In a healthy person, a cup of coffee each morning seems to pose no noticeable health effect. But for many people with irritable bowel syndrome, coffee is one of the most difficult, and one of the more important, things to give up.
Coffee is a known bowel irritant. The caffeine in coffee is bad for the digestive system. Caffeine speeds up every system in the body, including the colon, which can lead to diarrhea. De-caffeinated coffee does away with the caffeine, but it still contains acids that can increase stomach acid production.
People who routinely drink caffeinated coffee every day may experience a withdrawal effect. Talk to your doctor about lessening the effect of caffeine withdrawal. Instead of morning coffee, turn to a cup of de caffeinated tea instead.
