Your daily coffee habit may be quietly reshaping your gut and mood, study finds

Coffee may do more than keep you going: It could have a noticeable impact on your digestive health, even if you drink decaf.

Researchers from APC Microbiome Ireland found that habitual coffee consumption alters the trillions of microbes living in the digestive tract, creating a chemical feedback loop that directly influences mood, stress levels and cognitive sharpness.

The study followed 62 participants to determine how coffee interacts with the microbiome. The group included 31 coffee drinkers and 31 non-coffee drinkers, who went through a series of psychological tests and kept detailed journals about their diet and coffee consumption.

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The researchers defined "coffee drinkers" as those consuming three to five cups daily, a range the European Food Safety Authority deems safe and moderate.

After people stopped drinking coffee for two weeks and then started drinking it again, the bacteria in their digestive systems behaved differently than the non-drinkers, according to a press release.

"Coffee is more than just caffeine," study author Professor John Cryan, principal investigator at APC Microbiome Ireland, said in a statement.

"It’s a complex dietary factor that interacts with our gut microbes, our metabolism and even our emotional well-being."

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The coffee drinkers were found to have higher levels of specific beneficial bacteria, such as Eggertella and Cryptobacterium curtum.

These microbes play a vital role in releasing gastric acids and creating bile, both of which help the body eliminate harmful bacteria and manage inflammation, the researchers noted.

Both caffeinated and decaf drinkers reported lower levels of perceived stress, depression and impulsivity. This suggests that the non-caffeine components of coffee, like polyphenols and antioxidants, are doing the heavy lifting for mental health.

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However, the two types of brew offer different perks. Caffeinated coffee was specifically linked to reduced anxiety and better focus, while decaf was shown to lead to significant improvements in learning and episodic memory.

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Researchers believe these cognitive gains in decaf drinkers may be tied to better sleep quality and increased physical activity.

The study’s findings are limited by a small sample size, which may not accurately represent the diverse microbiome profiles found across different global populations.

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Because the research relied heavily on self-reported data regarding participants' coffee habits and mood levels, the results are subject to memory errors and subjective bias, the researchers noted.

The study also did not strictly control for other dietary variables, such as sugar and dairy additives, which could independently influence gut health and cloud the specific impact of the coffee bean itself.

The research was published in the journal Nature Communications.

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First-ever gene therapy for hearing loss gets FDA approval: 'Groundbreaking'

A new therapy for genetic hearing loss has just been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The treatment, Otarmeni (lunsotogene parvec-cwha), is the first-ever dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-based gene therapy, meaning it uses two harmless viruses to deliver the therapy into cells.

In an FDA news release, the agency called the therapy "groundbreaking," noting its potential to treat both pediatric and adult patients with "severe to profound" hearing loss linked to the OTOF gene.

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Positive results from drug trials were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2025, confirming that the gene therapy "improved hearing in patients with OTOF-related deafness, enabling natural acoustic hearing and normalizing hearing sensitivity in three of 12 treated patients."

The FDA approval marks the first disease-modifying treatment for OTOF-related deafness.

This is the sixth drug approval under the FDA commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) pilot program and the first gene therapy to be approved through the initiative, according to the announcement.

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"Today’s approval is a significant milestone in the treatment of genetic hearing loss," FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a statement.

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"Through the National Priority Voucher pilot program, the agency is accelerating therapies for rare diseases with unmet medical needs while proving we can successfully review even the most complex submissions — such as novel dual-vector gene therapies and combination products requiring coordination across multiple offices and centers — in significantly shortened time frames."

Otarmeni is administered surgically as a one-time treatment, using a needle and a tiny tube to deliver the medicine directly into the inner ear (the cochlea) in both ears.

The therapy works by delivering a healthy copy of the OTOF gene to key cells in the inner ear, helping to restore the protein otoferlin so auditory signals can be sent to the brain, according to the FDA.

The treatment is intended for patients with preserved outer hair cell function and for those with no prior cochlear implant in the same ear. Side effects may include middle ear infection, nausea, dizziness and procedural pain.

The FDA will host a public meeting June 4 to discuss program implementation, eligibility criteria and other processes for distribution, according to the announcement.

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Carrie Ann Inaba shares her struggle to manage hidden, invisible illness: 'It's real'

Longtime "Dancing with the Stars" judge Carrie Ann Inaba is spreading awareness about a condition she’s been living with for decades.

The dancer and TV personality has recently been transparent about her journey with Sjogren’s disease – an autoimmune condition that can start with seemingly small symptoms but has the potential to become debilitating.

Inaba, 58, was rushed to the hospital last week after her condition triggered a medical emergency mid-flight while traveling to New York City.

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In an Instagram post featuring a video of Inaba being transported in an ambulance, she described how she "suddenly felt quite ill."

"And while it seemed like food poisoning, I also suddenly broke out into a cold sweat, got dizzy and my arms went numb," she wrote.

"Like many people who live with autoimmune disease, I travel with a health tool kit and am prepared for the worst, but this scared me."

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In an interview with Fox News Digital, Inaba revealed that she’s been silently struggling with the disease for years, since first developing eye problems when she was younger.

"My eyes were really, really dry and I kept having injuries to my corneas," she said.

After consulting her ophthalmologist, who brushed off her symptoms, Inaba met with a rheumatologist who directed her to a Sjogren’s specialist.

Following extensive bloodwork and a dry-eye test, Inaba was diagnosed with Sjogren’s disease in 2013 – more than 10 years after she first experienced symptoms.

Sjogren’s is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease that can affect different parts of the body. If left untreated, the condition can worsen over time, in some cases causing damage to the lungs, kidneys and other organs, according to medical experts.

An estimated four million people in the U.S. are living with Sjogren’s, 90% of whom are women.

In a survey of more than 3,500 adults living with the disease, 48 different symptoms were reported over the course of a year, per data from Sjout for Sjogren’s.

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Sjogren’s can show up differently for everyone, making it difficult to diagnose.

In Inaba's case, after the initial dry-eye symptoms, she began suffering from "a lot of pain" in her neck and shoulders. As a dancer, this was difficult to differentiate from the normal aches and pains, she shared. Extreme fatigue was another symptom she experienced.

"I had no energy to move forward with things, which is unlike me," she said. "I've always been a go-getter ... I was physically active my whole life. And during this chapter, when I was starting to figure out something was wrong, there were all these symptoms, and I didn't understand how they were related."

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Other symptoms can include dry mouth, brain fog, anxiety, swollen glands and lymph nodes, skin rashes, fevers and night sweats. People may also notice numbness, tingling or burning in the hands or feet. Internal organ complications can also occur.

Inaba said she relies on a variety of practices to manage her symptoms, including keeping her eyes and environment moist.

"I always have a lot of drinks. I'm always spraying things in the air to get moisture in the air. I have a humidifier I sleep with," she told Fox News Digital.

"I also do lots of meditation and reiki and body work to make sure I don't get too flared up, because pain is always with me. I live with pain 24/7."

Inaba said she’s learned how to listen to her body to tap into what it needs, especially taking time to rest surrounding big events.

"I know that more than likely, I might be sick and I might have a few down days afterwards, and it's worth the risk," she said. "If I don't have to be in a crowd, I won't, because I want to take care of my health and prioritize myself."

For others who are living with Sjogren’s or experiencing symptoms, Inaba’s advice is to keep "careful track" of the warning signs, to recognize when something doesn’t feel right and to advocate for proper care.

This is the message behind the Sjout for Sjogren’s campaign, an awareness movement that Inaba hopes will help spread more knowledge about the disease and reduce stigma.

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"We want people to respect that it is a complicated systemic autoimmune disease that needs care," she said. "There is no FDA-approved treatment at this time, so it's about managing symptoms."

"It’s important to also have a community – and part of this campaign is about building a community."

The most important thing Inaba wants people to know about Sjogren’s is that "it’s real."

"It's an invisible illness," she said. "I know when I'm out there doing whatever show I'm doing, you don't think I'm sick, but I pay a price for doing that."

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"It's sometimes a lonely and isolating disease – and so I want people to know they can reach out … I want people to feel confident enough to shout about what they're going through."

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She added, "Don't let people tell you it's not real. And have patience for the friends who are trying to understand, but can't quite. Because, most likely, you don't believe it unless you're actually experiencing it."

Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.

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Riley Gaines shares 5 wellness tips she swears by as a new mom: 'Really powerful'

Riley Gaines, host of her podcast "The Riley Gaines Show," discussed in a recent episode how to make room for wellness even during life changes, and offered advice for others trying to stick to a routine.

"I don't see anything wrong with wanting to achieve the healthiest version of yourself no matter what stage of life you're in," said the former NCAA Division I swimmer, who gave birth to her first baby in September 2025.

Below are Gaines' top five tips for staying healthy as a new mom.

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Focusing on health in the first 60 minutes after waking up helps ensure that your health doesn't get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list, according to Gaines.

Even with her background as a competitive swimmer, "there's just always something that needs to be done or there's something that somebody needs from you," she said.

Carving out an early-morning window of time helps with building a mental edge before the world begins making demands, according to Gaines.

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"I love the concept of already doing so many things, so many hard things, before most people even hit snooze on their alarm clock," she said.

To make this sustainable, Gaines suggests a simple preparation: laying out your gear the night before. "That way, in the morning when you wake up, all you have to do is throw it on."

Many people struggle with the natural loss of muscle mass and energy as they age. Gaines said her approach to nutrition isn't about dieting in the traditional sense, but about providing the body with the "brick and mortar" it needs to stay durable.

She was quick to bust the common myth that high protein leads to an unwanted bulky appearance.

"It's not true, myth busted. It will keep you lean, you will feel fuller for longer."

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Gaines' rule of thumb is to aim for 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight.

"If you don't have enough protein, then your body cannot effectively repair the tiny tears that happen during strength training, which is the good kind of damage that leads to stronger, more lean muscles," she said.

Gaines advocates for building a strong core through any movement, even during ordinary day-to-day activities.

"Every single time my car stops at a red light, I engage my core ... I contract and flex my abs," she said in the episode. "It's almost like you're training your muscles to contract without having to do the crunches or the planks or the sit ups."

Fitness is significantly harder when done in a vacuum, Gaines shared, noting that solo motivation "fades really, really fast," especially when life gets busy or energy is low.

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She recommends finding an accountability partner, such as a spouse, friend, or family member, who can celebrate your wins and check in on your progress. 

"Find something or someone or some way to keep you accountable," Gaines advised, noting that her family frequently works out together.

"Without consistency, you're just repeatedly starting over," Gaines warned.

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"How many times have you guys said, '[the] diet starts Monday,' and maybe you make it to Wednesday, and then you're back ... You're really not doing anything, actually. You're confusing your body."

By showing up when you don't want to, you stop negotiating with yourself, she said.

"It's consistency that builds discipline, which turns into confidence," Gaines added. "You stop negotiating with yourself and start identifying as someone who follows through."

"That identity shift is really powerful, and it carries into every area of life."

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Common sweetener may trigger fat buildup in ways experts didn’t expect

"Drinking your calories" is typically discouraged where weight loss is concerned, as sweeteners in soda, coffees and other beverages are known obesity drivers.

A new review by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz suggests that fructose alone may drive metabolic disease via sugar consumption.

The study, published in Nature Metabolism, took a closer look at the role of certain sweeteners, like table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, in obesity and metabolic disease. Both types contain glucose and fructose.

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Glucose ingestion may lead to obesity by stimulating insulin secretion, but fructose has "unique metabolic effects that promote triglyceride synthesis and fat accumulation," according to the study authors.

Triglyceride synthesis is the process by which the body builds triglycerides, the main form of stored fat.

"Under modern conditions of overnutrition, chronic excess fructose drives features of metabolic syndrome," the authors wrote. "Emerging evidence further links fructose to cancer and dementia." (In this context, "overnutrition" means the body is consistently getting more calories and nutrients than it needs.)

In a university press release, lead study author Richard Johnson, MD, professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz, confirmed that "fructose is not just another calorie."

"It acts as a metabolic signal that promotes fat production and storage in ways that differ fundamentally from glucose," he wrote.

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The report suggests that fructose may contribute to disease because it skips important steps in how the body processes energy. This can lead to more fat production, lower cellular energy, and the buildup of a compound associated with metabolic dysfunction.

"Over time, these effects may contribute to metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that includes obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk," the researchers confirmed.

The authors added that fructose can also be produced internally from glucose, which suggests that its role in disease may be bigger than previously assumed.

"This review highlights fructose as a central player in metabolic health," Johnson commented. "Understanding its unique biological effects is critical for developing more effective strategies to prevent and treat metabolic disease."

As this research is a review, it only interprets existing evidence instead of proving a new result, posing a limitation to the findings.

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In an interview with Fox News Digital, certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco shared that fructose is processed differently than other sugars, as it is mostly pushed through the liver, placing more of a burden on the organ.

"Unlike glucose, fructose metabolism … [can] make the liver turn the sugar into fat more easily, which is why the study said that it can lead to triglyceride regeneration," said the New York City-based expert. "Triglycerides are fat deposits in the arteries."

Another reason fructose may contribute to insulin resistance, blood sugar spikes and diabetes is that increased fat buildup in the body can interfere with insulin signaling, according to the nutritionist.

"Your pancreas doesn't know how to keep up with the signaling of insulin, so it has to produce more and more insulin, and that's what turns into diabetes," she said.

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DeCicco noted that fructose can be found in processed sugars, as well as natural foods like fruits and vegetables. The healthy qualities of whole foods — like high-fiber apples or asparagus — help promote fullness and are less likely to spike blood sugar.

Some natural sweeteners, like stevia and monk fruit, do not contain fructose. These may serve as better alternatives for people keeping a close eye on their metabolic health, such as those with diabetes or obesity.

Sweetening recipes with natural sugar byproducts, like apple sauce or apple juice, is another healthy alternative, DeCicco noted.

"Yes, there's fructose because it is derived from apples, but you're also getting antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber," she said.

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Maple syrup also has less fructose than honey, DeCicco added, and rice malt and glucose syrup have zero fructose.

"I'm not saying someone should go out of their way to use those, but if they already have a bad liver, if they're overweight, if they're diabetic … and if they need to bake or have something sweet, I would use one of those alternatives," she said.

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Highly contagious stomach bug spreads fast, hitting certain patients hardest

A highly contagious digestive virus is surging across the U.S., experts warn.

Rotavirus, a double-stranded RNA virus, causes acute gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and intestines — which can lead to severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain.

The virus primarily affects infants and young children, but there have also been outbreaks in elderly populations, such as nursing homes.

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Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in the week ending April 4, out of 2,329 rotavirus tests, 7.3% were positive for the infection. Last year’s highest infection rate was 6.77% as of the week ending April 19.

"We’re seeing a lot of rotavirus in the wastewater right now," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, confirmed to Fox News Digital. "Testing for rotavirus is way down, but the percentage of positive tests is up."

While the virus typically peaks in the spring, it is not currently slowing down, he noted.

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, a medical editor at GoodRx who is based in California, said there are several possible reasons for the rotavirus spike.

"Vaccine rates are down overall among young children, as they decreased during COVID," she told Fox News Digital. "This means there’s a growing number of infants and young children who are vulnerable to infection."

The rotavirus vaccine series must be completed by the time a child is 8 months old, she noted.

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As a result of the declining vaccinations, herd immunity isn’t protecting vulnerable children, according to Pinto-Garcia. "Children who haven’t finished the vaccine series yet, are too young to get vaccinated, or can’t get the vaccine due to medical illness are more likely to get exposed to the illness because other children aren't vaccinated," she said.

Siegel noted that before the vaccine became available, rotavirus resulted in 55,000 to 70,000 in the U.S. per year.

"I am concerned that the vaccination rate has been declining over the past seven years and is continuing to decline in the current climate of vaccine skepticism," he said.

Surveillance methods are also much better than they used to be, Pinto-Garcia noted, which means public health experts are able to pick up and track cases better than ever before.

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"But we see that rotavirus-related healthcare visits are also up, so improved detection is not the only reason we are seeing this spike," she said.

The COVID pandemic also disrupted the pattern of infections, according to Pinto-Garcia, so it’s "tricky" to compare the current levels against older cycles.

"It’s possible that what we are seeing is still some post-pandemic rebound, but it’s unlikely that this year’s pattern is fully explained by just this factor," she added.

Dr. Zachary Hoy, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Pediatrix Medical Group based in Nashville, Tennessee, often sees young patients with rotavirus.

"Rotavirus is spread via the fecal-oral route, meaning that a person comes into contact with virus droplets from contact with other children or adults, or from contact with objects such as toys that have been contaminated with the virus from someone who is sick," he told Fox News Digital. "This can lead to outbreaks, especially at schools where many young children share the same toys."

Rotavirus is associated with many dehydration cases in the hospital due to the degree of diarrhea, according to Hoy.

In some severe cases, the virus can lead to seizures due to electrolyte imbalances from dehydration and loss of electrolytes in the stool.

"Younger children do not have the reserves that older children and adults have, so they can become more dehydrated quicker and develop more severe electrolyte imbalances, leading to more severe infections," Hoy said.

"Patients with problems with their immune systems or on medications that can decrease their immune systems can have more severe and prolonged infections, too."

Because rotavirus is a viral infection, antibiotics are not effective against it. There is no specific antiviral treatment for the condition, with doctors typically recommending supportive care.

"The mainstay of treatment is hospitalization for rehydration via intravenous (IV) fluids," Hoy told Fox News Digital. "Sometimes it can take up to two to three days of IV fluids to help get patients rehydrated."

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Blood draws are often necessary to evaluate patients' electrolyte levels, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, according to the doctor.

"If these electrolyte levels are significantly low, sometimes patients need special IV solutions or individual electrolyte medications," he added.

Dr. Daniel Park, medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, noted that most children recover with supportive care, but parents should seek medical attention if a child shows signs of dehydration. Those include decreased urination, lethargy or inability to keep fluids down.

"While rare, rotavirus can be life-threatening in vulnerable populations, especially very young infants or children with underlying medical conditions," Park told Fox News Digital.

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Given the lack of antiviral medications for rotavirus, doctors emphasize the importance of prevention, primarily the vaccine.

There are two rotavirus vaccines – Rotateq (a three-dose series) and Rotarix (a two-dose series). They are given starting at age 2 months as oral drops, not injections, according to Hoy.

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"It's important to get the rotavirus vaccines on schedule, because these younger infants are at greatest risk if they get rotavirus," he advised.

Other recommended prevention methods include handwashing with soap and water.

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