Coffee enema’s have become the latest alarming health trend being popularised on social media – but experts issue warnings over the dangerous craze that could lead to serious health risks
TikTok is full of health trends and tips and tricks for a healthy life – but this new trend is ‘dangerous’ according to experts. ‘Coffee enema’ is the latest craze that sees health-conscious coffee drinkers injecting it up their bum.
While many people will usually just drink their morning coffee to wake themselves up in the morning, others are using it in alternative ways for a ‘detox’.
It involves injecting a mixture of brewed, caffeinated coffee and water into the colon through the rectum in a bid to stimulate bile flow and the production of glutathione, a detoxifying antioxidant, according to Healthline, however, there are no medical guidelines about who might benefit from coffee enemas, and more research is necessary to understand the possible benefits.
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For many people, one of the main reported benefits of a coffee enema is relief from constipation and coffee enema supporters claim the procedure can also have other benefits, such as:
- liver detoxification
- intestinal detoxification
- boosting the immune system
- treating cancer
However there is no evidence to support these claims, and more research still needs to be done. The idea originated from a Max Gerson, a German-American doctor who believed that you could detox the body and give it the nutrients it needs to heal itself using an organic plant-based diet, raw juices, and coffee enemas. His rigorous program became known as the Gerson therapy.
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Ginger DeClue, an American detox coach hailed the use of the enema’s in a TikTok video, detailing the “amazing” benefits. One person commented: “They make me feel AMAZING!!”
But many others have shared their concerns over the alarming trend. Beauty expert Trifonia Asmar from Cult Beauty shares her insights on why this method could be harmful for your body and skin. “The coffee enema trend is yet another dangerous DIY wellness hack circulating online,” she said.
“While it might seem like a quick fix, it can pose serious risks from burns and infections to potentially harmful caffeine overdoses. And we urge you to take a far safer and more enjoyable way to take care of your skin and body without injecting coffee.”
It’s dangerous as firstly, your rectum isn’t designed to handle coffee. The caffeine and acids can irritate the delicate tissue, leading to inflammation, pain and even burns if the coffee isn’t cool enough and over time, repeated enemas could damage the mucosal lining, increasing the risk of chronic problems, Dr Nish Manek told BBC.
Because it’s a DIY job, by doing something so invasive, you’re also risking serious infections or even injuries such as rectal tears and these could also lead to sepsis and even be life-threatening.
While the trend promises “detoxification,” your liver and kidneys are already well-designed to clear out toxins, so you don’t need to try something so risky yourself.
If you are struggling with digestion, home remedies that are safer include eating more fibre, drink water and move your body. And if digestion’s a struggle, chat with a healthcare professional, not an influencer on social media. Lets stick to our coffee in our mugs!
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