Doctors reminded about the effect of coffee on the stomach and intestines
Coffee is often considered a cause of stomach and intestinal problems, but the drink itself is not harmful to the digestive system. The body's response depends on the amount of coffee, the state of health and individual sensitivity. On September 29, "Izvestia" was told about the effect of coffee on the gastrointestinal tract by nutritionist and nutritionist Mari Est and gastroenterologist, specialist in neurogastroenterology Andrey Simakov.
How coffee affects the stomach and intestines
Coffee affects the digestive system in several ways at once. The drink is able to stimulate the production of gastric juice, increase intestinal activity and accelerate motility. It is these processes that can cause discomfort after a cup of coffee in some people.
According to Simakov, coffee does not directly damage the gastric mucosa and cannot "burn" the organ. However, in people with hypersensitivity of the digestive system, the reaction may be pronounced.
"This is especially important for patients with functional dyspepsia: acceleration of motility and increased acid secretion may not be perceived well by the duodenum, which may cause discomfort after coffee," the doctor explained.
In irritable bowel syndrome, coffee can also exacerbate symptoms by speeding up motor skills. However, the specialist noted, such a reaction is individual and depends on the characteristics of the body.
The nutritionist added that it's not just caffeine that has an effect. The drink contains chlorogenic acids, trigonellin, melanoidins, as well as cafestol and kahveol. The reaction may depend on the entire composition of the coffee and the method of its preparation.
To whom coffee can cause discomfort
Unpleasant sensations after coffee can occur not only in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The state of the nervous system, stress levels, sleep quality, and the rate of caffeine metabolism play an important role. According to Simakov, in some people, caffeine stays in the body longer. This can lead to anxiety, sleep disturbances, and other unpleasant sensations.
"There is a slow metabolism of caffeine in the body. As there is a slow metabolism of some drugs, so there are people who are slow metabolizers of caffeine. Therefore, caffeine lingers in the blood for a long time, after which there may be symptoms," Simakov said.
The expert noted that people with anxiety and increased stress on the nervous system can be particularly sensitive. In such cases, coffee can enhance the already existing unpleasant sensations.
In this case, the body's reaction can be caused not only by coffee and caffeine, but also by additives. For example, milk with lactose intolerance can provoke unpleasant symptoms, and some types of vegetable milk contain components that can affect intestinal function.
Is it possible to drink coffee on an empty stomach and how many cups is safe?
The popular opinion that coffee is necessarily harmful on an empty stomach is not always true. According to Simakov, if a person tolerates a drink well, there is no strict need to give it up in the morning.
At the same time, for some people, coffee on an empty stomach can cause unpleasant sensations due to an individual body reaction, especially if a person is in a state of fatigue or stress.
For a healthy adult, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day from all sources is considered a guideline. However, the exact amount depends on the type of coffee, the strength of the drink and the volume of the cup.
"Coffee cannot be unequivocally called harmful to digestion. In most healthy people, moderate consumption does not cause problems, and discomfort often depends on the amount, time of consumption and individual sensitivity," said the nutritionist.
She noted that when choosing a drinking regime, it is worth considering not only the amount of coffee, but also the time of reception. Late coffee can worsen sleep, and using a drink instead of a full rest can increase the feeling of fatigue after the end of the action of caffeine.
The specialist also refuted the widespread myth that coffee "leaches out" magnesium and potassium. With moderate consumption, the drink does not lead to a significant loss of these minerals in a healthy person.
Is it necessary to give up coffee in case of gastrointestinal diseases
It is not always necessary to completely exclude coffee from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In people with hypersensitivity, the drink may exacerbate certain symptoms, but in itself it is not considered the cause of exacerbation of most diseases. Simakov also noted that there is evidence of a possible positive effect of coffee on fatty liver disease.
The nutritionist added that for chronic diseases, sleep disorders, anxiety and some cardiovascular conditions, the amount of caffeine should be selected individually. If you experience discomfort, you can change the mode of drinking the drink: drink coffee after a meal, reduce the amount or choose a decaffeinated option.
The body's reaction is also influenced by the cooking method. Unfiltered coffee contains more cafestol and kahweol, but there is no universally "harmful" type of drink — strength, volume and individual tolerance are important.
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