What happens to the brain when drinking decaffeinated coffee

A study published in Nature Communications found that decaffeinated coffee improves memory through the effect of polyphenols on the gut microbiome via the gut-brain axis. In an experiment with 31 participants, decaf coffee improved performance on two memory tests and reduced perceived stress, depression, and impulsivity. Caffeinated coffee, in turn, was associated with reduced anxiety and increased attention.

A study published in Nature Communications has shown that decaffeinated coffee can improve memory. In an experiment involving 31 people who temporarily gave up coffee, consumption of the decaffeinated beverage led to improved performance on two memory tests. Scientists attribute this effect to polyphenols—plant compounds in coffee that affect gut microorganisms and, through the gut-brain axis, influence cognitive function. Participants who drank decaffeinated coffee also reported reduced perceived stress, depression, and impulsivity. Meanwhile, only caffeinated coffee was associated with reduced anxiety and psychological distress, as well as increased attention and alertness. John Cryan from University College Cork in Ireland, the lead author of the study, emphasized that coffee is more than just caffeine, and its components can affect health in different ways. Previously, Kursorn reported that the health effects of coffee may depend on the time of consumption.