One of the most popular liquid drinks in the globe, coffee has been sold, branded, and expressed in many different forms since its founding in the 15th century. Now, for those with sensitive stomachs, you may ask, “Can coffee make you bloated?”
The answer is yes, it can. And this wholly depends on the amount of caffeine, or coffee, you consume, along with when you drink your coffee. We’re here to answer all your questions on what bloating is, what causes bloating, and why coffee can cause you to bloat. Continue reading for more information!
What Is Bloating?
Originating in the stomach, or abdomen, bloating is what occurs when the gas, or even simply air, ends up filling up the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Bloating can be painful depending on the level of bloating.
Bloating can be incredibly uncomfortable as it can make your stomach feel tight and stretched out, while you strangely feel full and in pain.
Symptoms of bloating include:
- Gas (Burping Or Otherwise)
- Pain In The Stomach
- Discomfort In The Stomach
- Stretched Out Belly (Filled With Gas)
- Abdominal Noises (The Sound Of Air Or Gas Moving Around)
For those who suffer or are suffering from severe bloating symptoms, there are different symptoms to look out for.
They include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blood In Stool
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Fever
When suffering from these symptoms, it is essential to speak out and meet with a medical professional to discuss the severe bloating and painful symptoms you are experiencing so that they may find a resolution to prevent reoccurring bloating.
The Gastrointestinal Tract
The gastrointestinal tract makes up the whole digestive system. Each organ plays an essential role needed to absorb, swallow, digest, and eliminate waste, for the body’s digestive process.
This includes the:
- Large Intestine
- Mouth
- Pharynx (Throat)
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Small Intestine
- Rectum
- Anus
What Causes Bloating?
There are a variety of things that can cause bloating. From certain medical conditions to food sensitivities, each plays a role in the causation of bloating, severe or otherwise.
Some of them include:
- GERD
- Depression
- Menstruation
- Crohn’s
- Lactose Intolerance
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Food (Foods Like Broccoli and Beans Are Known to Cause Gas)
- Constipation
- Liver Disease
- Overconsumption of Food (Overeating)
- Anxiety
Can Coffee Make You Bloated?
Yes, coffee can cause bloating, but this depends on the person drinking the coffee. Every person’s body reacts differently to food, some bloat more than others, whilst others barely bloat after eating food or drinking coffee.
Why Does Coffee Cause You To Bloat?
The consumption of caffeine, from coffee, can stimulate the gut to cause spams that will lead to what is called bloating. Many factors can cause bloating, like water retention or indigestion. Bloating can also be a sign of food sensitivity, so it may be important to consult with a medical professional if you suffer from severe bloating.
Acid Content
Fun fact—coffee, well most varieties anyway, contain acid!
The average pH value of acid levels in most coffees ranges from 4.85-5.10. During the process of the coffee being brewed for consumption, it encourages nine major acids to be released to exploit coffee’s popular flavor.
Whether drinking coffee on an empty stomach or not, the acid in coffee can cause irritation in the abdomen which results in bloating. This is more noticeable when drinking coffee on an empty stomach.
Stress Regulation
Coffee contains caffeine which has notable effects on the creation and secretion of cortisol in the body. As this important hormone controls stress regulation, when it is affected by caffeine intake it can cause reactions like an upset stomach that can cause bloating.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a hormone in the body that boasts numerous purposes in the body. From an efficient immune response, the workings of the metabolism, and stress management, cortisol plays an important role in the body.
It is a steroid hormone, a glucocorticoid that is found and made in the adrenal glands. Once it has been created, cortisol is released into the blood in the body where it will cause different actions and reactions when coming into contact with specific cells. Some examples of different reactions and actions include water balance, salt balance, regulation of blood pressure, and the regulation of memory formation, to name a few.
Too Much Coffee
It’s recommended to take no more than 400mg of caffeine. The average human consumes about 140mg of caffeine every day, which can total to about 1 ½ cups of coffee.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated that 400mg of caffeine is an acceptable and safe daily amount for healthy adults, though going over is not recommended. For many, consuming too much caffeine can cause an upset stomach, anxiety, and bloating.
Some other notable, more severe, effects of overconsumption of caffeine include:
- Reduce Blood Flow To The Heart
- Vomiting
- Hallucinations
- Chest Pain
- Breathing Troubles
- Confusion
- Death
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Fast Heartbeat
- Seizures
- High Blood Acid Levels
- Abdominal Pain
Dehydration
As caffeine is a diuretic, the consumption of coffee, which contains caffeine, will cause an increase in trips to the bathroom. When this happens, as coffee does not hydrate a person but rather the opposite, this can lead to bloating as the body aims to retain fluid because of dehydration.
How Long Does The Bloating Last?
Bloating caused by drinking coffee is only temporary. The time range for how long the bloating lasts differs depending on the person in question, but most have noted that the bloating will go away after anywhere from 1-3 hours.
Conclusion
Did you find this article informative? Make sure to leave a comment below to tell us what you think or if you have any questions. Don’t forget to share this informative article on “Can Coffee Make You Bloated?”.
Tag us on social media to show us which coffee brand you use and how successful the process of debloating from caffeine has been! Make sure to share this article and its inclusive information on whether coffee can cause bloating and why it causes bloating, with a friend or family member to spread the love (and the important information on bloating)!
FAQs
What home remedies reduce bloating?
There many different home remedies that can be used to reduce bloating. Some include going on a walk, increase physical activity each day, stretch out with some yoga, and taking a warm bath.
Can bloating last for a long time?
For some, bloating can last for days or weeks. If this occurs, seeking medical attention is highly advised.
Why is coffee suddenly upsetting my stomach?
The acids in the coffee may be irritating your stomach. If you've consumed coffee on an empty stomach, it has a harsher effect on the stomach's acids.