Coffee may reshape your gut bacteria and affect mood, stress and brain health
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- Researchers from APC Microbiome Ireland found that habitual coffee consumption, including decaf, alters gut microbes, creating a feedback loop that influences mood, stress, and cognitive function.
- The study involved 62 participants, comparing coffee drinkers (3-5 cups daily) with non-drinkers, and observed changes in gut bacteria after coffee cessation and resumption.
- Coffee drinkers had higher levels of beneficial bacteria aiding digestion and inflammation management, while both caffeinated and decaf coffee were linked to reduced stress, depression, and impulsivity.
- Caffeinated coffee was associated with reduced anxiety and improved focus, whereas decaf was linked to better learning, episodic memory, sleep quality, and physical activity.
- Limitations include a small sample size, reliance on self-reported data, and lack of control for other dietary factors, which may affect the generalizability and specificity of the findings.
