New Study Links Coffee Intake to Microbiome Changes and Improved Mental Well-Being

New research led by University College Cork scientists suggests that both caffeinated and decaf coffee reshape the gut microbiome in ways tied to lower stress and improved psychological well-being, offering clues to the drink’s long-suspected health effects. Coffee is a plant-derived beverage produced from processed coffee beans, with its flavor and chemical profile shaped by factors such as bean variety, ripeness, processing techniques, roasting, and brewing methods. It contains a range of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids like caffeine, polyphenols such as phenolic acids, diterpenes, and melanoidins formed during roasting. Moderate coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of...