Coffee and IBS: Here's what you need to know
Do you find yourself needing a strong cup of coffee each morning before you can function properly? That hot cup of happiness can take you from “god help anyone who tries to talk to me right now” to “I’ve had a taste of heaven and am ready to smash out the day ahead.” For those with IBS, however, that morning cup of coffee may not go down so smoothly.
If you've noticed your symptoms flare up after drinking coffee, you're not alone. Coffee is frequently reported as a trigger food by IBS sufferers. Coffee seems to most commonly trigger symptoms of indigestion/reflux, stomach pain, and diarrhoea in those with IBS.
Why can coffee worsen IBS symptoms?
The main reason coffee commonly worsens IBS symptoms is the high caffeine content. Caffeine is the substance in coffee that helps to boost energy levels and alertness. While this caffeine fix from coffee often helps sustain sanity during a busy workday, it isn’t often doesn’t help with symptom management.
Caffeine increases stomach acid production (causing pain and indigestion) and stimulates motor activity levels in the colon/gut (causing diarrhoea). Those with diarrhoea-predominant IBS are usually more affected by coffee than those with constipation-predominant IBS.
Do other caffeinated products trigger IBS symptoms?
Yes, any food rich in caffeine can worsen IBS symptoms in sensitive individuals. Coffee is usually worse for symptoms than other caffeinated products as it is generally much higher in caffeine. Other caffeinated products to be mindful of include tea, energy drinks, dark chocolate, soft drinks (especially cola), and pre-workout supplements.
Don't tell me this means no coffee on a low FODMAP diet?
Here comes the good news, most people with IBS should tolerate coffee in moderate amounts. Those with IBS who are sensitive to caffeine should limit coffee and tea to no more than 3 cups per day. This means you should be fine with your essential morning cup of coffee to kick start the day (phew!).
Try having a half-strength or decaf coffee if you find you are particularly sensitive and don’t manage to tolerate a whole cup. You can also swap the coffee for tea, which has lower caffeine content.
Green tea is also a great lower-caffeine alternative to coffee and has some awesome health benefits because it contains antioxidants.
Content of common caffeinated products
Below is a list of the caffeine content in common products, as listed by Australian Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ). Try limiting caffeine intake to no more than 150mg-200mg per day, (approximately 2-3 cups of coffee/tea).
- Instant coffee = 60-80mg per teaspoon (approximately 1 cup)
- Filtered coffee (from coffee machine) = 60-120mg per 250ml cup
- Tea = 10-50mg per 250ml cup (strength depends on brewing time)
- Energy drinks = 80mg per 250ml can
- Coca Cola = 48.75mg per 375ml can
- Dark chocolate = 21mg per 50g (approximately 2 rows)
Reviewed by the Healthylife Advisory Board March 2022
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you have any concerns or questions about your health you should consult with a health professional.