Side Effects of Drinking Coffee
Drinking coffee can come with side effects, but black or bloody stool isn’t one of them.
Caffeine can speed up your digestive system, playing a role in diarrhea, according to Harvard Medical School.
Other related side effects of drinking coffee can include heartburn and indigestion, according to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. Also, symptoms of any digestive condition that you already have — like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — may get worse.
If you notice blood in your stool after drinking coffee, a condition of the digestive tract may be the cause. Treatment options depend on your exact symptoms, so talk with your doctor about your symptoms.
Many of the effects of coffee on the body are related to the drink’s caffeine content. According to the Mayo Clinic, an 8-ounce (oz) cup of coffee contains around 96 milligrams (mg) of caffeine. Caffeine content varies depending on what coffee beans were used and how strong the coffee was brewed. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that adults limit themselves to around 400 mg of caffeine per day.
Caffeine works by stimulating your central nervous system. You can feel the effects of caffeine as soon as 15 minutes after consuming it, and the substance has a half-life of roughly six hours, according to Cleveland Clinic. It can take up to 10 hours for caffeine to pass through your body entirely.
While many people rely on caffeine daily, consuming too much of it can be harmful. Possible side effects of consuming too much caffeine include:
- Dehydration
- Increased blood pressure
- Headaches
- Feeling dizzy
- Feeling jittery
- Insomnia
- An increased heart rate
Caffeine can be considered an addictive substance, and some people who consume a lot of it may experience caffeine withdrawal when they try to cut down or stop. Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal can include flu-like symptoms, irritability, and trouble concentrating.
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