Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2013 Warm drinks such as coffee may help make bowel\nmovements easier.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people tolerate it well, and coffee can help stimulate movement\nin the large intestine through muscle contractions that push stool\nalong,\u201d said Supriya Rao, a board-certified gastroenterologist, as\nquoted by EatingWell on Wednesday (28 October).<\/p>\n
The gastrocolic reflex is the body\u2019s response that triggers the urge\nto have a bowel movement, usually after eating or in the morning after\nwaking. Drinking coffee may help activate this reflex and move stool out\nof the body.<\/p>\n
As the gastrocolic reflex is most active in the morning, this can be\na good time to enjoy a cup of warm coffee to help promote a bowel\nmovement.<\/p>\n
Having coffee with food may offer greater benefits. Food helps\nstretch the stomach, prompting digestive contents to move through the\ndigestive tract.<\/p>\n
Stool moves through the large intestine in waves of muscle\ncontractions. Irregular contractions can contribute to constipation or\nabdominal cramps.<\/p>\n
\u201cResearch has found that coffee can increase contractions in the\ncolon within minutes,\u201d said Edmundo Rodriguez-Frias, a board-certified\ngastroenterologist.<\/p>\n
Coffee\u2019s effect on these contractions is 60 per cent stronger than\nthat of plain water. However, similar results have not always been\nconsistently observed with decaffeinated coffee.<\/p>\n
Several digestive hormones are needed to break down food, and coffee\nmay help the body produce more of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cResearch shows that coffee can increase levels of gastrin and\ncholecystokinin, two hormones involved in digestive activity,\u201d\nRodriguez-Frias said.<\/p>\n
Gastrin plays a role in stomach movement. It also signals the body to\nproduce hydrochloric acid, which helps digest protein.<\/p>\n
Cholecystokinin, meanwhile, prompts the pancreas to release enzymes\nthat help digest carbohydrates, fats and proteins.<\/p>\n
As well as drinking coffee, bowel movements can be made easier by\ngradually increasing fibre intake. Fibre adds bulk to stool and softens\nits consistency, making it easier to pass. However, most people do not\nconsume enough fibre.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf fibre has been almost absent from your diet, it is best to add it\ngradually,\u201d Rodriguez-Frias said.<\/p>\n
This approach can prevent excess gas, bloating and even constipation,\nwhich may occur when someone suddenly switches from a low-fibre diet to\na high-fibre intake.<\/p>\n
When increasing fibre intake, be sure to drink more fluids as well.\nFibre needs fluid to work properly, so the two go hand in hand in\nhelping maintain regular bowel movements.<\/p>\n
It is also important not to ignore the urge to have a bowel movement\nand to go to the toilet promptly. Repeatedly holding it in can make\nstool harder and more difficult to pass.<\/p>\n
\u201cRepeatedly ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement can contribute\nto constipation,\u201d Rodriguez-Frias said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/drinking-warm-coffee-may-help-stimulate-bowel-movements-1793292663", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }