Many people drink caffeine every day without any adverse symptoms, such as stomach bloating. Bloating occurs when gas becomes trapped in your digestive system, placing pressure on your abdomen and causing your waistline to grow. Bloating is not a common side effect of ingesting caffeine and should be evaluated by a medical doctor. The most probable causes for bloating from caffeine consumption are digestive conditions, caffeine overdose and drinking carbonation.
Caffeine
Caffeine is an odorless, tasteless chemical that has the ability to help wake you up or provide mental clarity. Caffeine is commonly found in certain medications, carbonated beverages, coffee, tea and chocolate. Moderate caffeine consumption may cause you to feel excited, irritable and sleepless, but it should not produce bloating.
Digestive Conditions
Caffeine is an irritant that could trigger symptoms of various digestive conditions, resulting in bloating. Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that affects about one in five Americans with chronic diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, bloating and gas, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Irritable bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, can also be affected by caffeine consumption. These conditions need to remain under the watch of a physician. Report any symptoms from drinking caffeine to your doctor if you've been diagnosed with a digestive disease.
Overdose
Bloating is a common symptom of caffeine overdose. Caffeine is a stimulant drug that can have a negative impact on the body when taken in excess. Drugs.com states that an adult should not consume more than 1,000 mg of caffeine within a 24-hour period. The average 8-ounce cup of coffee contains about 133 milligrams of caffeine. If you suspect that you've overdosed in caffeine, call emergency medical personnel immediately to prevent further complications. Other signs associated with caffeine overdose include dehydration, abdominal pain, fever, headache, irregular heartbeat, fast breathing rate, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, muscle twitching and increased sensitivity.
Drinking Carbonation
Many caffeinated beverages are carbonated, which is one of the main causes of bloating, according to MayoClinc.com. The carbonation from the beverage can create excessive amounts of air in your stomach and intestines, which will result in swelling of the abdomen. Most people are able to expel the excess air through belching, but if you're more prone to bloating, avoid carbonated beverages.
Milk Consideration
If you only develop bloating after drinking coffee that contains milk or creamer, you may be lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest the sugar found in milk, which commonly causes bloating, gas and diarrhea.
