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Daily coffee may reduce stress and anxiety, gut microbiome study finds
Fox News • • health
Key Points:
- A University College Cork study found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee influence gut microbes and mood, with each type affecting cognition differently.
- The study involved 62 adults who stopped drinking coffee for two weeks, then resumed either caffeinated or decaf coffee for three weeks, showing reduced stress, depression, and impulsivity in both groups.
- Caffeinated coffee was linked to reduced anxiety and improved attention, while decaf coffee improved episodic memory, though the study did not prove causation between gut microbes and mood or cognitive changes.
- Experts caution that the small sample size and test conditions limit broad conclusions, noting that cognitive test improvements may not reflect real-world effects or long-term benefits.
- Researchers emphasize that changes in mood scores do not equate to clinical treatment for depression, and further study is needed to understand coffee’s impact on the gut-brain axis.
