Tim Spector is a microbiome researcher and founder of Zoe. In an interview with The Telegraph, he explained that coffee offers numerous health benefits. He explains that the many studies conducted on this topic link coffee as a food for the gut microbiota. This is due to the presence of polyphenols and antioxidants in its composition, which, along with green tea and matcha tea, make up the healthiest beverages, according to Spector.
In addition to being beneficial for our gut health, it has also been shown that moderate coffee consumption helps with concentration, mood, and higher levels of energy in the short term. Its intake is also associated with a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, cardiovascular diseases, and even a lower incidence of breast or liver cancer.
The gut microbiota
It seems that lately, especially in consultations and on social media, this term is heard a lot. But what is the gut microbiota really? Also known as bacterial flora or intestinal flora, it refers to the set of microorganisms that live in the intestine and balance the health of our digestive system. They live in a symbiotic relationship that is both commensal and mutualistic. Do you remember seeing any ads for yogurts that promise to help with your intestinal flora? Well, those yogurts actually feed these microorganisms.
Coffee drinking and microbiota health
Tim Espector is a British epidemiologist and microbiome researcher, founder of Zoe. He was interviewed in The Telegraph magazine, where he explained the multiple benefits of moderate coffee consumption for the body. Although in the 1980s it was believed that coffee was related to the onset of cardiovascular diseases, the truth is that science has debunked this claim. In fact, it has shown that coffee consumers, whether traditional or decaffeinated, have a 15% lower risk of suffering from such diseases.
Why is coffee good for intestinal health?
The consumption of a cup of coffee provides us, according to Spector, with 1.5 grams of soluble fiber. This type of fiber is the food for the microbes that inhabit our intestines and on which intestinal health depends. According to Spector, “coffee drinkers have a more diverse intestinal microbiome than non-coffee drinkers,” which favors the abundance of bacteria like Lawsonibacter. Inflammation and oxidative stress are combated with the intake of antioxidants, and polyphenols are one of them, found in coffee.
For the epidemiologist, the addition of milk makes the mixture with a fermented product provide probiotics and more complex flavors. The list consisting of coffee, green tea, and matcha tea comprises, for Spector, the healthiest beverages.
Other benefits of coffee
In addition to being beneficial for the health of our microbiota, regulated coffee consumption is related to many other benefits. It has been shown to help achieve greater concentration, better mood, and a short-term increase in energy. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated a lower occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. As if those benefits weren’t enough, it has also been shown to reduce the risk of breast and liver cancer.
According to Spector, the optimal amount of coffee is 2 to 4 cups a day, always taking into account each individual’s personal needs. Remember that if your doctor has advised you not to consume coffee, you can obtain the benefits it provides through another food, always prioritizing the diagnosis of professionals.