Coffee consumption revealed sex differences in host endogenous metabolism and gut microbiota in healthy adults

Coffee is rich in antioxidant and has been shown to confer various health benefits. Here, we investigated the effect of single-dose coffee consumption in healthy human subjects. About 30 healthy volunteers were recruited and given a serving of sugar free black coffee. Urine and fecal samples were collected and analyzed. Significant changes in urinary metabolites relating to coffee, gut microbial and host energy metabolisms were observed post-coffee consumption. Clear sex differences were also observed in the urinary metabolic profiles pre- and post-coffee consumption. Sex differences in richness and composition of gut microbiota were observed, however, the effect of single-dose coffee consumption on host gut microbiota were unremarkable. These findings indicated that single-dose coffee consumption affects sex-specific host metabolic responses that relates to gut-microbe and energy metabolism. This study demonstrated the utility of systems biology tools to unravel complexity of host-diet biology and gut microbial responses. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study demonstrated that integrated systems biology approach enabled efficient extractions of host biochemical and microbial information that allows food industry to ascertain the impact of diet and longitudinal assessment of potential functional food in humans.