Does coffee affect cognitive function through the gut? Survey results from Ireland, research published in a Nature-affiliated journal: Innovative Tech

A Nature Communications study of 62 healthy Irish adults found regular coffee drinking was linked to distinct gut bacteria, lower inflammation, and differences in mood, attention, memory, sleep, and activity.

When participants stopped coffee, inflammatory markers rose; when they resumed, several measures improved again.

Both caffeinated and decaf coffee showed benefits in different areas, suggesting coffee compounds beyond caffeine may matter.

The findings point to coffee influencing brain-related outcomes through the gut-brain axis and immune system.