Bloating from drinking coffee may or may not be related to an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions typically cause more symptoms than just abdominal swelling. Food-related allergies are commonly confused with food intolerances because both conditions cause digestive symptoms after eating certain foods. If drinking coffee causes consistent bloating, call your doctor for further evaluation. Testing is required to diagnose an allergy to one or more of the ingredients in coffee.
Bloating
Bloating is abdominal fullness and visible swelling in the abdomen that results from excessive gas trapped in the intestines. It is commonly accompanied by gas pains that can cause sharp, jabbing pains throughout your abdomen. If bloating is the result of an allergic reaction, you will also develop nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, skin rashes, shortness of breathe, nasal congestion and lightheadedness. Food allergies affect more than the digestive system and can lead to severe symptoms if not properly treated.
Coffee Allergy
A genuine allergic reaction is confirmed through testing that identifies the creation of immunoglobulin E antibodies when a suspected substance is introduced into a sample of blood. You can develop an allergy to any substance, such as coffee, but an allergic reaction may be the result of the caffeine, milk or nut flavoring added to certain coffee beverages. The cause of an allergic reaction after drinking coffee is an overreaction of the immune system to one or more of the ingredients in the coffee drink that causes the body to attack the substance.
Lactose Intolerance Consideration
Milk is commonly added to coffee and some specialty coffee beverages are primarily made with milk, such as cappuccino or a café latte. Milk contains a complex sugar called lactose that commonly causes bloating in people who are lactase deficient. Lactase is a digestive enzyme needed to break down lactose in the intestines. If you lack enough lactase to digest lactose, the sugar will enter the colon undigested, causing increased gas, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Another condition that may be confused with an allergic reaction is irritable bowel syndrome. This condition is a chronic digestive disorder that mainly affects the large intestine. Primarily, symptoms of IBS include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea or chronic constipation. Consuming coffee may trigger these symptoms in some people with this condition.
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