Nutrition & DietCoffee Reshapes Your Gut Microbiome to Influence Mood, Memory and Stress
A University College Cork study published in Nature Communications found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee alter the gut microbiome in ways that reduce stress, depression, and impulsivity. Researchers tracked 62 adults — half regular coffee drinkers, half non-drinkers — through a two-week coffee withdrawal period followed by a blind reintroduction of either caffeinated or decaf coffee. Both types lowered perceived stress and depression scores, suggesting caffeine alone isn't responsible. Decaf was linked to better learning and memory, while caffeinated coffee appeared to ease anxiety and sharpen attention. Changes in gut bacteria species and metabolites were also observed, pointing to the microbiota-gut-brain axis as a key pathway through which coffee exerts its brain effects.
