For one thing, a typical 8-ounce cup of coffee has 95 milligrams of brain-boosting caffeine , and when paired with some ground cinnamon , it can further enhance your alertness and cognitive functioning. Read on to learn how coffee affects your gut and how much coffee you need to reap its microbiome -fortifying benefits.
Quarta explains. Your gut is home to a diverse array of microbes , ranging from good to bad bacteria. Prebiotic fiber from plant foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, feeds the good bacteria in your gut, which allows them to proliferate. As good bacteria in the gut break down fiber through a process called fermentation , a collection of short-chain fatty acids forms to help keep your intestinal barrier healthy and strong against harmful disease-causing pathogens.
Quarta says. Moreover, coffee contains antioxidants called phenols. These antioxidants—coupled with the laxative effect of coffee—help with continued movement, helping the microbiome make more good bacteria, says Vanessa Rissetto, MS, RDN , a registered dietitian nutritionist and CEO and co-founder of Culina Health. Another digestive health benefit of consuming coffee is its fatty liver disease -preventing effects, Dr. That comes down to about two to three fluid-ounce cups of coffee.
However, how much you should drink depends on how you respond to caffeine as it affects everyone differently, Rissetto says. For instance, if you find that drinking more than one cup a day makes you jittery, then you may want to limit your intake.
Research even shows that moderate coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular-related death, hypertension , cholesterol , heart failure , and atrial fibrillation aka irregular heart rhythm. Another recent study found that drinking one to 2.
