Regular Coffee Drinking Linked to Gut Motility and Microbiome Changes

OPA WIRE, Nov 14 (OPA) — A scientific study published in the journal Gut Microbiology shows that drinking coffee regularly impacts the functioning of the digestive system. Researchers found notable changes in bowel movements, colon contractions, and a greater diversity of gut bacteria among frequent coffee drinkers.

The research team tracked 61 healthy participants in Denmark using a small electronic capsule. The device measured transit time, temperature, acidity levels, and intestinal contractions as it travelled through the gastrointestinal tract.

Participants who drank between one and five cups of coffee daily on more than three of the eight study days showed lower acidity levels in the small intestine. They also exhibited a higher number of colon contractions, which help push intestinal contents through the digestive system and prevent constipation.

Francesca Bucci, lead researcher and PhD student at the University of Copenhagen, noted that regular coffee consumption affects intestinal physiology. While the study cannot yet prove direct causation, associate professor Henrik Munch Roager believes coffee plays a direct role. The team plans to conduct controlled trials to determine exact mechanisms.