Coffee And Probiotics: Is Coffee A Probiotic?

Coffee is a brewed beverage made from roasted coffee beans, known for its stimulating effects due to its caffeine content and enjoyed for its rich flavor and aroma. 74% of Americans drink coffee every day according to DriveResearch.

Probiotic bacteria are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, confer health benefits by positively influencing the gut and overall well-being. Coffee is not a probiotic as it contains no beneficial bacteria.

Is Coffee A Probiotic?

No, natural coffee with out any artificial intervention is not considered a probiotic as it doesn't contain any live microorganisms. Coffee has a minimal nutrient profile, primarily providing caffeine and trace amounts of certain antioxidants and minerals according to Harvard.

Tipton Mills claimed to have launched the world's first probiotic coffee, utilizing the unique spore-forming probiotic BC30™ (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) in 2020. Tipton Mills coffee is a probiotic because they artificially added in the Bacillus coagulan's probiotic strain.

A group of researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) developed fermented probiotic tea and coffee containing strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus plantarum in 2021. The NUS team filed a patent for the probiotic coffee recipe and is conducting metabolomic studies to identify beneficial compounds.

Can You Take Probiotics With Coffee?

It is not currently known if you can take probiotics with coffee because of a lack of research. Hot coffee can potentially kill many probiotics. You can consume probiotics with water before coffee, to avoid the hot water killing the probiotics.

Waiting about 30 minutes after taking a probiotic before drinking coffee can also help. Until more research is conducted, caution when combining probiotics with hot coffee is advised due to concerns about temperature and acidity affecting probiotic viability.

Can Coffee On An Empty Stomach Cause Gastritis?

Yes, Drinking coffee on an empty stomach, especially in the morning, can lead to higher acidity levels in the stomach resulting in irritation of the stomach lining (gastritis).

Gastritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining, often leading to symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, and discomfort. Gastritis drink triggers are beverages, such as alcohol, coffee, and acidic juices, that can exacerbate inflammation of the stomach lining and worsen symptoms of gastritis.

Is Coffee Good For Your Gut?

Yes, coffee is good for your gut health due it's anti-inflammatory and gut bacteria modulating effects according to research. 

Is Coffee Bad For Your Gut Bacteria?

The research findings from both the 2020 study by AL Sales and the 2023 study by A Dai suggest that coffee's impact on gut bacteria is complex but not bad for gut bacteria. 

The 2020 study indicates that components in coffee, particularly from medium-roasted arabica extracts, can promote the growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, while inhibiting harmful Escherichia coli strains that can lead to foodborne illnesses.

The 2023 study reveals a nuanced relationship between coffee intake and gut microbiota. It suggests that higher caffeine and coffee consumption are associated with increased diversity and richness of gut microbiota, along with elevated levels of beneficial bacteria such as Faecalibacterium and Alistipes.

Can You Mix Kefir With Coffee?

Yes, mixing kefir with coffee is indeed possible and has been explored by many individuals. Kefir can be added to coffee, either by brewing or simply mixing, to create a combination of flavors. Using hot coffee can impact the taste and texture of kefir and can kill some probiotic bacteria.

Kefir is a fermented dairy product, similar to yogurt, that is rich in probiotics and has a tangy flavor. The potential taste of kefir mixed with coffee can offer a unique blend of tangy creaminess that may either complement or contrast with the rich bitterness of the coffee.