Coffee, decaf and digestion
Your morning cup of coffee may help you mentally kickstart the day. But it can also help you get moving internally. For about a third of folks, drinking coffee, even decaf, promotes a bowel movement. (Caffeinated coffee is 23% more effective at that than decaf). And for folks who respond to coffee's gastro-effects, it starts happening about 4 minutes after the first cup.
If you're one of the 16% of folks who deal with constipation -- or the third of those ages 65 and older who contend with it -- you might try using coffee to help move things along. Overcoming constipation is important because it gets rid of some harmful proteins your intestinal bacteria produce that can lead to chronic disease and dementia.
In addition to drinking coffee, other self-care remedies can help you avoid complications of slow-to-go problems, such as cramping, hemorrhoids, anal fissures and an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders and stroke. How to get things moving:
-- Increase fiber intake with 100% whole grains, two prunes a day, vegetables, plus fiber supplements. Aim for a minimum of 25 grams of fiber (mostly insoluble) daily for men and 35 grams for women.
-- Stay well-hydrated.
-- Get 150-300 minutes of exercise weekly. Physical therapy (Kegels for women and men) may help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles if constipation has damaged them.
-- Check with your doc to see if your meds may be the cause. And improve your overall nutrition (your guts will say thank you) with the info in my book "What to Eat When."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2025 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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