Staying Healthy
Why does coffee help with digestion?
Ask the doctor
Q. I love my morning cup of joe, but I've noticed it also sends me straight to the bathroom for a bowel movement. Why can coffee have a laxative effect?
A. Since about half of American adults profess to drink coffee every day, this perennially popular drink must boast some pretty compelling benefits. Beyond waking up our brains, coffee also helps jolt some people's digestive tracts.
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About the Author
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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