Science

It depends.

It should also be noted that, overall, NCD participants appear to benefit from lower impulsivity and emotional reactivity, better cognitive stability, reduced inflammation risk, more stable blood pressure, distinct and potentially healthier gut microbiota and metabolite profiles and avoidance of caffeine withdrawal symptoms. These advantages may stem from the absence of a stimulant such as caffeine, allowing for the preservation of endogenous neurophysiological rhythms and homeostatic regulatory mechanisms, thereby promoting greater stability in cognitive, metabolic, and immunological function.

That said caffeinated coffee reduced anxiety, psychological distress, blood pressure, and improved attention and stress coping, while decaffeinated coffee enhanced sleep, physical activity, and memory. Both types lowered stress, depression, impulsivity, and inflammation, while also boosting mood and cognitive performance. Coffee influenced the gut microbiome, increased beneficial (poly)phenols and metabolites, and provided anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting that coffee, regardless of caffeine content, supports cognitive, psychological, immune, and metabolic health in distinct but complementary ways.