Scientists made coffee drinkers quit for 2 weeks - what they found surprised everyone

Key Points:

• A study published in Nature Communications by University College Cork and APC Microbiome Ireland found that both caffeinated and decaf coffee reshape gut bacteria and influence mood, stress, memory, learning, and sleep quality through the gut-brain axis.
• Caffeinated coffee was associated with reduced anxiety, improved alertness, and better stress coping, while decaf coffee correlated with enhanced memory, learning performance, sleep quality, and increased physical activity.
• Coffee consumption altered gut bacteria profiles, increasing levels of certain bacteria linked to digestive processes, and affected metabolites related to nervous system function and inflammation markers, suggesting coffee’s potential anti-inflammatory effects.
• The study highlighted that coffee’s brain and gut effects are not solely due to caffeine but also to other compounds like polyphenols, with implications for personalized dietary recommendations based on gut microbiome composition.
• Experts caution that individuals with digestive issues, migraines, or cardiovascular concerns should monitor their coffee intake carefully, as coffee can affect gut motility, trigger withdrawal symptoms, or influence heart rate and blood pressure.