As if coffee drinkers needed another excuse to keep brewing their favorite cup, new research suggests that coffee is beneficial for gut health. 

Known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, coffee has long been touted for its many health benefits. In fact, thousands of compounds are packed into every cup, helping to improve mental alertness, reduce inflammation, support heart health, and even ease post-workout pain. A recent study published in Nature Microbiology reveals a new benefit of coffee: It supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. 

What did researchers discover?

In this study, researchers analyzed stool samples from 22,867 participants to understand the impact of coffee on gut bacteria. They categorized participants into three groups: the “never” group (those who drink fewer than three cups per month), “moderate” coffee drinkers (those who consumed at least three cups per month up to three cups a day), and “heavy” coffee drinkers (those who drink three or more cups per day). 

The researchers found that coffee drinkers had high levels of one specific bacteria strain, L. asaccharolyticus. The results suggest that drinking coffee can have a positive effect on your gut by helping the growth of good bacteria — an exciting win for coffee drinkers.

How important is it to have a healthy gut in the first place? 

“It turns out that the microbiome in the gut is probably way more important than we even ever expect