Doctor warned about the harm of coffee for some people

Gastroenterologist Olga Chistik told "Lenta.ru" how coffee affects the gastrointestinal tract and in which cases it's worth giving up its consumption.

According to the specialist, coffee enhances the reflex reaction of the intestine to food entering the stomach. In people with irritable bowel syndrome, this can lead to frequent urges to defecate, spasms, and diarrhea.

"In people with sensitive stomachs, coffee reduces the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter, which causes heartburn and belching. For those with gastritis or reflux, it's better to consume coffee with food and only in the first half of the day," Chistik clarified.

She also emphasized that drinking coffee on an empty stomach with digestive system diseases is extremely undesirable, as the beverage stimulates the production of acid that irritates the stomach lining. Additionally, coffee itself does not cause dehydration, however, with insufficient water consumption, it can contribute to constipation.