First discovered in the 9th century in Ethiopia, coffee has been a great beverage enjoyed for centuries. Coffee is a stimulant with natural perks that help you beat the daily grind. Using coffee in the morning might not seem necessary, but it can help you jump-start your day. Not only can this give you the energy you need before starting your workday, but it can also help eliminate tension and moodiness that may cause you to act out.
Despite these benefits, many people report feeling bloated or having uncomfortable gas after drinking coffee. Is there any truth to this belief? We’ll examine the question closer below.
Does Coffee Cause Gas?
It is essential to remember that many of the components in coffee are not easily digestible. This can cause an upset stomach and lead to some people to have difficulty breaking down the caffeine it contains. Coffee contains three primary ingredients which may cause gas and bloat. These ingredients include:
Caffeine—It is well known that coffee has caffeine. Caffeine is considered one of the most effective stimulants in the world, but it has several adverse side effects on your body if you overdo the intake of coffee. The gastrointestinal side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and dehydration. This can cause your stomach to bloat, lead to loss of appetite, and the inability to have regular bowel movements.
Fiber—Coffee has some fiber, which can help you feel full for longer and reduce the potential for overeating. Fiber will also help your body process food more efficiently, and most people don’t get the recommended amount in their diets. That being said, overconsuming fiber can lead to a feeling of bloat if you have a sensitive digestive system.
Sorbitol—Sorbitol is naturally found in fruits like pears, apples, and peaches. This is a sweet substance that is also used in many heart medications. Sorbitol has been used in laxatives and can cause gas and bloating when the body cannot break it down.
What Can You Do About It?
If you find yourself feeling too full or gassy after drinking coffee, try drinking water with a slice of lemon in it. This can help to soothe the stomach and rehydrate you after a dose of caffeine. You can also try switching to decaf, but be careful because the effects of caffeine don’t stop just because the caffeine is reduced. Some people may be more sensitive to caffeine than others, and they may feel the adverse effects of caffeine even when consuming the reduced levels found in decaf.
How Can You Prevent It?
If you are one of the many people with a sensitive digestive system, you may feel bloated and gassy after drinking coffee. Check with your doctor to ensure you do not have any other gastrointestinal problems, and try switching to decaf. Ask your doctor whether any other stimulants can be used in place of coffee to provide the same amount of energy without the side effects of caffeine.
What About with Additives
If you are experiencing problems from drinking coffee, they may be caused by additives in the coffee you’re drinking. Luckily, there are things that you can do to help you get the benefits out of your coffee without the side effects. The biggest problem with the ingredients in coffee is that you often have little to no control over them, especially if you’re ordering from a coffee shop. You cannot always control what type of beans are used and what else is added to them after it is roasted at various times throughout the day. This means that even if you try to avoid additives, there is still a possibility that they will be in your drink. Also, almost all coffee contains some amount of caffeine and other substances, which can also vary depending on how much natural caffeine/sugar is contained in a bean that makes it through the roasting process. This means that any beverage made from coffee will have additives in it.
Dark Roast or Light Roast?
Dark roast coffee is made from beans that have been roasted longer, causing the end product to be a darker color. Light roasts, on the other hand, are made from beans that are roasted for a shorter period, resulting in a more golden-brown color. It is believed that the smoother taste of dark roasts comes from the oils that tend to remain in the bean when it is roasted at longer intervals. Some people find that the oils in dark roast coffee make the beverage flavor more complex, while others find that light roasts have more of a distinct flavor. Coffee with additives tends to lose its flavor over time, so try to buy a small bag of beans at one time and make as few drinks as possible to keep the freshness.
What Else Should You Watch Out For?
Decaffeinated coffee is also loaded with all of the other additives that can cause many types of problems, including gas and bloating. Coffee is considered one of the healthiest beverages in the world, but it is important to ensure that you are getting all of the benefits you think you are. The only way to do this is to ensure you have a strong stomach and not consume only caffeinated coffee without knowing what else is in it.
Key Takeaways
Coffee is a drink that can help boost your energy and alertness, but it can also lead to many side effects. If you have any problems with caffeine-containing beverages and other additives found in coffee, you should talk with your doctor and ensure that your symptoms aren’t caused by something unrelated. Before you consume a drink, it is essential to know what all of the chemicals in coffee can do to your body. If you want to get the benefits of coffee without side effects, you will have to grind the beans yourself. This way, you can control the amount of caffeine and other substances in your drink and be sure that they are not added in after the beans are roasted. Then, when you brew it, use only filtered water without any additives because water is also used after roasting.
