Coffee lovers rejoice!

A new study published in the Journal of Nature Microbiology has found that coffee helps in supporting the gut microbiome.

The study looked at 23,115 participants from the United States and the United Kingdom. They had their gut flora analyzed via metagenomics, a technique that can glean insights into gut microbiome composition based on sequencing the genetic content of stool samples. Participants were then categorized into three levels of coffee consumption - those who had less than 20 g of coffee a day, those who had between 21 to 599 g of coffee per day and those who had 600 g or more of coffee per day. The median abundance of L. asaccharolyticus was shown to be significantly greater in the high coffee

consumption group, with values ranging from 4.5 to 8 times more than in the first group. Similarly, the moderate consumption group exhibited 3.4 to 6.4-fold greater levels than the first group. There was a smaller difference in the effect of coffee on the microbiome between people who drank a moderate amount and those who drank a high amount. This suggests that increasing coffee intake beyond moderate consumption might not have a strong impact on the microbiome.

Coffee stimulates digestion, promotes bowel movements, and fosters good gut bacteria while protecting against inflammation. However, excessive consumption can irritate the gut lining, so moderation is key.

Source:JournalofNatureMicrobiology,2024

Drinking tea reduces osteoporosis risk

Tea is a commonly preferred beverage across the world. It contains antioxidants that are beneficial for human health. Research studies have shown that tea consumption prevents the risk of heart disease, Parkinson's disease and some types of cancers. A recent meta-analysis (a meta-analysis is a systematic compilation of research studies on any particular topic) has revealed that consumption of tea increases bone density and reduces the risk of osteoporosis in older adults. The analysis was conducted on all the studies pertaining to tea consumption and bone mineral density, bone fractures, hip fractures and osteoporosis. The analysis published in the journal Medicine has found that the extract of tea contains green tea polyphenols (GTP) which prevent bone loss, promotes rebuilding of the bones and prevents breaking down of bone minerals.

Source: Medicine, 2024

Eat veggies, stay fit

Long-term consumption of whole fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of memorylossinadulthood,anewstudyfound.Thestudyanalysedthe20 years' diet assessment andfunctioning of the brain of a group of dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, pharmacists and veterinarians from another follow-up study. The responses from27,842Americanmenofaverage age 51 years were recorded by questionnaire method and the resultsare published in the journal

Neurology. The results have shown that 54 per cent men had good functioning of the brain and had high thinking skills and memory,

38 per cent men had moderate functioning of the brain and 7.3 per cent men had poor thinking skills and memory. The study has observed that people who ate more green leafy vegetables and berries such as strawberries and raspberries had high thinking capacity and did not suffer from memory loss due to ageing.

Packaged drinks can hamper the kidney

Consuming soda drinks and sweetened beverages may hamper kidney health and lead to kidney disease. These beverages consist of canned juices, energy drinks and sweetened, carbonated or flavoured water. A new research study published in the journal Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology has analysed 3003 African-American people for their consumption of beverages and kidney health. The participants' frequency of consumption of beverages was recorded using

a food frequency questionnaire. The results have shown that 185 participants have developed chronic kidney disease over the 8 years' follow- up period. The study has also found that the top 1/3rd participants of the group had 61 per cent increased risk of developing kidney disease. The study has concluded that packaged drinks consist of a high amount of sugar which impair the filtration capacity of the kidney and hamper kidney function in the long term.

Source: Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2024