India, Oct. 24 -- For many people, the day doesn't truly begin until that first cup of tea or coffee hits the system. It's comforting, energising, and for some, even the only way to "get things moving." But if you find yourself depending on your morning caffeine fix to stimulate bowel movements, your gut might be trying to tell you something.

Dr Susheel Sharma, Gastroenterologist, Therapeutic GI Endoscopist, and Liver Physician based in Dehradun, shares in his October 22 Instagram post why using caffeine as a laxative isn't healthy in the long run. (Also read: AIIMS-trained gastroenterologist shares 8 early signs of nutrient deficiency: 'If you constantly feel cold.' )

"The tea you drink stimulates your colon, and over time, you start d...