Black coffee side effects can include gastric irritation and increased acidity, particularly during the monsoon season when digestive issues are more common. The damp weather, contaminated food, and frequent infections prevalent during this time increase the likelihood of experiencing acidity, bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pains.
How Caffeine Affects the Stomach
Coffee acts as a stimulant to produce additional gastric acid that helps with the digestion process. In cases where the person suffers from acid reflux, gastritis, or peptic ulcers, this effect may only worsen the symptoms of heartburn, pain in the upper part of the abdomen, nausea, and a sour taste in the mouth.
Caffeine also induces bowel movement through increased colonic activity. Though this is beneficial for those suffering from constipation, it tends to make things worse for people suffering from diarrhea or stomach cramps following a stomach infection, which happens more frequently in the rainy season. Since diarrhea itself leads to dehydration, one must avoid excessive consumption of coffee till the stomach heals.
In an exclusive interaction with TheHealthSite.com, Dr. Saiprasad Lad, Consultant – Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist and Therapeutic GI Endoscopist at S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mumbai, explained that people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) also need to be careful. Though consumption of coffee does not cause IBS, it is a known trigger that may aggravate bloating and abdominal pain as well as change in bowel habits in certain people.
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Safe Consumption Guidelines
The quantity of coffee consumed, and timing of its consumption matters as well. Having several cups of coffee daily, especially if it is very strong, along with spicy and oily/greasy foods during the monsoon season would put you at a greater risk of acidity and indigestion. Having coffee immediately after a meal may lead to indigestion.
Water consumption is another significant factor to consider. It is often seen that people consume little amount of water during the monsoon season due to cold weather. While moderate consumption of coffee cannot make a person dehydrated, those who suffer from diarrhoea or vomiting need to focus on drinking water rather than coffee.
Experts suggest that one or two cups of coffee per day can be safely consumed during the monsoon by healthy people. The main thing here is moderation. Never drink coffee on an empty stomach; always drink it along with a proper meal; keep hydrated and observe food safety rules. In case digestive complaints like persistent acid reflux, recurring abdominal pain, diarrhoea, presence of blood in feces, or unexplained weight loss are experienced, then it is key to consult a physician, and not just attribute the problem to coffee being consumed.
