We’re on record warning DUDE Nation about the potential for coffee to cause bathroom blowouts. We’ve all had to sprint to the toilet with our butt cheeks clenched after slugging a cup of joe. Accordingly, people are making the switch to matcha to get their morning caffeine fix without pooping their pants.
Well, we’ve got some sh*tty news for you…
For the uninitiated, matcha is a type of powdered green tea that originated in Japan. It has a vibrant green color because of chlorophyll and a vegetal, earthy flavor. Matcha comes in many forms, including lattes, smoothies, boba tea, and even donuts. Much like regular green tea, matcha is packed with powerful antioxidants and amino acids that can protect your heart, brain, and liver.
Butt it’s also packed with caffeine that revs up your colon. Keep reading to get the scoop on how matcha affects your gut and butt.
Does Matcha Make You Poop?
We’ll give it to you straight: Matcha can definitely make you poop fast—we’re talking fewer than ten minutes. That’s because matcha contains caffeine, a natural stimulant that triggers muscle contractions in your digestive system to speed up the passage of stool.
Matcha only has about half the caffeine content as a cup of coffee (70 mg vs. 140 mg). But that’s still more than enough to cook up a bowel movement.
Caffeine isn’t the only factor that makes matcha a natural laxative though. It also contains catechins: an antioxidant in tea leaves that revs up the production of gastric juices in your gut, creating a laxative effect.
Bottom line: If you guzzle that green drink, don’t be surprised if you have to drop a deuce in a hurry.
5 Digestive Health Benefits of Matcha
The TikTok influencers aren’t full of sh*t: Matcha really is good for your gut health.
“Unlike regular green tea, matcha green tea is believed to exert beneficial effects on the gut microbiota, as it is richer in nutrients such as tea catechins and insoluble dietary fiber,” researchers note in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition.
Let’s break down 5 digestive health benefits:
1. Rich in Antioxidants
Matcha is loaded with antioxidants, particularly catechins. These bad boys combat oxidative stress in the body, which is a common culprit of gut inflammation and digestive issues.
2. Supports Good Gut Bacteria
Studies show matcha may promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. These bacteria are the MVPs of maintaining gut health by aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and supporting your immune system.
3. Contains L-theanine
Matcha is a solid source of L-theanine, an amino acid known for its calming effects on the mind and body. L-theanine may also have positive effects on gut health by reducing stress and anxiety levels, which can influence gut function and alleviate symptoms of digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
4. Reduces Inflammation
Chronic inflammation in your gut can trigger all kinds of digestive problems, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The antioxidants in matcha have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help alleviate symptoms associated with gut inflammation.
5. Improves Digestive Function
Some research suggests that the catechins in matcha may help regulate digestive enzymes, which help your body break down food and absorb nutrients. By promoting optimal digestive function, matcha may help prevent common digestive issues like bloating, constipation, and indigestion.
Is It Bad to Drink Matcha on an Empty Stomach?
Matcha might be good for your gut health, but recently, diehard matcha fans have been suffering from severe tummy troubles. The issue? Drinking matcha on an empty stomach.
“Do not have Starbucks matcha on an empty stomach,” wrote Maeve Madden in a TikTok. “I am in sooo much pain right now.”
Madden, a matcha fiend, insisted it was her first time drinking Starbucks’ version of the oat milk iced matcha tea latte—and “instantly” regretted it.
“Halfway through my drink, I started experiencing stomach cramps that became more and more severe,” Madden told the Post. “I felt nauseous and felt severe contractions throughout my whole abdomen.”
After dozens of other TikTokers shared similar experiences, the self-proclaimed “Matcha Mommy,” shared some pro tips to help green drink guzzlers avoid the rumbles.
“You should avoid drinking matcha if you haven’t eaten yet,” she said in a TikTok. “Having matcha on an empty stomach can temporarily increase stomach acid levels, which can then cause an upset stomach.”
She’s right: The caffeine in matcha speeds up your bowels, which can lead to loose, watery, explosive stools. Matcha also contains tea tannins—or tannic acid—which is notorious for causing nausea and indigestion when consumed on an empty stomach. That’s because tannins can interfere with the enzyme function in your gastrointestinal tract.
If you ignore that advice and find yourself in an emergency shit-uation, here are some tips to tame your tummy:
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid lying down
- Eat some raw ginger
- Steer clear of booze
- Try the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast
We’re Ready for Your Massive Matcha Poops
As you can see, coffee isn’t the only thing to blame for the long bathroom lines at Starbucks. If you guzzle that green liquid, don’t be surprised when something similar comes out the other end.
Matcha poops can strike when you least expect them: during a Zoom meeting, in the car, at the gym. That’s why you should make a habit of having a DUDE Wipe handy any time matcha’s on the menu. You’ll thank us later when you don’t have to burn through a whole roll of dry toilet paper to clean your undercarriage.
