Psychological Aspects
Trying to comprehend why you get the runs after drinking coffee can be quite a difficult thing to grapple with. Everyone is likely to experience different forms of discomfort after consuming caffeine, and this could range from the runs to feeling a little jittery. It all depends on the individual, and their emotional and psychological state. If a person is feeling anxious or tense, this will undoubtedly have an effect on their physiological system, which could worsen any uncomfortable effects of caffeine. It has been shown that this form of sensitivity is a product of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD – figures suggest that around half of patients with PTSD exhibit some kind of adverse reaction to caffeine.
Further to this, other psychiatric issues such as bipolar disorder are regularly observed to cause bouts of diarrhoea due to excessive coffee-drinking. This is because of the consequential fluctuation in hormones, which can enable distress hormones like cortisol to be more active than usual. To combat this, it is important to try and be mindful of the mental patterns that could be intensifying the effects of coffee, in order to slow the production of those distress hormones and prevent them from causing the runs.
Caffeine Molecules
The physical elements of why coffee causes diarrhoea may not be as mysterious as the psychological components, as there is an intricate science to the makeup of coffee molecules. Caffeine effectively binds to molecules inside the small intestine, thereby stimulating motor neurons in the surrounding area and increasing bowel peristalsis – or waves of muscular contraction. This means that medical solutions such as anti-diarrhoea drugs will not be sufficient to counter the effects, as caffeine overloads the system and puts it into overdrive.
In addition to this, the caffeine also causes more body heat and more perspiration due to the increased activity of the intestines. This culminates in an overall feeling of discomfort and anguish, leading to an instant and strong urge to go to the toilet in order to expel excess toxins.
Foods to Avoid
The logical solution, then, to the problem of runs after drinking coffee is to cut back on caffeine consumption. Despite this, there are some more specific foods to avoid in order to prevent any reaction. Fried and processed foods, in particular, are filled with toxins which will only add to the existing caffeinated loss, meaning that the long-term affects are felt more intensely. Additionally, if someone legitimately enjoys coffee but finds that it does cause some physical discomfort, then it is advisable to switch to decaffeinated or low-caffeine options in order to arouse a less potent response – if any response at all.
The Role of Lifestyle
Apart from dietary choices, lifestyle can play a major role in the digestion of coffee. A lack of exercise or physical activity will mean that the core muscles are lightly used, which makes it harder to regulate the movement of the intestines. As such, it is always best to try and keep up with a healthy exercise regime to ensure that when caffeine is purchased its benefits can be truly felt.
On top of this, avoiding too many stimulants such as sugar-rich foods and synthetic caffeine types will enable the body to more legitimately process coffee and will contain any potential digestive chaos. Similarly, combining coffee with food-friendly drinks such as milk and water will also work the caffeine into the system more naturally.
Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements have also been a source of both hope and confusion for coffee drinkers in the past. It is true that some extract derivatives of herbs can be beneficial for coffee drinkers and it can improve your overall digestive health, but it is also important to be aware of the rate of absorption due to the harshness or fineness of the blend. Additionally, those blending for medicinal purposes must be mindful of the blend’s unique combination of ingredients, including any pre- and post-additive preparation.
For example, some advantages and disadvantages of a particular herb blend can be found in terms of its capacity to boost energy levels, but also in terms of its potency and ability to cause digestive issues. This means it is important to understand your own body and how each specific blend will affect it, in order to monitor any possible reactions.
Brain Receptors
Beyond the potential of herbal teas, it is also useful to understand how the brain is affected by coffee. This comes down to understanding the brain’s receptors – namely the adenosine receptors, which are responsible for regulating sleep, wakefulness and alertness. Caffeine is able to occupy these receptors, consequently preventing adenosine from activating and triggering sleepiness. This causes the brain to be more alert and active, meaning that metabolic processes and motor activities can be accelerated.
Of course, such increases in activity can cause the body to become overexcited and this can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, such as diarrhoea. It is therefore important to keep in mind the trigger of these effects and be aware of the actual number of receptors associated with the brain.
Caffeine Metabolism
Caffeine is efficiently metabolised inside the hepatic system, with the fasted rate coming from those who have a fastest caffeine metabolic rate (CMR). This fasted metabolic rate can have a direct effect on the severity of any reactions you may have to caffeine, as it affects the duration, intensity and regularity of any further Diarrhoea.
In addition to this, a quicker CMR is a sign of a healthier system and this is associated with a greater capacity to filter out any extra toxins that may have been added from a cup of coffee. This is why it is important to monitor your body’s ability to process caffeine – if the CMR is slower than average, it means that there could be some metabolic problems that need to be addressed in order to contain diarrhoea.
Individual Differences
Finally, it is worth considering the overall variations between individuals. Everyone will more than likely experience some kind of discomfort after consuming caffeine, but the level of reaction may differ depending on age, weight, lifestyle and many other factors. This means that it is important to track your own progress, and to be mindful of any chances or adjustments that may need to be made in order to prevent or reduce the runs after drinking coffee.
Overall, it is important to remember that the runs after drinking coffee are not necessarily bound by any one rule or explanation. While there are tried and tested methods at fighting the runs – from nutritional supplements to exercising regularly – what is most important is to make sure that you are aware of your own personal context, and to adjust accordingly.
Medicinal Evaluation
One of the primary aspects of trying to evaluate why coffee causes runs is to seek out medical advice. Your doctor will be able to advise on how to best implement a personalized regime to target the particular digestive symptoms, dependent upon its underlying causes. It is possible to undergo a range of tests and assessments, in order to understand the biochemical reactions of your body to the caffeine.
Through this process, it is possible to identify where the caffeine is being absorbed, as well as any additional changes in the gastrointestinal process. This can enable the doctor to make further recommendations, such as changes to diet or incorporating particular agents to assist with caffeine absorption and/or drug permeability. Furthermore, the medical advice can lead to better understanding of the various forms of medical treatments which are used to combat the runs, such as anti-diarrhoea drugs and pro-biotic agents.
Cultural Solutions
On top of the medical advice, it is also important to look to traditional medicines and cultural solutions to this issue. There are many cultures which have evolved particular methods of dealing with the runs prior to modern science, employing herbal teas and folk medicines to find relief. Adapting such methodologies to your own lifestyle can also be a very effective form of preventative therapy.
Locally-sourced holistic remedies, such as mixing honey with water, or consuming ginger tea, may be accessible and adaptable tools in managing the runs. Popular oils such as black seed oil – which is derived from the Nigella sativa plant – can also be used to contain any runs and/or discomfort, although it is important to keep in mind that the dose of oils must be carefully calculated and monitored, in order to establish the correct degree of helpfulness.
Breathing Exercises
Finally, there are also some basic breathing exercises which can be practised if looking to combat the runs after drinking coffee. Methods such as the diaphragmatic breathing technique have been subject of medical study and can have a positive impact on a range of conditions, from anxiety to abdominal bloating. This involves your diaphragm pushing up your abdominal contents, as air is inhaled through the nose. This action softens the muscles and massages the stomach, enabling a feeling of release and relaxation.
Such exercises can be used to provide relief from diarrhoea, as it reduces mental tension and stress. Moreover, the diaphragm can also be used to control the release of serotonin and endorphins, which can help to control any activity within the gut, allowing it to stabilise and return to a functional state.
