Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

Think Caffeine Is Behind Coffee’s Brain Benefits? Study Finds Decaf Boosts Memory

There is a reason why when we think about <span>coffee</span>, we only see ‘<span>caffeine</span>’ in big, bold letters. It helps up wake up, stay energetic, alert, sharpens our attention and helps us fight the midday grogginess at work. So, little attention has been paid to other components of coffee. 

But new research suggests some of coffee’s effects on the brain may have little to do with caffeine. 

A study published in <em><span rel="noindex">Nature Communications</span> </em>found that both caffeinated and <span>decaffeinated coffee</span> were linked to changes in the gut microbiome, mood and stress. But improvements in learning and memory were seen specifically among people who drank decaffeinated coffee. 

The findings suggest that coffee’s effects on the brain could involve its many other compounds and the gut-brain connection, rather than <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/morning-coffee-a-daily-ritual-that-may-not-always-agree-with-your-gut-article-156139684" data-type="tilCustomLink">caffeine</a> alone.

Researchers from APC Microbiome Ireland at <span>University College Cork</span> studied 62 people. Thirty-one were regular coffee drinkers, while 31 did not normally drink coffee. 

The regular coffee drinkers first stopped consuming coffee for two weeks. Researchers then collected stool and urine samples and monitored their mood, stress, cognition and other measures. 

Coffee was subsequently reintroduced, with participants receiving either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee for three weeks. The researchers found that both forms of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/hot-tea-coffee-may-triple-esophageal-cancer-risk-study-article-156125390" data-type="tilCustomLink">coffee</a> were associated with changes in <span>gut bacteria</span> and metabolites. But when it came to cognitive effects, there was a striking finding.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/andrew-hubermans-sleep-trick-can-eye-movements-help-you-fall-back-asleep-article-156241864" data-type="tilCustomLink">Andrew Huberman’s Sleep Trick: Can Eye Movements Help You Fall Back Asleep?</a>

<h2>Decaffeinated Coffee Improved Memory </h2>

Participants who drank decaffeinated coffee showed significant improvements in learning and memory. For example, they made fewer errors on a test examining learning and memory. They also showed improvements in episodic memory, which involves remembering information and experiences. 

The <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/that-3-pm-energy-crash-may-be-more-than-work-stress-are-you-missing-key-nutrients-article-156118975" data-type="tilCustomLink">caffeinated group</a> did not show the same results. This helped researchers find out that the non-caffeine components of coffee may have some positive cognitive effects. 

But the researchers also acknowledge that some of the improvement could have happened due to participants becoming more familiar with the tests over time.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/gut-microbiome-linked-to-3x-higher-type-1-diabetes-risk-in-children-article-156198602" data-type="tilCustomLink">Gut Microbiome Linked To 3x Higher Type 1 Diabetes Risk In Children</a>

Coffee contains thousands of chemical compounds, including <span>polyphenols</span>. These compounds can interact with gut microbes and influence the production of metabolites, which can then affect the body and brain. This is where the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/gut-microbiome-may-reveal-diabetes-risk-before-blood-sugar-changes-study-article-156241449" data-type="tilCustomLink">gut-brain axis</a> comes into the picture. 

The gut and brain are in constant communication through several processes involving the nervous system, immune system, hormones and chemicals produced by gut bacteria. 

The study found that coffee consumption altered the composition and activity of gut microbes and changed certain metabolites. Some bacteria, including Eggerthella species and Cryptobacterium curtum, were more found in more quantity among coffee drinkers. 

Researchers believe these microbial changes could help explain some of coffee’s effects on mood and cognition. 

<h2>Effects Of <span rel="noindex">Caffeinated Coffee</span> </h2>

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Participants drinking caffeinated coffee experienced reduced anxiety and other psychological effects, while some measures of attention and cognitive performance also improved. 

Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee showed lower signs of stress, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/cdc-youth-report-us-teen-mental-health-suicide-risk-improve-sleep-low-exercise-remain-concerns-article-156203844" data-type="tilCustomLink">depression</a> and impulsivity. 

So the study does not suggest that decaf is universally better for the brain. Instead, it shows that different components of coffee may produce different effects. 

It also adds another layer to the increasingly complicated story of coffee and health. Coffee may be more than a delivery system for caffeine. Its polyphenols and other compounds may interact with gut bacteria, influencing metabolism, inflammation, mood and brain function.

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There is a reason why when we think about coffee, we only see ‘caffeine’ in big, bold letters. It helps up wake up, stay energetic, alert, sharpens our attention and helps us fight the midday grogginess at work. So, little attention has been paid to other components of coffee. But new research suggests some of coffee’s effects on the brain may have little to do with caffeine. A study published in Nature Communications found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee were linked to changes in the gut microbiome, mood and stress. But improvements in learning and memory were seen specifically among people who drank decaffeinated coffee. The findings suggest that coffee’s effects on the brain could involve its many other compounds and the gut-brain connection, rather than caffeine alone.How Was The Study ConductedResearchers from APC Microbiome Ireland at University College Cork studied 62 people. Thirty-one were regular coffee drinkers, while 31 did not normally drink coffee. The regular coffee drinkers first stopped consuming coffee for two weeks. Researchers then collected stool and urine samples and monitored their mood, stress, cognition and other measures. Coffee was subsequently reintroduced, with participants receiving either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee for three weeks. The researchers found that both forms of coffee were associated with changes in gut bacteria and metabolites. But when it came to cognitive effects, there was a striking finding.Also read: Andrew Huberman’s Sleep Trick: Can Eye Movements Help You Fall Back Asleep?Decaffeinated Coffee Improved Memory Participants who drank decaffeinated coffee showed significant improvements in learning and memory. For example, they made fewer errors on a test examining learning and memory. They also showed improvements in episodic memory, which involves remembering information and experiences. The caffeinated group did not show the same results. This helped researchers find out that the non-caffeine components of coffee may have some positive cognitive effects. But the researchers also acknowledge that some of the improvement could have happened due to participants becoming more familiar with the tests over time.Also read: Gut Microbiome Linked To 3x Higher Type 1 Diabetes Risk In ChildrenDecaf Coffee's Effect On BrainCoffee contains thousands of chemical compounds, including polyphenols. These compounds can interact with gut microbes and influence the production of metabolites, which can then affect the body and brain. This is where the gut-brain axis comes into the picture. The gut and brain are in constant communication through several processes involving the nervous system, immune system, hormones and chemicals produced by gut bacteria. The study found that coffee consumption altered the composition and activity of gut microbes and changed certain metabolites. Some bacteria, including Eggerthella species and Cryptobacterium curtum, were more found in more quantity among coffee drinkers. Researchers believe these microbial changes could help explain some of coffee’s effects on mood and cognition. Effects Of Caffeinated Coffee                                  Participants drinking caffeinated coffee experienced reduced anxiety and other psychological effects, while some measures of attention and cognitive performance also improved. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee showed lower signs of stress, depression and impulsivity. So the study does not suggest that decaf is universally better for the brain. Instead, it shows that different components of coffee may produce different effects. It also adds another layer to the increasingly complicated story of coffee and health. Coffee may be more than a delivery system for caffeine. Its polyphenols and other compounds may interact with gut bacteria, influencing metabolism, inflammation, mood and brain function.

think caffeine is behind coffee’s brain benefits? study finds decaf boosts memory

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