Caffeine & IBD: Here is what we know

Caffeine and IBDWe consume foods and beverages that contain caffeine but do we really know what caffeine is?  In this post we’ll break down what caffeine is, where it’s commonly found, and the relationship it has with IBD. What is caffeine?Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant that affects the central nervous system (CNS).  Caffeine is widely consumed in our society and can be found in a generous amount of foods and beverages.  Coffee, teas, cocoa, and cacao beans contain caffeine in its natural form while it can be added to other products including sodas, candies, and other beverages.  Research has shown that consuming up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day is safe to have (1).  This is the equivalent of 4 cups of coffee (or matcha). Green tea and matcha tend to be much lower per cup of caffeine – each cup being about a half or a fourth of the caffeine found in coffee – although this varies with how concentrated you make it.What is the relationship between caffeine and IBD?First off, caffeine alone doesn’t cause harm to our gut, cause flare ups or inflammation. Which is a huge win for those of us dealing with fatigue with […]