While previous studies have suggested that the effect is linked to the caffeine in coffee, researchers from the University of Texas claim that this isn’t actually the case. In the study, the researchers fed coffee to rats, and found that the drink increased muscle motility and suppressed bacteria - regardless of the caffeine content. (Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)”Interestingly, these effects are caffeine-independent, because caffeine-free coffee had similar effects as regular coffee.”To understand the effect of coffee on the bowels, the researchers exposed poo to coffee in a petri dish, and studied the composition of rats’ poo after feeding them different concentrations of coffee over three days. The researchers also analysed changes to smooth muscles in the rats’ intestines and colons, and the response of those muscles when exposed directly to coffee. Meanwhile, the amount of bacteria in the rats’ poo also decreased after the animals consumed coffee, and their muscles showed an increased ability to contract.

Source: Daily Mirror May 20, 2019 09:23 UTC