Caffeine and IBS: Decaf and caffeine-free never tasted so good

Abdominal cramping, bloating and painful bowel movements are debilitating symptoms that might come and go for the average person with the stomach flu. However, if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), these symptoms are as familiar as your own reflection. What is perhaps unfamiliar to IBS suffers is that a plausible form of relief may come from choosing decaffeinated and caffeine-free beverages over their caffeine-laden counterparts.

IBS is often treated successfully with prescription antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-spasmodic drugs, but further relief is possible by reducing your caffeine intake. Abundant in our favorite coffees, teas and colas, caffeine is a stimulant that causes the stomach to produce excess acid, which is why caffeine is thought to contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease.

While excess acid in the stomach might actually aid the immediate breakdown of foods, the danger for IBS sufferers lies farther down the digestive tract. When the stomach contains too much acid it cannot empty its contents into the small intestine at its normal efficiency level.

By the time the contests reach the large intestine, caffeine’s effect has caused the contents to speed up their travels. Surplus acid and such hurried passage through the large intestine result in abdominal pain, bloating, cramping and diarrhea – exacerbating IBS symptoms.

As result of caffeine causing the stomach to produce excess acid, doctors often recommend keeping a food journal, recording caffeine consumption and subsequent symptoms to determine if caffeine is worsening you IBS symptoms. Of a connection is made, then eliminating caffeine from your diet could reduce your symptoms.

You can only help yourself in your quest to eradicate your symptoms by finding appealing alternatives to caffeine-laden beverages. After all, what good is an early morning wakeup jolt if you have to spend all afternoon in the bathroom?