Colitis is a disease characterized by chronic swelling and sores called ulcers in the lining of your colon and rectum. It causes your colon to empty frequently, triggering abdominal cramping and diarrhea, which is often bloody. In addition to medical treatments, dietary changes play an important role in managing your symptoms, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Depending on how it affects you, caffeine may worsen or improve your condition.
Potential Risks
Foods and beverages affect people with colitis differently. Caffeine, however, is among the list of common symptom triggers. As a stimulant, caffeine may increase muscle contractions in your body. When the muscles in your digestive system contract, it can cause or worsen cramping and diarrhea. Caffeine also has diuretic properties, meaning it may flush fluids from your body. The CCFA recommends drinking at least 70 oz. of non-caffeinated beverages, such as water, to guard against dehydration, particularly when your symptoms are peaked. Symptoms of dehydration may include thirst, fatigue, physical weakness, mental confusion and depressive moods.
Potential Benefits
If caffeine does not worsen your symptoms, antioxidant-rich sources may boost your body's ability to resist and heal from infections and disease. In a study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in May 2006, researchers followed the intake of coffee, which is rich in antioxidants, and deaths associated with heart disease and inflammatory bowel disease among 41,836 postmenopausal women for 15 years. Women who consumed 4 to 5 cups of coffee per day were less likely to die as a result of their disease than women who consumed 1 to 3 cups per day. Researchers concluded that antioxidants may play a valuable role in reducing inflammation and guard against heart disease and IBDs, such as colitis. Moderate caffeine intake is also associated with improved mental sharpness and energy and short-term relief of fatigue and drowsiness.
Sources
Common sources of caffeine include coffee, espresso, black tea, ice tea, soft drinks, energy drinks and chocolate. Energy drinks and coffee contain more caffeine per serving than other foods and drinks. Three 8-oz. cups of coffee provides about 250mg of caffeine, which is considered moderate or average. If you are particularly sensitive to caffeine, take caution with energy drinks, which often contain additional stimulatory ingredients, such as ginseng or guarana, and may not indicate the amount of caffeine and other stimulants contained. Numerous supplements and medications, such as pain and migraine-reducing drugs, and coffee-flavored ice cream and candies, also contain caffeine.
Suggestions
If you suspect that caffeine triggers or exacerbates your symptoms, choose caffeine-free foods and beverages most often. If you're unsure which foods are problematic, the CCFA recommends keeping a diary that tracks your food intake and symptoms. Bring your diary to a dietitian who can help you establish an eating plan that fulfills your nutrient needs. Other common colitis triggers include fatty foods, fiber-rich foods, such as popcorn and bran, dairy products, carbonated beverages and alcohol. Because nutrient deficiencies are common among people with IBDs, aiming for a well-balanced diet that contains foods from all vital nutrient groups, including complex carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fats, is important. If you decide to cut back on caffeine, do so gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, nausea and irritability.
References
- Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America; Diet and Nutrition; June 2011
- University of Washington: Neuroscience for Kids: Caffeine
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Consumption of coffee is associated with reduced risk of death attributed to inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases in the Iowa Women's Health Study; Lene Frost Andersen et al.; May 2006
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Caffeine in the diet; David C. Dugdale, III, M.D.; May 2009
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