Brief
Scientists Detail Seven Unusual Ways Coffee Affects the Body
Research highlights odd impacts of coffee beyond caffeine, including bowel urges, reflux and drug absorption.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Scientists have identified seven of the strangest ways coffee influences the body, according to a report published on scitechdaily.com on September 29, 2026.
The first effect noted is a rapid urge to defecate, reported by about one‑third of participants in a study, occurring with both regular and decaffeinated coffee. The second set of effects involves worsening reflux symptoms, increased intra‑ocular pressure in some glaucoma patients, and potential aggravation of patulous Eustachian tube dysfunction, which can cause unusually loud self‑hearing.
Additional findings show coffee can alter the absorption of certain medicines, such as the thyroid drug levothyroxine and the osteoporosis medication alendronate, potentially reducing their effectiveness.
Key facts
- Around 30% of people report an urge to defecate shortly after drinking coffee, including decaf. (scitechdaily.com)
- Coffee may worsen reflux, raise eye pressure in glaucoma patients, and affect ear tube dysfunction. (scitechdaily.com)
- Coffee can reduce absorption of levothyroxine and alendronate, impacting thyroid and osteoporosis treatments. (scitechdaily.com)
Sources
- [1] scitechdaily.com — originally reported as “Scientist Reveals 7 of the Strangest Things Coffee Does to Your Body”
