As if coffee drinkers need another excuse to continue brewing their favorite cup, new research suggests that coffee is beneficial for intestinal health.
Known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, coffee has long been praised for its many health benefits. In fact, thousands of compounds are packed in each cup, helping to improve mental vigilance, reduce inflammation, support heart health and even facilitate pain after training. A recent study published in Nature microbiology reveals a new advantage of coffee: it supports the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria.
What have the researchers discovered?
In this study, the researchers analyzed the samples of stools of 22,867 participants to understand the impact of coffee on intestinal bacteria. They classified the participants in three groups: the “never” group (those who drink less than three cups per month), the “moderate” coffee drinkers (those who consumed at least three cups per month up to three cups per day) and the “heavy” coffee drinkers (those who drink three or more cups per day).
The researchers discovered that coffee drinkers had high levels of a specific strain of bacteria, L. asaccharolyticus. The results suggest that drinking coffee can have a positive effect on your intestine by helping the growth of good bacteria – an exciting victory for coffee drinkers.
To what extent is it important to have a healthy intestine in the first place?
“It turns out that the microbiome in the intestine is probably much more important than what we expected,” said Michael Caplan, MDClinic professor at the University of Chicago and scientific director at Endeavour Health. He explains that beneficial bacteria in our intestine are essential to our overall health, and having a diversified microbiome is crucial. A healthy intestine can help prevent travelers’ diarrhea, diarrhea induced by antibiotics and can even play a role in managing obesity, heart disease and chemotherapy, according to Caplan.
Our intestine also houses the majority of our immune cells, which makes it vital to protect and maintain its strength. A healthy intestine also supports digestion, reduces inflammation and influences our thoughts. Have you ever felt nervous and have you noticed that your intestine was starting to feel uncomfortable? Our intestine and our brain are closely linked.
How does coffee stimulate beneficial bacteria exactly?
Dr. Chaplan underlines that it is not only caffeine that stimulates beneficial bacteria, because even the consumption of decafferated coffee has a positive effect on our intestine. The main contributors are probably polyphenols, including chlorogenic acid and quinic acid, found in coffee, which contributes to stimulating the growth of these beneficial bacteria. Science suggests that polyphenols act as prebiotics. They feed and encourage the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria.
Are there limits to the results of the study?
As with any new discovery, additional research is necessary, especially with regard to the potential of L. Saccharolytic. Dr. Chaplan explains that this strain of bacteria has not been identified until the last five years, so we do not fully understand how it contributes to health benefits. Could this help reduce mortality or improve the results of heart disease or cancer? Additional research is necessary to understand how these bacteria could help reduce diseases and improve health.
How much coffee is it needing to drink to get these advantages?
“It is very certain to have one or two cups of coffee a day, and that would be enough to stimulate your intestinal flora to be ready to help you improve your long -term health,” said Dr. Caplan. It aligns with FDA recommendationswhich maintains the consumption of caffeine at no more than 400 milligrams per day or approximately four cups of infused coffee.
And good news for those who like a little milk or sprinkle with sugar in their coffee, the study has shown that these additions do not affect intestinal health benefits.
The bottom line
This new research is an exciting news for coffee drinkers, because coffee has not yet been linked to better intestinal health. But do not forget other foods and drinks that can also support a healthy intestine, such as yogurt, kefir, fermented foods such as kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut and kombucha.