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Coffee's Mood Boost: Beyond Caffeine?
31 Oct
Summary
- Both caffeinated and decaf coffee linked to mood improvements.
- Study observed changes in gut microbes and cognition.
- Participants reported lower stress and depression levels.
A study conducted at University College Cork in Ireland has revealed that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee may positively influence mood and gut health. The research involved 62 healthy adults, comparing regular coffee drinkers with non-drinkers.
After a two-week coffee break, participants resumed drinking either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee for three weeks. Both groups reported significant reductions in stress, depression, and impulsivity compared to baseline measurements. These self-reported improvements suggest a broad impact of coffee consumption on emotional well-being.
Further analysis showed distinct cognitive effects. The caffeinated coffee group exhibited enhanced attention, while those consuming decaf coffee demonstrated improvements in episodic memory. Researchers also observed changes in gut bacteria, indicating a potential interaction between coffee components, gut microbes, and the gut-brain axis, although direct causation could not be established.
