Coffee and Gut Health: What You Need to Know

Introduction

A new study has found that drinking coffee can support the gut microbiome. Regular coffee drinkers had higher levels of a specific microbe that may contribute to coffee's ability to support the heart, brain, and more. While your coffee habit may support your gut health, experts say the best way to maintain a healthy gut is eating a fiber-rich diet of various plant foods.

The Gut Microbiome and Health

The gut microbiome is the environment of microorganisms like bacteria inhabiting your intestinal tract. It plays a crucial role in overall health, including the development of chronic conditions. Evidence increasingly shows that the bacteria and other microbes in our gut strongly influence our health, including the immune system, metabolism, and mental health.

The Coffee-Gut Connection

The new study, conducted by the nutrition company ZOE and published in the journal Nature Microbiology, builds on previous research finding that coffee has the strongest food-microbiome association of more than 150 food and drinks. The researchers found that regular coffee drinkers had higher levels of a specific strain of bacteria—Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus—than people who don't usually drink the beverage.

The Role of Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus

While scientists know little about L. asaccharolyticus, it's possible that the microbe contributes to coffee's potential ability to benefit the heart, brain, and other aspects of health. The study also found that the levels of L. asaccharolyticus were higher in the "high" coffee intake group compared to the "never" group and in the "moderate" group versus the "never" group. The difference between the "high" and "moderate" groups was only 1.4-fold and not statistically significant in most cohorts.

How to Promote Gut Health

There are many lifestyle factors that impact gut health, including sleep, stress, environment, exercise, alcohol intake, and smoking. But diet remains the most impactful. Eating a diet filled with various plant foods is the best way to maintain a healthy gut. These foods offer prebiotic (or soluble) fiber that healthy gut bacteria consume. While most plant-based foods contain at least small amounts of fiber, rich sources include garlic, oats, bananas, onion, asparagus, artichoke, wheat, apples, flax, and legumes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the new study underscores that drinking coffee may alter the composition of your gut microbiome. While more research is needed to understand the role of L. asaccharolyticus and how coffee impacts gut health, the findings suggest that coffee may have a positive impact on gut health. However, it's important to note that the best way to maintain a healthy gut is by eating a fiber-rich diet of various plant foods. If you're interested in starting to drink coffee, it's important to ease into it and see how your body reacts. As always, it's important to talk to your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.