A recent global study found that coffee drinkers consistently show significantly higher levels of a particular gut bacterium than those who do not drink coffee.
Key Facts:
– Researchers from the University of Trento (Italy) and Harvard (U.S.) analyzed data from nearly 77,200 individuals in 25 countries.
– Coffee consumption was strongly linked to elevated levels of Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus, often five to eight times higher in drinkers.
– Data included diet and medical information from around 23,000 people in the U.S. and UK, plus publicly available information from almost 54,200 people globally.
– The study, published in *Nature Microbiology* in November, showed a 95 percent accuracy in identifying coffee drinkers based on gut bacteria.
– Nicola Segata, professor at CIBIO, indicated that further research is needed to determine whether L. asaccharolyticus is beneficial or harmful.
The Rest of The Story:
This research builds on a 2021 investigation that found coffee had the strongest association with gut microbiome composition among more than 150 studied foods.
In the latest project, scientists discovered a clear link between coffee intake and higher counts of L. asaccharolyticus, a bacterium also associated with greater levels of hippurate—a compound tied to metabolic processes and produced by microbes that break down plant compounds known as polyphenols.
Interestingly, these findings were consistent worldwide.
In regions with high coffee consumption, such as Luxembourg, Denmark, and Sweden, L. asaccharolyticus is common, whereas it is almost absent in countries like China, Argentina, and India.
As of now, its exact role in overall health remains unclear.
Research reveals coffee consumption promotes a specific gut bacteria that has cognitive benefits, strengthens the immune system, and reduces cancer risk and inflammation | Nutrition Insight
A study claiming to be the largest ever conducted on the human gut microbiome’s… pic.twitter.com/KKcn2EbbT2
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Commentary:
If this bacterium ultimately proves to offer health advantages, it could add yet another point in favor of coffee’s reputation as more than just a morning pick-me-up.
Many individuals already turn to coffee for its alertness-boosting qualities, and they might now feel further justified in their daily habit if ongoing studies uncover additional benefits tied to the microbiome.
Researchers plan to conduct more experiments to determine the bacterium’s impact on human health, which may provide coffee drinkers with fresh insights into how their daily cup contributes to overall wellness.
While too much caffeine can have downsides, this line of inquiry opens an intriguing possibility: coffee might support certain healthy functions in the body through its interactions with gut microbes.
The Bottom Line:
Coffee appears to leave a distinct microbial signature in the gut, especially through L. asaccharolyticus.
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Future research will clarify whether this bacterial boost translates to real health benefits.