Study: Coffee improves digestion and reduces acidity

A study conducted in Denmark indicated that drinking coffee regularly affects not only the groups of organisms in the small intestine but also the function of the digestive system itself.

The researchers pointed out that the study showed, like previous studies, that coffee drinkers have a greater diversity of microorganisms in their intestines than those who drink coffee less frequently.

Francesca Bucci, head of the research team from the University of Copenhagen, said in a statement that those who constantly drink coffee have increased colon contractions, which can support healthy digestion, help prevent constipation, and keep the intestinal muscles in good condition.

Researchers in the journal (Jet Microbiology) also noted that coffee consumers have a significantly lower level of acidity in the small intestine. Researchers do not yet know whether low pH is beneficial or harmful, but they point out that it plays an important role in how food is broken down.

The 61 study participants swallowed small electronic capsules that traveled through the digestive system with the aim of measuring temperature, acidity levels, and intestinal contractions, among other things. As for those who were considered regular coffee drinkers in the study, they drank at least one cup a day on more than three of the eight days that the study took.

The study cannot prove that these differences are due to coffee consumption, but the researchers pointed out that it is known to affect a group of processes in the digestive system, including acid secretion in the stomach.

“A very large number of people suffer from constipation and irregular bowel movements,” Henrik Münch-Roger, co-author of the study from the University of Copenhagen, said in a statement. He added, "If we can understand how coffee affects digestion and intestinal contractions, it may be possible to use this knowledge to stimulate bowel movement in a natural way."