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The Effects of Caffeine on GI Tract

Caffeine is a drug categorized as psychoactive stimulant. The effects of caffeine on the human body have been a subject of much debate for many years. Essentially, caffeine affects the central nervous system to ward off drowsiness but can become a habit. People who drink an excessive amount of coffee or other caffeinated products may come to depend on it, just like any addictive drug. Caffeine also has an impact on your digestive system and may lead to ongoing problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

  1. Hormones

    • Caffeine elevates the hormones cortisol, epinephrine and norephinepherine. This may result in increased heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety. Shunting of blood resources away from the GI tract due to hormonal flux may cause indigestion. Excessive anxiety or a fight-or-flight response can affect neural control of the GI system.

    Irritation

    • The stimulation of caffeine can result in hyperactive secretion or excessive production of gastric acids. The process of gastric emptying, food moving from your stomach to your small intestine, may speed up when ingesting coffee. This highly corrosive gastric acid hits the lining of the intestine sooner than it should. This causes irritation of the lining and eventually damages the tissue.

    Magnesium

    • Caffeine affects your body’s ability to absorb magnesium. Magnesium is a crucial component in maintaining bowel regularity. Magnesium is also a necessary nutrient for other body functions outside of the digestive tract.

    Diuretic

    • Caffeine may act as a diuretic, causing excess urination and excretion of fluid. This can result in dehydration. Lack of proper hydration affects the body ability to form proper stools, leading to constipation.

    GABA Metabolism

    • GABA is a neurotransmitter produced naturally in the brain and GI tract. It helps manage mood and stress. GABA's purpose in the digestive tract is to act as a calming agent. Caffeine interferes with the binding processes of this important neurotransmitter, resulting in irritated bowels.

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