Coffee reshapes gut microbes to subtly influence mood and memory

Regular coffee consumption modulates the gut microbiome, influencing mood, stress, sleep, and cognition. In a 62-person study, both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee yielded benefits: caffeine reduced anxiety and inflammation, while decaf improved sleep and memory, with polyphenols playing a major role. The microbiome responded quickly to changes in coffee intake, underscoring a dynamic gut-brain axis and substantial individual variability in responses.