?

Decaf coffee may be gentler on the bowels for some individuals who are sensitive to the laxative effects of caffeine. However, the effect of decaf coffee on bowel movements can vary from person to person.

It is best to observe how your body responds to decaf coffee and make adjustments according to your own tolerance.

Can Milk or Cream in Coffee Affect Bowel Movements?

Milk or cream added to coffee may have a minimal impact on bowel movements. The effect is more likely due to the coffee itself rather than the addition of milk or cream.

However, some individuals may be sensitive to dairy products and may experience changes in bowel movements as a result.

Is There a Specific Kind of Coffee that Makes You Poop More than Others?

There is no specific kind of coffee that has been scientifically proven to make you poop more than others. The laxative effects of coffee can vary depending on factors such as the brewing method, roast level, and individual sensitivity.

Can Decaf Coffee Still Stimulate Bowel Movements in Some People?

Yes, decaf coffee can still stimulate bowel movements in some individuals, although to a lesser extent compared to regular coffee. This can be due to the other components present in decaf coffee that can have a mild stimulating effect on the intestines.

Are the Laxative Effects of Coffee the Same for Everyone?

No, the laxative effects of coffee can vary from person to person. Some individuals may be more sensitive to the stimulating effects of coffee on the bowels, while others may not experience any noticeable effects.

It is important to pay attention to how your body reacts to coffee and make adjustments accordingly.

Final Thoughts

Decaffeinated coffee can make you poop, but not as much as regular coffee. It’s also important to note that coffee affects everyone differently, so some people may not experience any changes in their bowel movements after drinking coffee.

Adding milk or cream to your coffee can also contribute to digestive issues for some individuals. As with any food or beverage, it’s important to listen to your body and make choices that work best for your personal health and well-being.