Should you drink coffee if you have IBS, bloating or stomach problems?

You might not have to give it up.

If you have IBS, bloating or a sensitive tummy, but love a morning coffee to kick start your day, you may be wondering if you should be drinking it at all. In fact, it's one of the most common questions I get asked in clinic.

Caffeine in coffee can stimulate muscle activity in the colon, which can create an urge to rush to the toilet. It can vary dramatically from person to person, though – just like your coffee order!

Certain foods and drinks can trigger symptoms like bloating, wind and pain if you have a digestive condition like IBS or ulcerative colitis, or a sensitive stomach. Coffee and tea are known as bowel stimulants, so you might need to avoid them. However this isn't a blanket rule. In fact, you can drink coffee on the low FODMAP diet, a special diet used in IBS management. Coffee is low in FODMAPs, which means it may be fine in moderation. And a morning cup can help some people with constipation, for example.

Understanding your personal triggers is important when it comes to deciding on whether to keep your morning cup of coffee. You can explore this by keeping a food diary for a week (email us if you'd like a simple food and symptom diary template). This can help you identify if coffee affects you. It may not always be caffeine that is causing symptoms for instance, it might be the lactose in the milk. f you're unsure, bring your food and symptom diary along to your next appointment.

If you love coffee but it kicks off your symptoms, try:

☕ Having your coffee after breakfast, rather than on an empty stomach

☕ Sticking to just one small, perfect cup each day

☕ Some tasty alternatives. Rooibos tea with milk is caffeine-free, and closer to coffee and tea in flavour than other herbal teas. You can also try instant coffee, to see if that is easier on your gut. Decaffeinated coffee is another alternative to experiment with.