Caffeine Effects On The Digestive Tract

Caffeine is a powerful stimulant commonly found in sports energy drinks, over-the-counter medications, coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate bars and other food and beverages, and used by over 80 percent of adults in North America, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Moderate amounts of caffeine are generally well tolerated, but can cause adverse reactions in your digestive tract.

Stomach Irritation

Getting too much caffeine can cause an increase in the production of gastric acid secretions leading to stomach irritation. Doses in excess of 100 mg -- about one small cup of coffee -- stimulate your digestive tract to produce excess gastric acid, according to the University of Utah College of Pharmacy.

Acid Reflux

Having too many caffeinated drinks can contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This acid reflux can burn or damage the lining of the esophagus. Commonly called heartburn or indigestion, GERD occurs when digestive juices rise up with the food in your stomach into the esophagus. Other complications from this condition include ulcers in the esophagus, inflammation in the throat or larynx, lung infections and asthma.

Diarrhea

Drinking coffee or eating foods containing caffeine affects the digestive tract and may cause diarrhea in certain people, according to the National Institutes of Health. Caffeine in food and drinks can cause your internal anal sphincter muscles to relax, allowing digested food and liquids to pass quickly through your digestive tract and flow through the relaxed muscles. Diarrhea can cause dehydration and in turn a loss of important minerals such as potassium, sodium and electrolytes.

Gastrointestinal Irritant

Having that morning cup of coffee can aggravate pre-existing gastrointestinal problems. Conditions such as Crohn's disease can result in inflammation of your digestive tract anywhere from your mouth to your rectum, and the swelling can cause pain and diarrhea. Colitis, another gastrointestinal problem aggravated by caffeine, causes inflammation of the inner lining of the colon, which leads to pain, diarrhea and sometimes bloody stools. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is another digestive tract disorder affected by caffeine. IBS results in abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, cramping and bloating.

Caffeine Doses

Consuming small amounts of caffeine will not cause you harm, but consuming too much can affect and may even harm your digestive tract. Consuming less than 600 mg per day is considered an acceptable dose of caffeine, according to New South Wales Health. One cup of fresh brewed coffee may contain anywhere form 80 to 350 mg of caffeine, depending on how strong the brew; black, white or green tea contains 8 to 90 mg per cup; cola, 35 mg for approximately 2 cups; and a chocolate bar, 20 to 60 mg per average size bar.