New Study Shows Key Differences in Coffee Drinkers' Gut Microbiome

When we think of foods that boost the gut microbiome, probiotic-rich sauerkraut, yogurt, and kimchi likely come to mind. But these aren't the only foods that support a healthy gut. Certain polyphenols—beneficial compounds found in plants—are known to nourish the gut microbiome. 

It just so happens that coffee—yes, this often beloved morning ritual—is a concentrated source of polyphenols. And researchers recently investigated how drinking coffee relates to the types and levels of certain bacteria1 found in our guts. 

Researchers state that this is the largest study to date investigating the link between coffee and the gut microbiome. 

First, they gathered detailed dietary information (and habitual coffee consumption) from nearly 23,000 participants—integrating that with publicly available data from 54,198 stool samples from various countries as well as hundreds of other stool and blood samples from other cohorts.

Meaning: These various data points let researchers identify if trends seen in one set of study participants extend to a wider population. 

Results show that coffee intake stimulated the growth of 115 types of bacteria (!!) in the gut—most notably, one by the name of Lachnospiraceae asaccharolyticus (L. asaccharolyticus). 

The abundance of this good gut bacteria was up to eight times greater in high coffee consumers compared to never consumers.

Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee showed similar effects, so researchers attributed this change to the coffee's polyphenol content. 

All coffee beans contain polyphenols. However, the volume and diversity of those polyphenols vary with roasting, storage, and brewing methods. 

If you want to get the most benefits from your brew, it makes sense to choose a coffee that is grown and processed to protect these all-important plant compounds like clean coffee+. 

mindbodygreen's clean coffee+ is sourced from organically grown beans in nutrient-dense soil and hand-picked at peak ripeness. 

The beans are then roasted and dried in a way that prevents mold and mycotoxins from forming but promotes an impressive array of native polyphenols with antioxidant benefits. We know this because we rigorously test the beans for heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticides, and solvents, as well as total polyphenols.† 

Drinking coffee comes with so many health benefits (beyond just perking you up). This study is the largest to date on the beverage's impact on gut health. Years of research also show that drinking three to five cups of joe a day is also beneficial for heart health and longevity.