Coffee Consumption Linked to Improved Mood and Gut Health, Study Finds

Coffee not only protects the liver and refreshes the mind but also offers new benefits for health. Nephrologist Jiang Shoushan stated that foreign research shows that people who drink 3 to 5 cups of coffee daily, whether caffeinated or not, have an effect on mood improvement, including reduced stress, depression, and impulsivity. Additionally, frequent coffee drinkers have higher levels of certain bacteria in their bodies, which may help fight harmful bacteria and infections, and are also related to positive emotions in women.

Jiang Shoushan posted on his Facebook fan page that researchers at University College Cork in Ireland have made significant progress in understanding how coffee benefits the human body. Scientists have delved into how coffee interacts with the gut-brain axis (a communication network connecting the digestive system and the brain) for the first time. The research findings, published in Nature Communications and supported by the Coffee Science Information Institute (ISIC), indicate that regular consumption of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee can shape gut microbiota and affect mood and stress.

Safe Drinking Amount: 3-5 Cups Daily

Jiang Shoushan said that researchers compared 31 regular coffee drinkers with 31 non-coffee drinkers. Participants completed psychological assessments, recorded their dietary and caffeine intake, and provided stool and urine samples for scientists to analyze changes in gut microbiota and emotional states. "Coffee drinkers" in the study were defined as people who typically drink 3-5 cups of coffee daily, a consumption amount considered safe and moderate by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Caffeinated or Decaffeinated, Both Improve Mood

At the start of the experiment, coffee drinkers stopped drinking coffee for two weeks. During this period, researchers continued to collect biological samples and monitor participants' mental health status. After the withdrawal period ended, half of the participants drank decaffeinated coffee, and the other half drank regular coffee. Both groups reported mood improvements, including reductions in stress, depression, and impulsivity. These results suggest that coffee can improve mood even without caffeine.

Jiang Shoushan also stated that the study found that frequent coffee drinkers had higher levels of "Eggertella sp." and "Cryptobacterium curtum" in their bodies. These microorganisms are believed to play a role in processes such as acid production and bile acid synthesis in the digestive system, and may help fight harmful bacteria and infections. Researchers also observed an increase in "Firmicutes," a bacterial phylum previously thought to be associated with positive emotions in women.

However, the study found that caffeinated coffee showed a distinct advantage. Only participants who consumed caffeine experienced reduced anxiety, along with improved focus and alertness. Additionally, caffeine was associated with a reduced risk of inflammation.

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