Effect of coffee on motor and sensory function of proximal stomach

Some people attribute dyspeptic symptoms to drinking coffee, suggesting tha t coffee affects one or more functions of the proximal gastrointestinal tra ct. In a randomized controlled, cross-over, single-blinded study, the effec ts of coffee on gastric relaxation, gastric wall compliance and sensations, elicited by distension, were investigated in 10 healthy volunteers. Using the barostat technique, volume changes of an intragastric bag were recorded fur 20 min after intragastric administration of 280 mi of coffee or water. Then, after deflation, the volume of the bag was increased stepwise every 3 min to assess gastric wall compliance and wall tension. At the end of eve ry volume step, sensations (nausea, pain, and bloating) were scored. During the first 20 min after coffee administration, the volume change of the int ragastric bag was larger than after water (P < 0.05). There were Ilo differ ences in gastric wall compliance, wall tension, or symptom scores. In concl usions, coffee, in comparison with water, enhances the adaptive relaxation of the proximal stomach, but has no effect on its wall compliance, wall ten sion, or sensory function.