According to Apetit and Dagens.dk, coffee causes the body to produce more of the hormones gastrin and cholecystokinin.
Among other things, these hormones help increase stomach acid production and stimulate the intestines.
In some people, the colon reacts just minutes after the first sip. This may explain why a cup of morning coffee can quickly lead to a trip to the toilet.
Caffeine is not the only factor behind this effect. Decaffeinated coffee can also stimulate the intestines, although the effect may be milder, Apetit reports.
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Milk can cause problems
What you put in your cup also matters.
People with lactose intolerance may experience bloating and stomach cramps after drinking coffee with regular milk. In these cases, the milk rather than the coffee may be causing the problems.
According to Apetit, people with conditions including frequent diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease or stomach ulcers should be particularly cautious. Coffee may worsen symptoms in these cases.
Eating very spicy or acidic foods with coffee may also increase the risk of heartburn and acid reflux.
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Timing makes a difference
Morning coffee can help get the intestines moving because their activity is naturally higher after sleep. According to information cited by Apetit, this may be beneficial for people with constipation.
The most important difference, however, is whether you have eaten.
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can increase stomach acid production and cause irritation or heartburn. After breakfast, coffee is gentler on the stomach because there is already food in it.
For people who experience problems after drinking morning coffee, it may therefore be better to wait until after eating before having a cup.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.