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The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Kombucha can rebalance gut ecosystem in people with obesity: study
From Instagram reels to supermarket shelves, kombucha — the fizzy, fermented tea drink — has found a growing audience among health-conscious consumers in India. Promoted as a probiotic powerhouse, it's touted for its supposed benefits to digestion, immunity, and metabolism. According to one estimate provided by Indian company Sbooch, the kombucha market in India grew from $45 million in 2020 to $102 million in 2024. Yet much of the enthusiasm has outpaced science. While kombucha's traditional use and composition suggest potential health benefits, few rigorous studies have tested these claims in humans. Most research until now has focused on kombucha's biochemistry or has been limited to animal models. This is why a recent study in The Journal of Nutrition stands out: it takes a closer look at kombucha's effects on the human gut microbiome and how they matter for human health. The study followed 46 healthy adults in Brazil — 23 with obesity and 23 of normal weight — over eight weeks in a pre-post trial. The participants were classified using (World Health Organisation cut-offs of) BMI and waist circumference. Every day, each participant consumed 200 ml of kombucha that had been prepared in the lab using black tea and fermented with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). All participants were otherwise healthy and had no recent history of drugs, antibiotics or supplements. Stool samples were collected at the beginning and end to assess gut microbiome changes. The researchers used genomic tools to profile bacterial and fungal communities. They also measured fasting blood glucose, insulin, and proteins linked to gut barrier integrity since a weakened gut lining can allow harmful molecules to enter the bloodstream, trigger low-grade inflammation, and ultimately engender insulin resistance. What we know, what changed After eight weeks, the overall microbial diversity was largely unchanged but the abundance of certain bacteria had changed in ways that suggested kombucha may help positively rebalance the gut ecosystem. Notably, the population of Akkermansiaceae bacteria had increased in individuals with obesity. Previous research has linked this shift with better blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity. The levels of Prevotellaceae also increased, specifically in the obese group. Certain strains of Prevotella copri have similarly been linked to improved insulin sensitivity, hypertension, and inflammation. Both groups also reported higher abundance of Bacteroidota, which play significant roles in digesting complex carbohydrates. Bacteria associated with less favourable outcomes including Ruminococcus and Dorea declined, becoming similar to the normal-weight group by the eighth week. Ruminococcus gnavus has been positively associated with inflammatory bowel disease and liver fat accumulation, while Dorea with high BMI and cholesterol markers. In normal-weight participants, Parabacteroides increased modestly. Parabacteroides goldsteinii has been known to reduce tissue inflammation, ameliorating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Helicobacter pylori infections. The populations of Exophiala and Rhodotorula, two fungi associated with cystic fibrosis and obesity respectively, decreased as well. While the study offers promising clues about kombucha's influence, especially for individuals with obesity, the researchers urged caution. The microbial shifts were modest and didn't improve metabolic markers like blood glucose, insulin, or inflammatory proteins. The team also pointed out that microbial responses vary by diet, genetics, and overall health, thus reducing the generalisability of the findings. And with a short duration and a modest sample size, the findings remain a proof-of-concept. The results are still valuable in what they reveal, however: kombucha does appear to nudge the gut microbiome in directions associated with better metabolic health after two months. Kombucha and India Whether the effects will hold for Indian populations remains an open question. Studies have indicated gut microbiota in India are unique. Indian guts, particularly among those consuming traditional plant-based diets, harbour more Prevotella, an inversion of the typical Western microbial pattern. Since consuming kombucha increased Prevotellaceae abundance in the study, it may not drive the same degree of change in local populations. Even within India, while North Indians have more Prevotella, South Indians carry a higher load of Bacteroides and Ruminococcus. Women from rural high-altitude areas have greater gut diversity than their urban counterparts. Ethnic tribes from Ladakh, Jaisalmer, and Khargone can be differentiated based on their gut microbiomes alone. Taken together, the new study is proof that no single brand of kombucha can claim to be 'good' for all consumers across geographies. The drink may support gut health but whether that translates to long-term metabolic benefits remains to be seen. Anirban Mukhopadhyay is a geneticist by training and science communicator from Delhi.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
More than 46,000 people observed in a coffee study. Here's what happened to the ones who took theirs black
Those who drink one to two cups of black coffee a day are at a lower risk of death, a new study suggests. Black coffee and coffee with small amounts of added sugar and saturated fat were linked to a 14 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality (death from any cause) compared to no coffee consumption, according to the study from Tufts University's Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Researchers of the study, published online in May in The Journal of Nutrition, observed the drinking habits of more than 46,000 people who were 20 years old or older between 1999 and 2018. Data was used from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which collects health and dietary information from adults in the United States. While black coffee was linked to a lower risk of death from all causes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, per the study, coffee with high amounts of added sugar and saturated fat had no such benefits. The study's findings suggest that adding more than 5 per cent of the daily value of sugar, saturated fat, or both, to coffee diminishes the mortality benefits associated with coffee consumption. Per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, daily values are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume or not to exceed each day. Researchers considered a low amount of added sugar (from granulated sugar, honey, and syrup) to be around 2.5 grams per 8-ounce cup or approximately half a teaspoon of sugar. Those amounts are under 5 per cent of the daily value. They considered low saturated fat (from milk, cream, and half-and-half) to be around 1 gram per 8-ounce cup or the equivalent of five tablespoons of 2 per cent milk, 1 tablespoon of light cream, or 1 tablespoon of half-and-half. Those amounts are also under 5 per cent of the daily value. 'The health benefits of coffee might be attributable to its bioactive compounds, but our results suggest that the addition of sugar and saturated fat may reduce the mortality benefits,' the study's senior author Dr. Fang Fang Zhang said in a news release. Bioactive compounds are types of chemicals found in small amounts in plants and certain foods that promote good health, and are being studied in the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and other diseases, according to the National Cancer Institute. The amount of coffee consumed per day also played a part in how the drink could potentially be beneficial. Drinking at least one cup a day was linked to a 16 per cent lower risk of death, whereas two to three cups were associated with the 'greatest reduction,' at a 17 per cent lower risk of death. However, researchers observed that drinking more than three cups of coffee per day 'was not associated with additional reductions in all-cause mortality.' Many studies have aimed to show the overall health benefits of coffee consumption, including a 2017 study published in research journal The BMJ indicating that it seems 'generally safe within usual levels of intake.' More recently, a 2024 study by the Endocrine Society found that drinking three cups of coffee a day might help to reduce the risk of developing more than one cardiometabolic disease. However, coffee may not be beneficial for everyone. 'Individuals drinking more than five cups of coffee per day can have an increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or unstable angina (heart problem causing sudden chest pain),' according to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health also noted in a 2021 study that 'pregnant women who consumed the caffeine equivalent of as little as half a cup of coffee a day on average had slightly smaller babies than pregnant women who did not consume caffeinated beverages.' One of the limitations of the Tufts' study is that the information used was based on self-reported recall data, which is 'subject to measurement error due to day-to-day variations in food intake.' There was also a lack of significant associations between decaffeinated coffee and all-cause mortality, which could be due to the low consumption among the population studied, per the news release. Zhang, who is the Neely Family Professor at the Friedman School, said in an email to National Post on Tuesday that the driving force behind the research was to address concerns about how coffee additions such as sugars and creams 'may counterbalance coffee's health benefits.' 'Our findings confirm our hypothesis that adding high levels of added sugar and saturated fat make the benefits of coffee consumption lowering mortality risk go away,' she said. She added: 'The key take away is that we need to be mindful about the amount of sugars and saturated fat that we add to coffee when we drink it.' The study is one of the first to quantify the amount of added sugar and saturated fat in coffee. It concluded: 'Although our findings support the health benefits of coffee consumption, the potential negative effects of adding excessive amounts of sugar or saturated fat to coffee warrant public attention.' Protein coffee is gaining momentum, with Tim Hortons and Starbucks joining the fray What drinking 3 cups of coffee daily did to a study group of more than 170,000 people
UPI
19-06-2025
- Health
- UPI
Coffee may help you live longer, but skip the extra sugar
Drinking at least one cup of caffeinated coffee per day was linked to a 16% lower risk of premature death from any cause, researchers found. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio/ Pexels June 18 (UPI) -- Drinking a cup or two of coffee every day may help you live longer -- but only if you skip the heavy cream and sugar, new research suggests. The research, published in The Journal of Nutrition, found that black coffee or coffee with just a little sugar and saturated fat was tied to a lower risk of premature death. But when people drank coffee with lots of sweeteners or cream, the health benefits disappeared. "Coffee is among the most-consumed beverages in the world, and with nearly half of American adults reporting drinking at least one cup per day, it's important for us to know what it might mean for health," senior author Fang Fang Zhang of Tufts University said in a news release. Researchers looked at data from more than 46,000 U.S. adults who took part in national health surveys between 1999 and 2018. They analyzed what kind of coffee people drank -- caffeinated or decaf -- and how much sugar and saturated fat they added. They compared that data to deaths from any cause, as well as heart disease and cancer. The results? Drinking at least one cup of caffeinated coffee per day was linked to a 16% lower risk of premature death from any cause. Drinking two to three cups a day was linked to a 17% lower risk. No clear association was found between coffee and cancer deaths. Researchers said people who drank black coffee or added coffee with low amounts of added sugar and saturated fat seemed to benefit the most. In the study, low sugar was defined as about one-half teaspoon per 8-ounce cup. Low fat, meanwhile, was defined as about 1 gram per cup - equal to 5 tablespoons of 2% milk or 1 tablespoon of light cream. "Few studies have examined how coffee additives could impact the link between coffee consumption and mortality risk, and our study is among the first to quantify how much sweetener and saturated fat are being added," added lead author Bingjie Zhou, a recent doctoral graduate at Tufts. The study was based on self-reported food data, which may not be fully accurate. It also found fewer people drank decaf, which may explain why no strong link was found between decaf coffee and early death. Still, the findings support the idea that coffee can be part of a healthy diet -- just be mindful of how much sugar and cream you add! More information Johns Hopkins Medicine has more on why coffee is good for you. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Vancouver Sun
18-06-2025
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
More than 46,000 people observed in a coffee study. Here's what happened to the ones who took theirs black
Those who drink one to two cups of black coffee a day are at a lower risk of death, a new study suggests . Black coffee and coffee with small amounts of added sugar and saturated fat were linked to a 14 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality (death from any cause) compared to no coffee consumption, according to the study from Tufts University's Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Researchers of the study, published online in May in The Journal of Nutrition , observed the drinking habits of more than 46,000 people who were 20 years old or older between 1999 and 2018. Data was used from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which collects health and dietary information from adults in the United States. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. While black coffee was linked to a lower risk of death from all causes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, per the study, coffee with high amounts of added sugar and saturated fat had no such benefits. The study's findings suggest that adding more than 5 per cent of the daily value of sugar, saturated fat, or both, to coffee diminishes the mortality benefits associated with coffee consumption. Per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, daily values are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume or not to exceed each day. Researchers considered a low amount of added sugar (from granulated sugar, honey, and syrup) to be around 2.5 grams per 8-ounce cup or approximately half a teaspoon of sugar. Those amounts are under 5 per cent of the daily value. They considered low saturated fat (from milk, cream, and half-and-half) to be around 1 gram per 8-ounce cup or the equivalent of five tablespoons of 2 per cent milk, 1 tablespoon of light cream, or 1 tablespoon of half-and-half. Those amounts are also under 5 per cent of the daily value. 'The health benefits of coffee might be attributable to its bioactive compounds, but our results suggest that the addition of sugar and saturated fat may reduce the mortality benefits,' the study's senior author Dr. Fang Fang Zhang said in a news release . Bioactive compounds are types of chemicals found in small amounts in plants and certain foods that promote good health, and are being studied in the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and other diseases, according to the National Cancer Institute. The amount of coffee consumed per day also played a part in how the drink could potentially be beneficial. Drinking at least one cup a day was linked to a 16 per cent lower risk of death, whereas two to three cups were associated with the 'greatest reduction,' at a 17 per cent lower risk of death. However, researchers observed that drinking more than three cups of coffee per day 'was not associated with additional reductions in all-cause mortality.' Many studies have aimed to show the overall health benefits of coffee consumption, including a 2017 study published in research journal The BMJ indicating that it seems 'generally safe within usual levels of intake.' More recently, a 2024 study by the Endocrine Society found that drinking three cups of coffee a day might help to reduce the risk of developing more than one cardiometabolic disease. However, coffee may not be beneficial for everyone. 'Individuals drinking more than five cups of coffee per day can have an increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or unstable angina (heart problem causing sudden chest pain),' according to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine . Researchers at the National Institutes of Health also noted in a 2021 study that 'pregnant women who consumed the caffeine equivalent of as little as half a cup of coffee a day on average had slightly smaller babies than pregnant women who did not consume caffeinated beverages.' One of the limitations of the Tufts' study is that the information used was based on self-reported recall data, which is 'subject to measurement error due to day-to-day variations in food intake.' There was also a lack of significant associations between decaffeinated coffee and all-cause mortality, which could be due to the low consumption among the population studied, per the news release. Zhang, who is the Neely Family Professor at the Friedman School, said in an email to National Post on Tuesday that the driving force behind the research was to address concerns about how coffee additions such as sugars and creams 'may counterbalance coffee's health benefits.' 'Our findings confirm our hypothesis that adding high levels of added sugar and saturated fat make the benefits of coffee consumption lowering mortality risk go away,' she said. She added: 'The key take away is that we need to be mindful about the amount of sugars and saturated fat that we add to coffee when we drink it.' The study is one of the first to quantify the amount of added sugar and saturated fat in coffee. It concluded: 'Although our findings support the health benefits of coffee consumption, the potential negative effects of adding excessive amounts of sugar or saturated fat to coffee warrant public attention.'
India.com
18-06-2025
- Health
- India.com
Drink Black Coffee Daily? Science Says It May Help You Live Longer, But DONT Add This
If you're a fan of black coffee, here's some news that might make your next sip even more satisfying, your morning habit could actually help you live longer. According to a recent observational study published in The Journal of Nutrition, drinking black coffee in moderation is associated with a lower risk of death from all causes, especially heart-related issues. Coffee with a Catch: Not All Cups Are Created Equal Researchers at Tufts University found that the potential health benefits of coffee depend heavily on how it's prepared — particularly how much sugar and saturated fat is added. In short: plain black coffee? Good. Coffee loaded with sugar, cream, or flavored syrups? Not so much. The Sweet Truth: Less Sugar, More Life The study revealed that drinking 1–2 cups of caffeinated black coffee daily was linked to a 14% lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who didn't drink coffee at all. This benefit was strongest when the coffee was consumed with little to no sugar or saturated fat. Senior study author Dr Fang Fang Zhang emphasised that coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, and with nearly half of American adults drinking at least one cup per day, understanding its health effects is critical. According to Zhang, coffee contains powerful bioactive compounds, but those benefits can be reduced if the cup is filled with cream and sugar. While 2-3 cups of coffee a day were linked to a 17% reduced risk of death from any cause, the benefits plateaued after that. Drinking more than three cups didn't show additional advantages and even seemed to weaken the connection with reduced cardiovascular mortality. Coffee and Heart Health Interestingly, the most significant benefits of black coffee were seen in terms of cardiovascular health. Drinking black coffee regularly may help reduce the risk of dying from heart-related conditions, making it not just a wake-up ritual but potentially a heart-smart choice too. No Link to Cancer Mortality One surprising finding: there was no significant association between coffee consumption and a reduced risk of cancer-related deaths. This highlights that while coffee may support heart health and overall longevity, it isn't a magic shield against all diseases. What This Means for You If you're looking to make your morning cup healthier, consider these quick tips: 1. Stick to black or lightly sweetened coffee. 2. Avoid artificial creamers and sugar-loaded syrups. 3. Opt for plant-based milks if needed, with no added sugar. A moderate amount of black coffee (1–3 cups daily) could play a small but meaningful role in boosting your longevity, especially when enjoyed without sugar or heavy fats. So the next time you brew a plain cup of joe, remember: it's not just your morning pick-me-up, it might be your heart's best friend. (This article is meant for informational purposes only and must not be considered a substitute for advice provided by qualified medical professionals.)
