Close
Photo:Design elements: Getty Images. Collage: Cassie Basford.
Design elements: Getty Images. Collage: Cassie Basford.
Detoxification is not a new health trend. Especially when scrolling online, you might find people claiming they know just the thing to help detox your body overnight, whether that be a juice cleanse, days of fasting or the next best exercise. Here atEatingWell, we know that those with functioning livers and kidneysdon’t need to do anything to detox. Your body has it covered naturally. But we also recognize that some posts may seem convincing—and potentially surprising. One such detox trend that is gaining traction on social media is coffee enemas. But what is an enema in the first place, and why would you want to use coffee for one?
A coffee enema is a bit different, since it’s not used only for relieving constipation. Rather, people are also claiming it helps them feel more energized, relieve pain and even clear brain fog. But the question remains: Are coffee enemas safe, or necessary? Read on for all you need to know.
How Often Should You Poop & Is It Every Day? Here’s What Doctors Say
Potential Benefits of Coffee Enemas
Dr. Isaacs also toldEatingWelldirectly, “Almost all my patients tell me that coffee enemas have become their favorite activity of the day…because they feel better afterwards. Coffee enemas can help with headaches, fatigue, muscle aches and pains and brain fog, among other things.” She also claims that “coffee enemas increase the flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder,” according to studies performed on cancer patients in the mid-to-late 20th century.
Some medical professionals like Dr. Isaacs are actively recommending the procedure to their patients to relieve symptoms of any relevant conditions or to simply feel better and more energized. However, to date, there is no reliable scientific evidence to prove that coffee enemas are beneficial for people’s health in any capacity.
What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Coffee Every Day
Potential Risks of Coffee Enemas
Many negative outcomes have been reported due to coffee enemas. Researchers discovered instances where patients experienced burns, colitis (colon inflammation) and infections after self-administered coffee enemas.Due to the self-administered nature of these cases, there is no way to determine if the enemas in question were performed safely. Therefore, more research is needed to determine the effects of scientifically controlled coffee enemas on the body.
However, Dr. Semina Garg from Cleveland Clinic mentions that aside from colitis, “coffee enemas can cause tenesmus, a condition in which the nerves in your lower bowels begin to overreact and cause muscle spasms, so you have a frequent urge to go to the bathroom even when you can’t.”According to Dr. Garg, anyone experiencing these symptoms after performing a coffee enema should refrain from all enemas to prevent further irritation and damage.
As for professionals who are recommending coffee enemas to patients currently, Dr. Isaacs informed us that “anyone with colitis or other severe colon illnesses, or anyone that takes a diuretic or has serious heart, liver or kidney problems” shouldn’t try a coffee enema. Per Isaacs, anyone else who is interested in trying a coffee enema should “do so under the care of a medical professional.”
Ways to Stay Regular Naturally
While a coffee enema could sound like a quick fix to symptoms like constipation, headache and fatigue, there is a lack of evidence to show they are safe for your body. Luckily, the body has a great, built-in system for keeping you regular and feeling your best. Here are a few ways to support it:
Physical Activity
Doctors recommend that the best thing you can do for bowel regularity is establishan exercise routine. Whether that involves going on bouts of aerobic exercise like walking or swimming, or practicing relaxation through meditation or yoga, these activities can each help your body make you “go” when you need to. Plus,exercise is a good way to feel more energizedand stimulate your mind, potentially helping to relieve symptoms of fatigue.
Balanced Eating Habits
Fortifying a well-balanced eating pattern withfiber-rich foodslike fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes and whole grains is a great way to help your body maintain regular bowel movements. In addition to its benefits for healthy digestion, a fiberful diet offers a plethora of other health benefits for yourbones, gut, heartand more.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re drinking enough water each day. Theamount of H2O you needdaily varies from person to person, but staying hydrated is important for helping your digestive tract function at its best,especially with a fiber-rich diet.
What Happens to Your Body When You Take Laxatives for Constipation Every Day
The Bottom Line
Some doctors are in favor of recommending coffee enemas to their patients, but many have dismissed the potential effectiveness of the procedure due to complications in past case studies. Ultimately, there isn’t significant enough scientific evidence to prove or disprove that coffee enemas have the health benefits that some medical professionals claim they do.
If you are experiencing symptoms of bowel irregularity, there are natural ways to combat constipation, including regular exercise and a balanced eating pattern. But if you are still curious to try a coffee enema for yourself, be sure to consult your medical provider about taking the right steps.
Up next:6 Totally Normal Reasons You’re Constipated, According to a Dietitian
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Isaacs LL. Coffee Enemas: A Narrative Review.Alternative therapies in health and medicine. 2021;27(3).https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33711817/. Accessed February 15, 2024.Son H, Song HJ, Seo H-J, Lee H, Choi SM, Lee S. The safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enema.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(36). doi:10.1097/md.0000000000021998Coffee Enemas are the next hot trend you shouldn’t try. Cleveland Clinic. December 18, 2023. Accessed February 16, 2024.https://health.clevelandclinic.org/coffee-enema.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Isaacs LL. Coffee Enemas: A Narrative Review.Alternative therapies in health and medicine. 2021;27(3).https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33711817/. Accessed February 15, 2024.Son H, Song HJ, Seo H-J, Lee H, Choi SM, Lee S. The safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enema.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(36). doi:10.1097/md.0000000000021998Coffee Enemas are the next hot trend you shouldn’t try. Cleveland Clinic. December 18, 2023. Accessed February 16, 2024.https://health.clevelandclinic.org/coffee-enema.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Isaacs LL. Coffee Enemas: A Narrative Review.Alternative therapies in health and medicine. 2021;27(3).https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33711817/. Accessed February 15, 2024.Son H, Song HJ, Seo H-J, Lee H, Choi SM, Lee S. The safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enema.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(36). doi:10.1097/md.0000000000021998Coffee Enemas are the next hot trend you shouldn’t try. Cleveland Clinic. December 18, 2023. Accessed February 16, 2024.https://health.clevelandclinic.org/coffee-enema.
Isaacs LL. Coffee Enemas: A Narrative Review.Alternative therapies in health and medicine. 2021;27(3).https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33711817/. Accessed February 15, 2024.
Son H, Song HJ, Seo H-J, Lee H, Choi SM, Lee S. The safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enema.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(36). doi:10.1097/md.0000000000021998
Coffee Enemas are the next hot trend you shouldn’t try. Cleveland Clinic. December 18, 2023. Accessed February 16, 2024.https://health.clevelandclinic.org/coffee-enema.
