Do you drink between three and five cups of coffee a day?

Two University College Cork researchers are seeking local caffeine fiends to take part in a study investigating how coffee consumption affects the brain and gut microbiota of healthy adults.

Dr Serena Boscaini and Nurse Caroline O’Leary OF APC Microbiome Ireland, a world-leading SFI Research Centre headquartered in UCC, are recruiting coffee drinkers aged between 30 and 50 years old to volunteer.

This study involves four in-person visits to University College Cork over approximately six weeks and expenses will be covered. If you can’t stand the stuff you can also take part; APC researchers are also seeking non-coffee drinkers both in Cork and in the rest of Ireland. For non-coffee drinkers, the study involves two visits to University College Cork, for those living outside Cork the first visit can be done online.

“It is known that coffee consumption has a positive effect on human health. In particular, moderate consumption of coffee is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, liver diseases, Type II diabetes, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease,” explained Dr Boscaini.

The study aims to delve into the effect of coffee consumption on the gut microbiota, stress, and cognition, something that remains largely unexplored.

“People are incredibly passionate about coffee and we believe that this is a wonderful opportunity for coffee lovers, and haters, to play an important part in research that will tell us more about how coffee benefits our microbes and our brain,” added Caroline O’Leary. 

To find out more or to volunteer to take part, email Caroline O’Leary at carolineoleary@ucc.ie or Dr. Serena Boscaini at serena.boscaini@ucc.ie or visit apc.ucc.ie/coffee.