Decaf or Caffeinated, Coffee May Boost Mood and Brain Power

A study from University College Cork found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee can improve mood and cognitive performance and alter the gut microbiome. Caffeine was linked to reduced anxiety and better attention, while decaf boosted sleep, physical activity, and memory; both forms triggered gut microbiome shifts, indicating coffee's effects extend beyond caffeine via the gut-brain axis. The findings rely on self-reported mood and were published in Nature Communications.