Cessation of consumption coffee even for just two weeks appears to be linked to reduced impulsivity and stress, while the decaf option may help improve sleep and memory.
The above states a study published in Nature Communications. The research was carried out by scientists at University College Cork, Ireland, who followed 62 healthy adults. Of these, 31 were regular coffee consumers and the remaining 31 did not drink coffee.
At the start of the study, all participants provided blood, urine and stool samples, completed questionnaires about their mood and behavior, and underwent tests of memory and cognitive functions. Then regular coffee drinkers stopped completely for two weeks. After this time the participants were randomly divided into two groups for another 21 days: one consumed caffeinated coffee and the other decaffeinated.
The findings on the effects of coffee
The researchers compared how the participants changed during the stop and restart phases. They found that those who regularly drank coffee showed greater impulsivity and a stronger emotional response compared to those who did not consume coffee. However, after they stopped drinking coffee for two weeks, these indicators decreased significantly. When coffee was reintroduced into their diet, the results differed depending on the type of coffee.
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Participants who consumed caffeinated coffee reported lower levels stress and psychological distress. In contrast, those who drank decaf saw improvements in sleep quality, physical activity and memory. The researchers said the findings suggest coffee may affect the body in ways that go far beyond the dose of caffeine many consumers rely on each morning.
The study also documented differences in the gut microbiome between coffee drinkers and non-coffee drinkers. Some bacterial patterns seen in coffee drinkers began to return to levels seen in non-drinkers after the two-week withdrawal period, while new changes appeared with both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. Scientists estimate that part of the effects may be due to plant compounds in coffee and not just caffeine.
At the same time, signs of anti-inflammatory action were detected. At the start of the trial, regular coffee drinkers had lower levels of C-reactive protein, as well as higher levels of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory molecule. When coffee consumption was stopped, some markers of inflammation increased. After its reintroduction, both the caffeinated and non-caffeinated groups showed a reduced inflammatory response in laboratory tests.
The researchers clarified that the study does not directly prove that coffee causes better, improved health memory or changes in personality, emphasizing that larger and more extensive investigations are needed for safe conclusions.
