– Why does drinking coffee induce a laxative effect?
In: Biology
The caffeine thing is mostly a myth as decaf coffee has been shown to have the same laxative effects. The more accurate answer is that coffee is made from seeds. Many seeds contain chemicals that stimulate the release of gastrin. Gastrin helps control the peristalsis movement of our colon (the wave-like undulations that move food though our colon). Seeds tend to have these chemicals so birds and other critters that eat these seeds would pass those seeds through their system quickly enough that whatever ate them doesn’t fully digest them and the seeds get pooped out intact (along with some handy fertilizer). The chemical found in coffee beans that stimulates gastrin release is called theophylline.
Barney Style: Stimulants work by partially relaxing the muscles in your heart and lungs to allow for things to flow more freely. Consequently, the same thing works for your butt.
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One thing to consider is when do you have your first coffee? In the morning. And when do people typically poop? In the morning. Most of the time you would have pooped anyway even if you drank plain water.
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