Coffee and gut bacteria

Research has suggested that coffee may benefit the heart and overall health, in part due to its influence on the intestinal microbiota. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Trente and the ZOE consortium, published in Nature Microbiology in November 2024, found that coffee consumers have six to eight times more Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus, a type of intestinal bacterium.

Microbiome diversity

Coffee drinkers were found to have a more diverse intestinal microbiome compared to non-consumers, a diversity associated with better overall health. In laboratory settings, Lawsonibacter asaccharolyticus multiplies faster when coffee is added to its growth medium, indicating that coffee directly promotes the proliferation of this bacterium.

Global findings

The association between coffee consumption and the presence of this specific microbe was observed across different continents, from American to European populations, suggesting that the link is not limited to specific regional habits. The study notes that coffee is the food most closely linked to the presence of a specific microbe.

Cautious interpretation

However, the data describe a statistical association rather than a proven cause-and-effect relationship, and researchers caution against viewing coffee as a remedy. Coffee's impact on these microbes may be attributed to its fiber and polyphenol content. A cup of filtered coffee provides about 1.5 grams of soluble fiber, similar to that found in an orange, which serves as fuel for colon bacteria.