Published on: 3/5/2025
Drinking coffee can affect your digestion, and some of its strong aromatic compounds might pass through your body, making your poop smell like coffee.
Coffee contains many flavorful and aromatic compounds that give it its unique smell and taste. When you drink coffee, these compounds can sometimes move through your digestive system without being completely broken down. As a result, they remain in the stool and mix with the other byproducts of digestion. This may lead to poop that smells a bit like coffee. Other foods with similar aromatic profiles might do the same. This change in odor may depend on many factors like how much coffee you drink, your overall diet, and how your gut processes food. A temporary change in the smell of your stool without any other associated symptoms can be normal. However, if you experience other symptoms such as abdominal pain or blood in the stool, talk to a healthcare provider.
(References)
Nehlig A. Effects of Coffee on the Gastro-Intestinal Tract: A Narrative Review and Literature Update. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 17;14(2):399. doi: 10.3390/nu14020399. PMID: 35057580; PMCID: PMC8778943.
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