New research suggests that heavy coffee drinkers have healthier compositions of bacteria in their guts.

Share on Pinterest New research sheds light on the effect of coffee on the gut microbiota.

More and more research is unpacking the health benefits of drinking coffee. Drinking just one cup may fight off unhealthy fat, ease inflammation associated with obesity, or even protect the brain into old age.

Furthermore, drinking at least three cups of coffee every day may keep arteries healthy and supple by preventing a calcium buildup and staving off the risk of clogging.

Coffee could also help fight off diabetes by improving blood sugar control and can keep the liver healthy and “happy.”

But how exactly coffee yields all of these wonderful health benefits has remained somewhat of a mystery.

New research shines some light on the mechanisms behind coffee’s effects by looking at the links between coffee and the health of the gut microbiota.

Dr. Li Jiao is the senior and corresponding author of the study. Dr. Jiao is an associate professor of medicine–gastroenterology at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, and a researcher at the Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.

Dr. Shawn Gurwara, also from Baylor College, who is the first author of the paper, presented the findings at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2019 Annual Scientific Meeting, which took place in San Antonio, TX.