Published on
updated on
Reading 2 min.
in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)
Medical validation:
October 02, 2024
Introduce coffee into your rectum… Although this technique seems surprising at first, it nevertheless appeals to thousands of people on Tiktok. Decryption of a high-risk practice.
After the “Espresso” makeup and the “Barbara’s Rhubarb Bar” dance challenge, time for the coffee enema? If this trend seems to be causing a sensation on Tiktok, it’s because it promises to “deeply detoxify the colon”. A practice which is however not without risks, believes Dr Gérald Kierzek.
Introducing coffee into the rectum, a bad idea?
If, in 2018, actress Gwyneth Paltrow was already praising the benefits of this practice, in reality this coffee enema is not new.
According to Dr Michaël Bensoussan, gastroenterologist at Charles-Le Moyne Hospital interviewed by the media TVA Newsit would even be an ancestral method.
“Imagine that these practices of coffee enemas are as old as time. You know, all societies have been consuming coffee for thousands of years and consuming it in various ways has been documented for a long time.” he confides.
But whether this practice dates from yesterday or today, it remains dangerous in all cases.
The idea of using coffee rectally to detoxify the intestines has not only been widely refuted by experts around the world, but it also risks damaging your intestines.
Dr Gérald Kierzek’s opinion on the subject
The introduction of coffee into the rectum, as suggested by some influencers on TikTok, “est a potentially dangerous (and unnecessary) practice“, confirms the medical director of Doctissimo.
- Indeed, hot coffee “can cause severe burns to the rectal and intestinal mucosa” ;
- Inserting objects or liquids into the rectum”can lead to perforation, a potentially fatal complication” ;
- The acidity of coffeecan cause severe irritation and inflammation of the rectum and colon (colitis and ulcerative colitis)” ;
- Frequent coffee enemascan seriously disrupt the electrolyte balance of the body but also the cardiovascular system (particularly in the case of large quantities as is the case with several liters of coffee)” ;
- There is also “a risk of serious infection which can lead to sepsis” ;
- Finally, this practice “can disrupt the balance of intestinal flora, essential for digestive health.”
“The coffee must therefore remain in your cup and must under no circumstances be introduced rectally!” reminds the doctor in conclusion.
Slide: 10 tips for taking care of your intestinal transit