Coffee consumption can cause many causes for bowel movement to take place after drinking it, including stimulating digestive juices and hormones that facilitate gut muscle contraction. Not everyone responds the same to caffeine consumption, however; whether or not caffeine will trigger you depends on how much coffee is consumed as well as your overall gut health.

Your body triggers a bowel movement when it sends signals to your intestines via peristalsis, or muscle contractions that mix, knead and expel stool through your large intestine. Peristalsis involves three sets of muscle groups working together; mixing of fecal matter; kneading; pushing through large intestines and thirdly expelling stool from body. Timing, frequency and occurrence are determined by muscular, neural and chemical factors.

Eight out of 14 healthy young volunteers reported that drinking black unsweetened coffee triggered their need to defecate, prompting researchers to use multiport manometry and measure rectosigmoid motor responses to both regular and decaffeinated coffee to determine whether there was an increase in motility of the colon. Results demonstrated that just four minutes after drinking coffee triggered an immediate motility response lasting 30+ minutes from those who responded positively;

People who do not respond well to coffee may be lactose intolerant, meaning their bodies can’t break down the sugar found in dairy products like milk and cream. This causes their gut to pull in water which increases bloating and gas. If this effect bothers you, try switching up to an almond milk alternative as soon as possible or reduce dairy altogether.

Avoid overdoing it when drinking coffee as too much stimulation of the colon can actually hinder its functions and make you less frequent pooper. Experiment with different quantities to find one that meets both criteria of overstimulation while not impeding regularity when needed.

However, if you are experiencing any persistent digestive symptoms after drinking coffee – including acid reflux or bloating – consult a gastroenterologist immediately. Most experts consider moderate coffee consumption acceptable for most healthy adults; just watch out for extra calories and fat found in processed foods like milk, sugar or “sugarless” sweeteners that increase intake of fatty acids. Make sure you drink adequate water daily (64 ounces for adults).