Drinking wine, coffee and tea stimulate human intestinal flora

The consumption of certain beverages strengthens the community of beneficial intestinal bacteria
There is good news for all wine, coffee and tea drinkers. Researchers now found that these drinks make our microbiome healthier and more diverse. The microbiome forms the community of microorganisms that live on and in our body. Apparently, drinking coffee, wine and tea can have a positive impact on our health.

Many people like to drink tea, coffee or wine. Not only do these three drinks taste great, but scientists have also found in an investigation that their consumption improves our microbiome. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Science".

Scientists found that consuming tea, coffee and wine helps strengthen our microbiome. Thus, such drinks improve our health. (Image: arthurhidden / fotolia.com)

A greater diversity of the microbiome is better for our health
Most people drink tea or coffee in the morning to wake up. But these drinks not only wake you up, they have an entirely different positive side effect on our health. Such drinks enhance the health and diversity of our microbiome, report the interantional research team on its study results.

Researchers also found that consuming sugary drinks, sweets, whole milk and high carbohydrates causes our microbiome to lose its variety. The diversity is influenced by about 60 nutritional factors, explains main author Alexandra Zhernakova of the University of Groningen. There is a clear correlation between the diversity of the microbiome and health. Greater variety is better, adds the physician. The microscopic organisms help digest food and regulate our immune system.

126 factors affect the composition of our microbiome
In addition, other recent studies have shown that the microbial community may also play a role in mood disorders, obesity, and other diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, the researchers say. The current large-scale study has examined the microbial composition of the gastrointestinal tract of more than 1,100 people. The researchers found that 126 factors correlated with the change and composition of the individual microbial community. These include 60 nutritional factors, 12 illnesses, 19 drugs and four factors related to smoking, says co-author Jingyuan Fu of the University of Gronningen.

Study examined stool samples from 1,135 subjects
In their study, the researchers analyzed stool samples from 1,135 Dutch participants. All participants came from the northern parts of the Netherlands. The participants collected their stool samples at home and then frozen them in the freezer, say the doctors. Subsequently, the samples were transported to the laboratory of the researchers using dry ice.

In the laboratory, the samples were stored frozen until later processed by the researchers. This procedure had two advantages: none of the bacteria could continue to grow or change and all samples could be processed in the same way, explains Fu. The physicians also note that the consumption of fruits, vegetables, yogurt and buttermilk positively influences the microbial diversity in our intestines.

The microbiome is a kind of fingerprint that reflects our health
The authors also report that women tend to be more microbial diversity than men. Elderly people also have greater microbial diversity than younger people, explain the researchers. However, additional studies are needed to better understand the cause of the effects. The scientists hope to expand their study to 10,000 participants. They also want to collect samples from the nose and throat. It is becoming increasingly clear that our microbiome serves as a kind of fingerprint that reflects all sorts of signals of health, explains Fu. In the future, we may all be able to provide stool samples to our doctors to help us better understand our health, the doctors add. (As)