Coffee does more than just wake you up; it may leave a significant mark on digestive health, even when consumed decaffeinated.
According to a report published by Fox News, researchers from APC Microbiome Ireland found that regular coffee consumption alters the trillions of microbes living in the digestive tract. This creates a chemical feedback loop that directly influences mood, stress levels, and cognitive sharpness.
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The study followed 62 participants to determine how coffee interacts with the microbiome. The group included 31 coffee drinkers and 31 non-drinkers, all of whom underwent a series of psychological tests and maintained detailed logs of their diet and coffee intake.
Researchers defined coffee drinkers as those consuming between 3 and 5 cups daily—a range considered safe and moderate by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
According to a press release, after participants stopped drinking coffee for two weeks and then resumed, the bacteria in their digestive systems behaved differently compared to those of non-coffee drinkers.
"Coffee is more than just caffeine," said John Cryan, lead researcher at APC Microbiome Ireland, in a statement. "It is a complex dietary component that interacts with our gut microbes, our metabolism, and even our emotional well-being."
The study revealed that coffee drinkers had higher levels of certain beneficial bacteria, such as Eggertella and Cryptobacterium curtum. Researchers noted that these microbes play a vital role in gastric acid secretion and bile formation, both of which help the body eliminate harmful bacteria and regulate inflammation.
Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee drinkers reported lower levels of perceived stress, depression, and impulsivity. This suggests that non-caffeine components of coffee, such as polyphenols and antioxidants, may play a larger role in supporting mental health.
However, each type of coffee offered distinct benefits; caffeinated coffee specifically was linked to reduced anxiety and improved focus, while decaffeinated coffee showed significant improvements in learning and episodic memory.
The study's findings are limited by its small sample size, which may not accurately reflect the diversity of microbiome patterns across different global populations.
The researchers also noted that the study relied heavily on self-reported data regarding coffee habits and mood levels, making the results susceptible to recall errors and subjective biases. Furthermore, the study did not strictly control for other dietary variables, such as the addition of sugar or dairy, which could also affect gut health and complicate the identification of the true impact of the coffee beans themselves.
