Taking a Coffee Walk Has One *Solid* Risk: An Urgent Poop

Like most of us, you have probably been there: You’re minding your small business, milling about your morning routine, only to have the sudden, urgent must go number two. Such is the truth of drinking coffee. In any case, the cult-favorite beverage is perhaps best known for its energy-boosting abilities, but it surely’s a laxative, too.

This is very important to have in mind because, as soul-nourishing as it could feel to sip on an iced coffee while walking through a farmer’s market or embarking in your each day hot girl walk, the practice can result in a potentially shitty situation—literally. That’s because walking alone can get the bowels moving, and adding a laxative to the equation could have you ever high-tailing it to the closest bathroom.

What’s it in regards to the combo of coffee and walking?

“Individually, coffee and cardio are known to stimulate the bowels,” says Latest York City–based gastroenterologist Samantha Nazareth, MD, FACG. Combining the 2 makes it much more likely that you just’ll end up in a situation where you gotta go right now (despite the fact that you is perhaps removed from a bathroom).

A study published in Diseases of the Colon & Rectum found that consuming caffeine in water led to an earlier must poop than drinking the identical amount of water sans caffeine. That’s likely because caffeine causes our intestinal muscles to contract.

Nevertheless it’s not caffeine alone that’s the only real perpetrator. “Coffee stimulates the discharge of two hormones, gastrin (released within the stomach) and cholecystokinin (released from the small intestine),” gut health expert Kate Scarlata, RDN, LDN, previously told Well+Good. “Gastrin increases colonic movements and cholecystokinin releases bile and digestive enzymes, initiating the digestive process.” Coffee also stimulates stomach acids that help move food through our system.

Meanwhile, walking gets those core (and digestive) muscles activating, even when we don’t necessarily feel like we’re getting a core workout. “Just a straightforward walk will contract your belly muscles and help push out gas and stool and keep you regular,” gastroenterologist Niket Sonpal, MD, previously told Well+Good.

Is there a approach to go on a coffee walk without pooping?

We all know what you’re pondering: How can I cut such a delicious ritual from my morning routine? Because, we’re not gonna lie—heading out for a morning walk to the coffee shop, or with our favourite travel mug in hand, is a very delightful approach to start the day. Fortunately, there are a couple of strategies you should utilize so that you don’t need to skip it altogether.

Time your coffee and cardio post-poo

In case you know things typically get moving within the morning, Dr. Nazareth suggests waiting until after you’ve done your small business to go out for a walk.

Persist with a single cup of coffee

That way you aren’t overloading your system with caffeine or stimulating those digestive-boosting hormones and acids quite a lot.

Keep away from dairy milk and creamers

“Lactose can stimulate bowel movements, particularly for those who are lactose intolerant,” Dr. Nazareth says.

Go for decaf

We all know, this may occasionally feel like blasphemy to some, but it could actually help. “While decaf still does contain some caffeine, it doesn’t have as strong of a laxative effect as regular coffee,” Dr. Nazareth says.

Experiment

Some people find that iced coffee doesn’t affect their bowels with quite the identical intensity as hot coffee. While there’s no research to back this up definitively, you possibly can try it out to see if your personal body responds in another way to cold brew.

Try a bevvie that’s gentler on the bowels

My personal go-tos are Alani Nu Energy Drinks ($28/12) and Higher Days Caffeinated Greens ($90 for 60 servings). Or, on days I would like some fizz, I depend on old faithful: Polar Seltzer Water ($4/8).