Like you, many have raised concerns about coughing after drinking coffee. Thus, it is vital to understand if it really makes you cough and why coffee makes you cough. In this article, I give you all details on this topic.

Probably, the cough was already present, and coffee only triggered it to come out. That’s because coffee does not make you cough, but it worsens an existing cough. If you consume coffee in excess, it leads to a dry throat, thus causing a prolonged cough.

Related: Does Coffee Cause Heartburn?

Does Coffee Cause Cough?

Coffee does not cause a cough unless you drink it quickly, which will make it choke you. Besides, none of the coffee ingredients causes coughing.

Even so, coffee contains caffeine as an active ingredient. In certain instances, the caffeine in coffee can make you cough. However, the most common side effects of excessive caffeine are;

• Headaches
• High blood pressure
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Muscle tremors
• Frequent urination
• Increase in heart rate
• Irritability

Why Does Coffee Make You Cough?

Generally, when you cough after sipping your coffee, you often associate the cough with it. But that might not be the case. Probably, the cough was just present, but coffee infuriated it.

You may be having an allergy reaction or a cold, and coffee just played a role in helping you notice the symptoms.

Consuming coffee in moderation has no harm, but only contributes to your daily fluids. However, excessive coffee consumption can worsen your cough.

Here is the thing; coffee is a diuretic. That’s to mean; it causes frequent bathroom visits. Thus, drinking large amounts of coffee can dehydrate your body. The dehydration makes your throat dry, leading to prolonged and forceful coughs.

Therefore, I advise you to avoid coffee if you have a cold or a kicking allergy. The illnesses already make you lose water. So, if you add coffee to your body, it may be hard for your body to fight pathogens or allergens for you to heal.

The bottom line is coffee’s dehydration effects worsen your existing cough. But coffee does not cause a cough. It only makes you notice the symptoms. And this is where you may assume that coffee makes you cough.

Also read: Why Does My Coffee Taste Metallic?

Caffeine Intolerance Extreme Coughing Cases

You may encounter two instances where caffeine in coffee causes extreme coughing. They include allergic reactions and heart issues.

1. Allergic Reaction

If you drink coffee for the first time, then start to cough continuously, it could be an allergic reaction. You either react to the coffee itself or to one of the ingredients in the coffee.

It is rare to experience coffee allergies, regardless of whether it is towards the caffeine or the coffee beans. But if you feel you have an allergic reaction towards coffee, below are the symptoms to check out for;

• Trouble swallowing
• Skin rashes
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Coughing or shortness of breath
• Weak pulse
• Diarrhea
• Loss of consciousness

2. Heart Issues

If consumed in excess, caffeine may trigger heart disease episodes. Therefore, those suffering from heart attacks may start to cough a lot.

Don’t panic if you don’t have a heart condition. There will be no harm to your heart if you continue taking your caffeine in moderation. But for those with heart conditions, talk to your doctor before consuming too much caffeine.

Can You Drink Coffee When You Are Sick?

Naturally, when you are sick, you often prefer drinks and foods you love. And that may include a cup of coffee. However, is it safe to drink it when sick? Coffee has its pros and cons. Therefore, it all depends on the type of illness you are suffering.

If your sickness is mild and causing you to lose energy, you may get some energy boost from coffee with no harm. But you have to drink your coffee in moderation.

But for those with severe diarrhea and vomiting, drinking coffee would cause more harm than good. Since it is a diuretic, it may draw fluids from your body through excessive urination, causing dehydration.

Coffee may also irritate stomach ulcers. As you know, coffee is acidic. Therefore, if you have active stomach ulcers or any other acid-related digestive problem, it can worsen the situation.

Furthermore, coffee interacts with certain medications. These may include antibiotics and stimulant drugs. Therefore, it is vital to consult your doctor to know if it’s safe to drink coffee while under medications given.

And since it is the caffeine in coffee interacting with these drugs, you can opt for other caffeine-free coffee alternatives. Some of the best options would be garlic coffee and decaf coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

Coughing is not a side effect of drinking coffee. However, coffee can worsen an existing cough. But if you believe that your coffee is making you cough, it can be because of an illness like a heart attack or coffee allergy, which is rare. If that is the case, you may experience the cough together with other symptoms. I advise you to talk to your doctor if the cough is alarming.