Giving up coffee for just two weeks can significantly affect behavior, stress and sleep quality, according to a new scientific study.
Researchers followed 62 healthy adults – half regular coffee drinkers and half non-drinkers – to analyze its effects on the body and brain. At first, participants underwent biological analyses and tests for mood, memory and cognitive functions.
People who drank coffee were completely cut out for two weeks. During this period, they were observed to exhibit less impulsivity and lower emotional reactions.
Then, coffee was reinstated for 21 days, with one group consuming caffeinated coffee and the other consuming decaffeinated coffee. The results varied depending on the type consumed:
Caffeinated coffee was linked to reduced anxiety and psychological stress.
Decaffeinated coffee improved sleep, physical activity and scores on memory tests
The study, published in Nature Communications and led by University College Cork, also showed that regular coffee drinkers had a different gut microbiome compared to non-coffee drinkers.
The gut microbiome — which includes billions of bacteria — plays an important role in digestion, immunity, metabolism, and even brain health. During coffee abstinence, some of these changes began to return to more normal levels.
When coffee was reintroduced, both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees again affected gut bacteria, suggesting that its effects are not only related to caffeine, but also to other components such as phenolic acids – antioxidants also found in fruits and vegetables.
The researchers also found that coffee drinkers had lower levels of inflammatory markers at the start of the study. During the break, some of these markers increased, but after coffee consumption was resumed, inflammation decreased again.
However, experts emphasize that the study is limited and does not directly prove that coffee improves health or memory. The findings need to be confirmed by larger, more comprehensive studies.
Meanwhile, previous research suggests that moderate coffee consumption may be linked to a lower risk of some diseases, but at the same time may worsen anxiety and sleep in susceptible people.
Experts advise a balanced approach, taking into account the body's individual reaction to coffee. /GazetaExpress/
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