Coffee: The surprising morning rush to the bathroom explained

Although it doesn't affect everyone. Statistically, one in three people who drink coffee in the morning must visit the toilet swiftly. Why does this happen? Is it normal for the body to react so quickly?

For many individuals, drinking coffee in the morning leads to the urge to use the loo. It may work as a diuretic or stimulate bowel movements. Some people wonder if this is due to caffeine or the drink's temperature. The truth is, even though coffee has been known for centuries, it still holds mysteries.

One in three people must visit the toilet just a few minutes after drinking coffee. According to Dr Łukasz Drzewiecki, who spoke to the Practical Medicine portal, coffee affects the level of gastrin in the body, which influences digestive processes and has laxative properties.

Coffee stimulates the secretion of gastrin and hydrochloric acid, which increases intestinal activity and stimulates bowel movements. Drinking a warm beverage also stimulates bowel movements by increasing the activity of the rectal muscles. Interestingly, laxative effects can also occur in decaffeinated drinks.

Coffee might seem like a good remedy for constipation due to its laxative properties. However, its effect is mainly temporary and does not resolve bowel movement problems in the long term.

It cannot be ignored that in individuals with persistent constipation, caffeine might worsen the issue, leading to dehydration and thus exacerbating symptoms.