Researchers from APC Microbiome Ireland found that habitual coffee consumption alters the trillions of microbes living in the digestive tract, creating a chemical feedback loop that directly influences mood, stress levels and cognitive sharpness.<\/p>\n
The study followed 62 participants to determine how coffee interacts with the microbiome. The group included 31 coffee drinkers and 31 non-coffee drinkers who went through a series of psychological tests and kept detailed journals about their diet and coffee consumption<\/a>.<\/p>\n YOUR DAILY DIET SODA COULD BE AGING YOUR BRAIN FASTER THAN YOU THINK, STUDY FINDS<\/a><\/p>\n The researchers defined “coffee drinkers<\/a>” as those consuming three to five cups daily, a range the European Food Safety Authority deems safe and moderate.<\/p>\n After people stopped drinking coffee for two weeks and then started drinking it again, the bacteria in their digestive systems behaved differently than the non-drinkers, according to a press release.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s a complex dietary factor that interacts with our gut microbes, our metabolism and even our emotional well-being.” (iStock)<\/p>\n “Coffee is more than just caffeine,” study author John Cryan, principal investigator at APC Microbiome Ireland, said in a statement.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s a complex dietary factor that interacts with our gut microbes, our metabolism and even our emotional well-being<\/a>.”<\/p>\n COMMON SWEETENER MAY TRIGGER FAT BUILDUP IN WAYS EXPERTS DIDN\u2019T EXPECT<\/a><\/p>\n The coffee drinkers were found to have higher levels of specific beneficial bacteria<\/a>, such as Eggertella and Cryptobacterium curtum.<\/p>\n These microbes play a vital role in releasing gastric acids and creating bile, both of which help the body eliminate harmful bacteria and manage inflammation, the researchers noted.<\/p>\n The non-caffeine components of coffee, like polyphenols and antioxidants, may be doing the heavy lifting for mental health. (iStock)<\/p>\n Both caffeinated and decaf drinkers reported lower levels of perceived stress, depression<\/a> and impulsivity. This suggests that the non-caffeine components of coffee, like polyphenols and antioxidants, are doing the heavy lifting for mental health.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n However, the two types of brew offer different perks. Caffeinated coffee<\/a> was specifically linked to reduced anxiety and better focus, while decaf was shown to lead to significant improvements in learning and episodic memory.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n Researchers believe these cognitive gains in decaf drinkers may be tied to better sleep quality and increased physical activity<\/a>.<\/p>\n Caffeinated coffee was specifically linked to reduced anxiety and better focus, while decaf led to significant improvements in learning and episodic memory. (iStock)<\/p>\n The study\u2019s findings are limited by a small sample size, which may not accurately represent the diverse microbiome profiles found across different global populations.<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n Because the research relied heavily on self-reported data regarding participants’ coffee habits and mood levels, the results are subject to memory errors and subjective bias, the researchers noted.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n The study also did not strictly control for other dietary variables, such as sugar and dairy additives, which could independently influence gut health<\/a> and cloud the specific impact of the coffee bean itself.<\/p>\n The research was published in the journal Nature Communications.<\/p>\n![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/person-pouring-coffee.jpg\")
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