You may not know it, but your cup of smoking coffee is not content to wake you up. It also stimulates your intestinal transit.
“In the morning is indeed the optimal moment for drinking coffee to promote intestinal transit”explains Dr. Rosario Ligresti, American gastroenterologist, in the columns of Eating Well.
Why is the morning the best time?
Even if there is no exact time, the first hours after awakening seem to be the most conducive. “”This moment capitalizes on the natural circadian rhythm of the body, because the colon is the most active and ready to be evacuated in the early hours after alarm clock“, Specifies Dr. Ligresti.”Drinking coffee during this window acts as an additional powerful stimulant, working in synergy with the natural processes of your body “.
The key role of the gastrocolic reflex
Beyond caffeine, other mechanisms are at work. “”Coffee also triggers the gastrocolic reflex, a natural process where to eat or drink causes a wave of contractions to move the stool to the rectum“Explains Dr. Kiran Sachdev, also a gastroenterologist. This reflex is particularly marked in the morning.
Caffeine accentuates this effect by stimulating the central nervous system and intestinal contractions. Active caffeine even active the colon approximately 60 % more than decaffeinated or water.
But that’s not all: “Coffee containing caffeine and decaffeinated coffee stimulate the production of gastric acid, which can also help to release gastrointestinal hormones (such as gastrin, motiline and CCK), which play a role in promoting motility and colonic activity“Adds the expert.
Caution with fasting coffee
The stimulating effect of coffee is not always beneficial. “”Basty coffee can cause reflux, bloating or diarrhea in some people“warns Dr. Sachdev.
A ritual more than just a drink
To make the most of this effect, the establishment of a routine is essential. “”Your intestine reacts better to routines, so give yourself time in the morning with your coffee to have the biggest effect“, Recommends Amanda Sauceda, dietician specializing in intestinal health.
On the consumption side, the recommended limit is around 400 mg of caffeine per day, or four cups maximum. Beyond that, side effects-nervousness, sleep disorders, anxiety-become more likely. It is also preferable to avoid drinking it too late, caffeine remaining active for several hours in the body.
Other habits for regular transit
If coffee can help, it is not the only lever. Specialists recall the importance of adopting simple daily gestures:
- Kick : fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds promote regularity;
- Humor : “Drinking enough water helps soften the stools and facilitating smoother stools“;
- Move : “Consider movement as training for your intestine, as it can encourage you to go to the saddle“;
- Routine : “The establishment of a coherent daily routine for meals and the alarm helps regulate the internal clock of your body, which leads to more predictable intestinal habits“;
- Introduce probiotics : yogurts, kefir, kombucha or sauerkraut reinforce the intestinal flora. “”Many yogurts contain living and active cultures that can promote digestion “.