Science Has Discovered More Ways Coffee Is Good For You

You are a fan of coffee but not sure if it’s right for you? You probably know about it well known stimulant effect but not aware of other effects on your health. A recent study examines its frequency drinking coffee it affects the gut-brain pathway, the communication system that connects digestion and brain function. The results show a complex interaction that goes beyond caffeine.

“Public interest in gut health has skyrocketed,” said John Cryan, co-author of the study. this week in Nature Communications. “The relationship between digestion and mental health is also becoming better understood, but the mechanisms by which coffee affects the brain and gut are still unknown.”

Scientists at APC Microbiome Ireland, a research center at Cork University, compared 31 healthy adults who drank coffee regularly with 31 who did not drink coffee. According to the European Food Safety Authority, a “regular” coffee drinker is someone who drinks three to five cups a day, which is safe and healthy for most people.

The researchers also analyzed what happened when consumers stopped their intake for two weeks and then resumed, either with caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. This invention made it possible to distinguish the effects of caffeine and other chemicals found in coffee.

“Coffee is more than caffeine,” said Cryan in Press release“It’s a complex food that has to do with our gut bacteria, our metabolism, and even our mental health.

The Amazing Effects of Coffee

One of the most important findings was that drinking coffee changes the composition of the gut microbiome. Those who drink regularly, changes were noted in the number of other bacteria, such as Eggerthella colors are Cryptobacterium curtumwhich means that coffee loves pathogens. The former are believed to help produce acid in the stomach and intestines, while the latter are involved in bile acid synthesis. APC Microbiome Ireland explains that all these bacteria help eliminate harmful bacteria in the gut, preventing disease.

Behaviorally, the study found that regular coffee drinkers showed lower levels of restlessness and emotional reactivity compared to non-drinkers. However, when coffee consumption was stopped for two weeks, these behaviors decreased, along with other symptoms associated with regular consumption such as fatigue or headaches during the first days of abstinence.

The recycling of coffee produced different results depending on the type. Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee reduced depression and other symptoms of depression. However, caffeinated coffee was associated with improvements in anxiety and other aspects of attention, while decaffeinated coffee showed improvements in memory, sleep quality, and physical activity. This shows that many of the effects of coffee do not depend only on caffeine but on other bioactive substances, such as polyphenols.

Another important aspect was the immune response. Coffee consumers showed a decrease in inflammatory markers and an increase in anti-inflammatory molecules. During abstinence, some signs of inflammation increased, suggesting that coffee may have a protective effect in this area.

There were no significant differences between users and non-users in terms of stress levels, as measured by the hormone cortisol. This suggests that, at least under normal conditions, coffee does not significantly alter the body’s response to stress, although it may affect feelings of self-compassion, as discussed above.

The most interesting thing about this study was that some of the effects of coffee on the microbiome and metabolism occur without caffeine. Even decaffeinated coffee was able to induce rapid changes in microbial composition after reintroduction. This reinforces the idea that coffee is a complex mixture of chemicals with many biological effects.

“Our findings show how the microbiome and nervous system respond to coffee, and the potential long-term health benefits,” concluded Cryan, who is a senior researcher at APC Microbiome Ireland. “Coffee can change the activity of microorganisms and the metabolites they use.” As people continue to think about dietary changes to improve digestion, coffee can also be used as a supplement within a healthy and nutritious diet.”

This article appeared first WIRED in Spanish and translated from Spanish.