Many of us enjoy a morning coffee but did you know it can have a major impact on your health.
Researchers say coffee lowers blood pressure and to help reduce blood sugar levels which affects diabetes as well as it improves gut health.
A new study says coffee, a staple in many breakfast routines worldwide, affects not just our energy levels but also our digestion and metabolic balance. The research by Zoe has revealed that the brew has a significant impact on our gut microbiome – the community of microorganisms residing in our intestines that are vital for our health.
It found that the link between coffee and the gut microbiome was so strong that researchers could identify coffee drinkers simply by analysing their gut. Published in Nature Microbiology, the study confirmed that coffee not only benefits the body overall but also nourishes and stimulates specific types of gut bacteria, such as Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus.
The research, which involved over 22,000 participants, discovered that coffee drinkers had six to eight times more of this particular bacterium in their intestines compared to non-coffee drinkers. Researchers have highlighted that it’s not just the buzz from caffeine that makes coffee beneficial for the microbiome, but also its polyphenols—antioxidants shown to help reduce blood sugar levels which affects diabetes and blood pressure, as well as nurture gut bacteria.
Even other compounds in coffee like chlorogenic acid, quinine, and quinic acid derivatives are transformed by the microbiome into secondary compounds that could be good for our health. This is true for both regular coffee and decaf, suggesting even those sensitive to caffeine can enjoy the benefits without the jitters.
The gut microbiome, with its complex ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, is central to digestion, absorbing nutrients, supporting immune function, and could even affect mental health. Everyone’s microbiome is unique, crafted by genetics, environment, and diet.
Coffee, which bolsters a diverse microbiota, might not only help maintain gut health but also strengthen your immune system and enhance mood. The full implications of Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus are yet to be uncovered, but scientists believe this discovery is just the “tip of the iceberg” in understanding its impact on human health.
Courtsey:- Samantha Leathers and Maria Ortega, The Mirror
