Beyond the aroma, there’s more. Coffee, in addition to being the inevitable companion of awakening, is also a ‘friend’ of the microbiota and therefore of our physical well-being. The immunologist Mauro Minelli, professor of dietetics and nutrition at the Lum University, is thinking about the link between the drink and our microbiota. “The bacteria in our intestine seem to appreciate the effects of the most consumed drink in the world, after water – explains the immunologist to Adnkronos Salute – The influences of coffee on the intestinal microbiota can have important implications for human health. This is because, according to some studies, coffee could play, presumably through a selection of ‘good’ bacteria, a protective role against some diseases such as type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease”.
“While it is true that the understanding of these effects has been favored by recent studies, published in highly qualified scientific journals, it is equally true that there is still much to explore in the submerged, complex and intriguing world of the microbiota that, discreetly, governs and conditions for better or for worse the phases of our life”, he adds.
Why does coffee have positive effects on the microbiota? “In addition to being a low-calorie drink, it contains, among other molecules, the famous caffeine, an alkaloid capable of promoting the release and therefore the bioavailability of important neurotransmitters such as adrenaline, in turn capable of making us feel more energetic after sipping a good coffee – he replies – Furthermore, it has been observed that caffeine is also capable of inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors (interleukins), thus reducing any inflammation in the colon mucosa. Other potential effects seem to concern the blocking of cell growth in tumors. But these latest results are still not very reliable since they are subject to high variability”.
“Among the other components of coffee there are polyphenols, among which caffeic acid deserves a special mention, which has shown neuroprotective effects and may play a role in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases”, continues immunologist Minelli.
“Of course, there is no shortage of negative effects of coffee, considering that this drink can cause addiction and aggravate any cardiovascular diseases already in place. A limit should be placed during pregnancy since any excess of coffee could lead to a delay in the intrauterine growth of the fetus. It is also important – he suggests – to know that coffee produces a greater secretion of gastric juices, so those who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux or gastritis should at least reduce their coffee intake”.
In conclusion, “some compounds present in coffee, such as chlorogenic acids and caffeine, appear to have an effect on the growth of specific intestinal bacteria. For example, coffee intake has been associated with an increase in the genus Akkermansia and a decrease in Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, Bacteroides and Clostridium. Polyphenols – he observes – have demonstrated the ability to modulate the intestinal microbiota by increasing the concentration of Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium associated with the production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids”.
