A popular morning beverage beloved by millions worldwide may be behind two surprisingly common yet often misunderstood bodily reactions. According to Dr. Amir Khan, a British GP and television medical expert, coffee could be the culprit behind a pair of “weird” symptoms that, while seemingly random, are far from rare.
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed drinks on the planet, with approximately 12.6 percent of the global population—around one billion people indulging in the caffeinated pick-me-up daily. Renowned for its energizing effects and even associated with potential health benefits such as reduced risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, coffee is a staple in many morning routines.
However, as Dr. Amir explained in a video shared to his Instagram account, some less-discussed side effects may surprise habitual coffee drinkers. His post, titled “Weird symptoms you get and always wondered about”, sheds light on two frequent coffee-related reactions.
Eyelid Twitching (Myokymia)
The first symptom Dr. Amir addressed is the mysterious and often annoying eyelid twitch. Officially known as myokymia, this involuntary muscle spasm typically affects the muscles around the eye.
“You know, when your eyelid starts twitching for no reason, like it’s doing its own little dance? That’s called myokymia,” Dr. Amir explained. “It’s a spontaneous, involuntary muscle contraction usually of a particular muscle in the eyelid.”
He added that caffeine is a well-known trigger, alongside stress and fatigue. While usually harmless, the symptom can be unsettling. “You don’t need to worry about it. It’s benign and self-limiting in most cases, but if it does spread beyond the eye or doesn’t stop after a few weeks, speak to your GP,” he advised.
Increased Urge to Use the Bathroom
Another common coffee-related phenomenon is the sudden need to visit the toilet, particularly in the morning. Dr. Amir confirmed that this is not unusual. “Have you ever noticed how coffee goes straight through you, particularly first thing in the morning?” he asked. “That’s thanks to your gastrocolic reflex, a natural response where stretching the stomach sends signals to the colon to get moving.”
Caffeine enhances this reflex by stimulating gastrin, a hormone that increases gut movement. “It’s not diarrhea, it’s just your gut waking up to its clock and doing its job,” Dr. Amir reassured. Though generally harmless, these peculiar symptoms are yet another example of how powerful coffee’s effects can be, even beyond the caffeine buzz.