Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee lower stress, depression and impulsivity
A study from the University of Coimbra and other institutions found that both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption can lower stress, depression, and impulsivity, highlighting potential mental health benefits beyond caffeine.
Background
- The article summarizes a meta-analysis (a study of existing studies) from the journal *Nutrients* that looked at links between coffee consumption and mental health markers like stress, depression, and impulsivity.
- Both regular (caffeinated) and decaf coffee showed benefits — suggesting compounds other than caffeine (like polyphenols and antioxidants) may be responsible.
- "Impulsivity" here refers to a psychological trait linked to poor self-regulation, not ADHD hyperactivity. The study found coffee drinkers (caffeinated and decaf) scored lower on impulsivity measures.
- The research team was based at University College Cork (UCC), a major Irish university; the piece appears in UCC's alumni newsletter, so it is framed as institutional news rather than a peer-reviewed journal article.