Introduction
Many people suffer from occasional stomach aches. Although these often disappear on their own, the pain is often experienced as disturbing and in some situations also as limiting. Often no cause can be found. However, coffee is one of the foods that can cause abdominal pain, especially when consumed in large quantities. Why this is the case and what can be done about it will be explained in the following article.
Causes
Abdominal pain caused by coffee is the result of a whole series of different processes. Especially people who suffer from a sensitive stomach quickly complain of stomach ache as a result of coffee consumption. However, when consumption is high over a longer period of time, this also applies to almost the entire population.
On the one hand, the caffeine contained in coffee in high concentrations stimulates digestion, which can already cause stomach ache in some people, and on the other hand, substances produced during coffee roasting stimulate acid production in the stomach. Particularly on an empty stomach, the latter can lead to hyperacidity of the stomach and lead to the most common symptom after coffee consumption, namely heartburn with stomach ache. As these symptoms are, as already mentioned, not only dependent on the caffeine content of the coffee alone, but to a large extent on other substances produced during roasting, heartburn can also occur with decaffeinated coffee.
It is also currently being discussed whether the consumption of coffee stimulates the release of a hormone, the so-called gastrin, which also leads to an increase in the production of gastric acid. Some researchers have also observed a delayed gastric emptying after drinking coffee. If coffee is consumed without other foods, only the coffee-magensic acid mixture remains in the stomach for longer and leads to the above-mentioned symptoms, such as heartburn, stomach ache and nausea.
In rare cases, and especially if the stomach pain following coffee consumption is accompanied by nausea, sweating and trembling, coffee intolerance should be considered as a cause. In those affected, the above-mentioned symptoms already occur after drinking small amounts of coffee. This is important for differentiation, as it can also occur with excessive coffee consumption.
Many affected persons observe that they tolerate coffee better on some days than on others. The reason for this can be found by looking at the enzyme diaminooxidase, which is responsible in the body for the breakdown of histamine, among other things. Histamine is found throughout the body and is also released in large quantities during allergic reactions.
It leads to a widening of the blood vessels, a narrowing of the bronchial tubes, increased stomach acid production and also influences various centres in the brain. Coffee blocks this enzyme, which can lead to an increased histamine level with symptoms of coffee intolerance, including stomach ache. In menopausal women, the concentration of this enzyme is also lowered, which means that they suffer more quickly from symptoms resulting from coffee consumption.
Abdominal pains, including those caused by increased coffee consumption, present themselves differently in many people. Some feel an unpleasant prick or pressure in the stomach area, others complain of a feeling of fullness and accompanying nausea. It is also not uncommon for the symptoms to change over the course of time.
Very often coffee consumption, especially on an empty stomach or excessive consumption throughout the day, leads to acidic belching and pain behind the breastbone. These symptoms are better known as “heartburn”. In technical terms, it is known as reflux disease, because part of the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, which is not designed for this condition, and damages its mucous membrane.
Heartburn is a widespread condition among the population, which can be made worse by drinking coffee. The symptoms often worsen when lying down, as the stomach acid no longer has to overcome gravity and can therefore flow more easily into the oesophagus. If the stomach is constantly irritated as a result of the increased production of gastric acid when coffee consumption is permanently increased, this can lead to gastritis, better known as inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach.
This manifests itself in stabbing, pressing, mainly left-sided pain in the upper abdomen, which is often accompanied by loss of appetite, a feeling of fullness, nausea and occasional vomiting. Contrary to what is widely assumed, coffee alone does not cause a stomach ulcer. However, coffee is one of the risk factors because it increases the production of gastric acid and can contribute to this in combination with other underlying diseases.
In the case of severe pain in the upper abdomen, which is aggravated by coffee consumption and is accompanied by general malaise and weight loss, a medical examination should therefore be carried out to rule out such a “stomach ulcer“. After the consumption of coffee, other symptoms can also occur, which can also lead to stomach aches. Some suffer from diarrhoea, flatulence or even nausea with vomiting after consumption.
If trembling, nervousness and sweating also occur, an intolerance to coffee should be considered in the long term. The latter symptoms also appear if an extremely large amount of coffee is consumed during the day, i.e. beyond the usual level. The caffeine contained in coffee triggers mechanisms in the central nervous system (CNS) at the molecular level.
The result is a stimulation of the CNS, which, in addition to an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, also causes an increase in urine production with frequent urge to urinate and a stimulation of intestinal movements (technically known as peristalsis). Particularly in people who already suffer from digestive problems, such as those with irritable bowel syndrome or after excessive coffee consumption, this can lead to increased urge to defecate or even diarrhoea, which is often accompanied by abdominal pain. If, independently of the intake of coffee, diarrhoea suddenly occurs with fever and a strong deterioration of the general condition, a doctor should be consulted for further clarification in order to rule out diseases such as gastro-enteritis.
Nausea is a typical symptom, often accompanied by abdominal pain. Immediately after coffee consumption, stomach ache is the most common symptom. People with a sensitive stomach can also experience nausea.
However, nausea can also be a symptom of caffeine withdrawal. In this case, the nausea does not occur immediately after drinking coffee, but rather when no coffee has been drunk for a long time. According to current research, withdrawal symptoms can occur as early as 12 to 24 hours after the last coffee consumption.
Apart from nausea, fatigue, concentration problems, irritability or even muscle pain are typical for such caffeine withdrawal. Already from a caffeine consumption of 200 mg a day, which corresponds to about 7 espressos, the brain gets used to the supplied caffeine. A dependency is possible within 2 weeks if the coffee consumption is high.
If abdominal pain occurs exclusively after drinking coffee with milk, lactose intolerance should be considered. Lactose is better known as lactose. Intolerance is based on the deficiency of a certain enzyme (lactase), which actually breaks down the milk sugar for further use.
The unsplit lactose then passes into the large intestine and is fermented by local bacteria. The gases released during this process are partly responsible for the complaints of lactose intolerance. Those affected suffer quite quickly after the consumption of milk from sometimes severe abdominal pain or cramps, sudden urge to defecate with diarrhoea and foul-smelling flatulence. If no more milk is consumed afterwards, the symptoms can last for 2-3 hours. However, they may also disappear after going to the toilet.
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