Learn about caffeine consumption and genetics, and the caffeine content in popular beverages. High blood pressure may be due to mineral imbalance, Hops Supplements and the Science of Sleep. For more on that, see: VDR genotypes, caffeine and bone density. All citations used have been vetted by our research team headed by Dr. Aaron Gardner. Although, high rates of caffeine consumption has also been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Caffeine consumption and metabolism are influenced by genetic markers near the CYPI A2 and AHR genes. Genetics of Caffeine Consumption Several genes are involved in eliciting the different responses to caffeine among individuals. We performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on coffee intake from 8 Caucasian cohorts (N=18 176) and sought replication of our top findings in a further 7929 individuals.We also performed a gene expression analysis treating different cell lines with caffeine. If you feel there are inaccuracies in any of our written work, we invite you to use the contact form on our Contact page to tell us how we could improve. Carriers of the gene mutation who had Parkinson's also had lower consumption of caffeine in their diet. However, it has been reported that coffee or tea consumption can reduce the risk of several diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline and specific cancers. All rights reserved. It’s been working great. Genetics determines how quickly your body processes and eliminates the caffeine and whether it is likely to make you jittery or anxious. ). For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) says “for pregnant women with high daily caffeine intake (more than 300 mg per day), lowering daily caffeine intake during pregnancy is recommended to reduce the risk of pregnancy loss and low birth weight neonates.” Given the widespread consumption of various types of beverages and their substantial health implications, understanding environmental and genetic factors contributing to beverage choice and consumption levels have important nutritional and broader public health implications. Don’t just go from 9 cups a day to none. Let’s take a look at a few popular drinks and how their caffeine count breaks down in milligrams, in addition to the health benefits of caffeine, potential side effects and risks, and how to lower your caffeine intake. 1 2, However, there is evidence that it’s not the caffeine that drives these health benefits, but the antioxidants in the tea and coffee. (R). Your caffeine levels peak about 1-hour after consumption and then start to decrease gradually. Introduction. Caffeine also acts as a central nervous system stimulant, increasing reaction time. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31046077. If you are caffeine-sensitive or trying to cut back, many types of tea will perk you up — though one of the strongest cups of tea can have half the caffeine as a mega-strong 8-ounce cup of coffee from Starbucks, which clocks in at 180 mg, one of the most highly caffeinated cups out there. We already know that pregnant women shouldn’t drink caffeine, but fertile women who drink more than 500 mg of caffeine per day may have a more difficult time getting pregnant due to increased oxidative stress. These variants are located near two genes: CYP1A2 and AHR. You can login to your Genomelink dashboard to see this new genetic trait. Slow metabolizers may experience negative side effects of caffeine consumption to a higher … The -866 G/A UCP2 gene variation was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. (R). (R) Energy drinks, too, have led to hundreds of thousands of emergency room visits, with symptoms including feeling shaky or jittery, insomnia, palpitations, GI upset, headache, chest pain, and even seizures. Cortisol regulates energy balance, and those who consistently drink caffeine have reduced response to the good effect of cortisol. To date, caffeine is regarded as the most frequently consumed stimulant in the world due to increasing consumption of … In terms of cardiovascular disease (CVD), although randomized controlled trials demonstrate that intake of caffeine, the most prominent bioactive compound of coffee, leads to acute i… The association between FTO variants and coffee consumption shown in the study is supported by a recent Mendelian randomization study which reported that a BMI-increasing allele in a gene with FTO was associated with higher coffee consumption. What you’re ingesting with the caffeine matters greatly. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21432699, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20182026, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3301987, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3805807/, Pass the salt? Amber Krosel is a Gene Food experience writer and official taste tester. Caffeine in powder or liquid form can provide toxic levels of caffeine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cautioned. (R). Point is that not all caffeine sources are created equal. Though, like green tea, mate increases satiety and increases the breakdown of fat in our bodies, so we may be looking at healthy weight-loss goals being met just a little sooner if we choose any tea over coffee. Coffee, tea, grapefruit juice, red wine, liquor and beer were classified as bitter beverages, while non-grapefruit juices and artificially and sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) were classified as sweet beverages. The “most widely consumed drug in Western society,” caffeine is absorbed quickly into our system. Although rs9937053 in FTO gene, rs8056750 in HYDIN gene, and rs116094457 in RNF166 gene were not among those replicated, the joint analysis (stage 1 + stage 2) showed at least nominally significant relationships with coffee consumption. Aaron did an excellent write up a few months back titled: Can telomeres predict lifespan? Upload raw DNA data to learn more about yourself and genomics science. That’s the job of your metabolism, and when it comes to caffeine, just two genes handle most of the work. We all know that caffeine before bed is a no-no, but even caffeine ingested 6 hours before sleep — those afternoon coffee pick-me-ups, for example — have been found to have significant effects on sleep, presumably because caffeine blocks adenosine receptors. Overall, strengths and directions of SNP-phenotype associations were similar across total bitter beverages, bitter non-alcoholic beverages and coffee, based on joint meta-analysis. Variants in these genes may affect how quickly the body breaks down and clears away caffeine. In addition to caffeine, coffee contains caffeic and cholrogenic acid, both of which are potent antioxidants. There are plenty of health benefits associated with drinking caffeine, or at least the beverages you may be drinking that contain caffeine. Caffeine Sensitivity Genes: CYP1A2 gene: This gene codes for the enzyme that metabolizes, or breaks down, caffeine in the body. Some coffee mugs fit more than 8 ounces, and grabbing a venti iced coffee from a Starbucks drive-thru is going to set you pretty far back on your caffeine goals for the day. Coffee consumption may decrease the risk of developing Parkinson's, even for people with a gene mutation linked to the disease, reports a new study. What is the lethal dose of caffeine in humans? “How this gene relates to both caffeine metabolism and caffeine-seeking behavior is unclear but worthy of further study, given its link to several health outcomes,” Cornelis said. I actually use Gene Food’s Daily Magnesium supplement. Similarly, in certain VDR genotypes, caffeine consumption in women was linked to a greater risk for osteoporosis. She loves beer, her boyfriend and her adopted pup. I tell myself that I need to be better about switching to green tea in the afternoons, at least, but I’m not sure I can start my morning with a steaming cup of tea. In the study, strong environment effects (e.g. Genetic variants related to coffee consumption may play a critical role in bitter or sweet beverage consumption. This enzyme is a member Of a large family Of enzymes called cytochrome P450. Try also drinking a big glass of water in the morning before your first cup of coffee. Instant or soluble coffee generally has less caffeine than roasted or ground coffee. Because of our processed-food diets today, many people are magnesium-deficient and they don’t know it. Two variants of the gene exist: the CPA1A2*1A allele results in fast caffeine metabolism, while the CPA1A2*1F allele results in slower caffeine metabolism. For a little more technical breakdown of telomere genetics, check out the TERT gene page. You can find all the references for this post organized at the bottom of this piece. This mineral is responsible for more than 300 enzymatic reactions in our bodies, making it essential for physiological functions like heart rhythm, nerve function, and muscle relaxation. (R). The mechanism is unclear, but studies have associated coffee and caffeine consumption with lower levels of diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. (R) Magnesium also has been shown to help increase energy and reduce anxiety, so it may be a good substitute for that caffeine boost some people love without some of the side effects. (R) Just make sure you are measuring an actual cup. Both pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic polymorphisms have been linked to variation in response to … Genetics studies on twins have suggested that caffeine consumption has a highly heritable component - estimates suggest 30-50% of the variation in coffee consumption in a group of people can be explained by genetics. 1 So, bottom line, unlike curcumin, which isn’t readily absorbed, caffeine packs a punch. Generally, the amount of caffeine consumption is less than 300 mg/day, which is more or less: 3-4 cups of roasted and ground coffee; 5 cups of instant coffee; 5 cups of tea. Wondering what in the world is a telomere? Enjoy! Researchers found eight such variants, two of which had already been linked to coffee consumption. So, with the two crossing each other out, potentially, the benefits of mate may override other teas and coffee. A better understanding of the factors influencing caffeine intake could help to identify critical factors affecting quality of life and/or susceptibility to disease 16,17 . With an average of 100 milligrams of caffeine in each cup, it wakes up your brain and boosts your energy. Scientists have identified genetic variants that influence how your body handles caffeine. Caffeinated drinks like coffee may help to protect people from Parkinson’s disease caused by mutations in the LRRK2 gene, much as research suggests it does in preventing sporadic, or non-familial, forms of this disease, a study reported. Since beginning the research on this blog post, I’m down to just 2 cups of coffee a day. Medically reviewed by Dr. Daniel Deakter, MD. A recent Mendelian randomization analysis reported that bitter perception was causally associated with coffee, tea and alcohol consumption.In this study, researchers conducted a two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) of  self-reported consumption of bitter- and sweet-tasting beverages. Copyright © 2020 Awaken, Inc. All rights reserved. Such high levels of caffeine can cause serious health problems and possibly death. For example, soda is basically liquid sugar, and even diet soda containing aspartame has been linked to adverse side effects (including being potentially carcinogenic). Hence, even relatively modest individual health effects of coffee would have important public health implications. Data on coffee consumption and other dietary components were collected using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire along with other caffeine-containing beverages such as tea, chocolate, and other beverages. For example, this study found that telomere length was actually decreased in those who regularly consumed caffeine, but increased in those who consumed coffee. Just one teaspoon of powdered caffeine is equivalent to about 28 cups of coffee. Let’s look at some of the proven benefits of drinking caffeine, the world’s most popular drug. If you are a Slow Metabolizer then your genetic makeup indicates you process caffeine at a slower rate and, as a result, caffeine may have longer-lasting stimulant effects. Truth be told, I drink about 3-5 cups (how “cup” is actually defined on a coffeemaker, not physical mugs) of coffee a day. Certain genotypes in the CYP1A2 gene are associated with slower caffeine metabolism, and therefore are more prone to that "jittery" feeling after a cup of coffee or even tea. Generally, the amount of caffeine consumption is … Gene: CYPIA2 CYPIA2 The CYPI A2 qene contains instructions for an that breaks down many substances, including caffeine. The lethal dose of caffeine is 2 grams of caffeine per day, that is, 80-100 cups of coffee a day. We have strict editorial guidelines and only link to vetted media sites, university websites and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. That can be anywhere from 200 to 400 mg. Caffeine also lurks in other things we eat, like chocolate, and in some over-the-counter medications. Read more about the study here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31046077Are you interested in learning more about your genetic tendency for coffee consumption? Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide (1), with an estimated 3 billion cups drunk daily (2). As mentioned above, yerba mate might be a great alternative for those looking for a caffeine boost but concerned about their blood pressure. Caffeine answers questions for a broad range of readers interested in the effects beverages and foods containing this dietary methylxanthine have on human health, nutrition, and physiological functioning. However, it is important to note that caffeine can cross the placental barrier, and therefore, can affect the fetus. By you using this site, you agree the information contained here is for informational purposes only. It can increase the fetus's heart rate and, in some cases, may even lead to a miscarriage. The study identified two genes associated with the amount of caffeine people consume. Or maybe it’s time to switch up your beverage of choice. CYP1A2 at 15q24 and AHR at 7p21 are attractive candidate genes for caffeine intake. Chocolate and yerba mate are both tea — “South American’s green tea,” by nickname. Additionally, we showed that the −866 G/A UCP2 gene variation influences the relationship between coffee intake and adiposity. Further research into caffeine could categorise populations by gene-type consider the impact of caffeine consumption on various functions. Average caffeine consumption via coffee, tea, caffeinated sodas, or chocolate was recorded. Feel free to pop back here and let us know how it’s going. One thing I’ve found that has been working for me is taking a magnesium supplement with my breakfast. Caffeine-found in tea, coffee, mate, cola beverages, cocoa, and chocolate products-is an integral part of the diet of many people. (R). Genetic and phenotypic data from over 370,000 adults of European ancestry was collected first from the UK biobank (stage 1), and then three additional US-based cohorts (stage 2). Fast metabolizers tend to drink more caffeine than slow metabolizers. If you’ve gotten your genetics tested, you can see which genes are targeted, as well, plus a few links to studies about magnesium. In the first GWAS of caffeine intake in a total of 47,341 individuals from five U.S. studies, loci at 15q24 and 7p21 achieved genome-wide significance. You can track your daily caffeine intake in a food journal, which I do. In fact, 99% of ingested caffeine is absorbed and distributed to all tissues and organs. In addition to caffeine, mate contains theobromine, which is predominantly found in cocoa. Significant associations of fifteen independent SNPs spanning 10 loci were replicated from stage 1 to 2 for coffee consumption. For specific medical questions, consult your doctor. 1. 2, Caffeine increases levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. It has been reported that taste perception and preferences are heritable and play a role in beverage choice and consumption. The health benefits and risks of coffee have long been debated, with various outcomes reported (3). Shortly after drinking a cup of coffee or tea, the caffeine is distributed throughout the body (nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, etc. (R), Higher levels of caffeine intake of any kind may raise serum cholesterol and lead to heart health problems. Modeling based on twin studies reveals that genetics plays a role in individual variability in caffeine consumption and in the direct effects of caffeine. (R), Actual caffeine content in tea or coffee can vary based on cultivation, preparation, and brewing time, so some really strong green teas may have more caffeine than black tea. It’s an infusion of leaves made from plants that thrive in this region. While these genetic variants have been strongly associated with caffeine consumption, they are far from the whole picture. Cocoa can be an excellent source of antioxidants, and theobromine actually reduces blood pressure, whereas caffeine increases it. CYP1A2: How does this gene affect caffeine consumption? Holiday Sale: Use coupon code HOLIDAY at checkout for $15 off DNA Diet Test Kits. In terms of the joint effects of GRIN2A_rs4998386 with caffeine intake as well as the gene-caffeine interaction, they both were also strongly pronounced in our cohort (CC-light caffeine vs. TC-heavy caffeine: OR = 0.38, p = 0.002 and gene-caffeine interaction: OR = 0.998, P<0.001, respectively). (R), Caffeine also can make you need to pee, so people with overactive bladder should avoid or be cautious consuming it. The CYP1A2 gene controls the activity of the cytochrome P450 1A2 enzyme, which is responsible for nearly all of our metabolic processing of caffeine. (R). Significant associations of fifteen independent SNPs spanning 10 loci were replicated from stage 1 to 2 for coffee consumption. If you’re a habitual coffee drinker consuming well over the 400-mg recommended limit, you’ll want to gradually reduce your caffeine intake. Moderate caffeine intake — 400 mg per day — is generally considered safe from adverse effects such as general toxicity, cardiovascular problems, poorer bone health, and more. Although rs9937053 in FTO gene, rs8056750 in HYDIN gene, and rs116094457 in RNF166 gene were not among those replicated, the joint analysis (stage 1 + stage 2) showed at least nominally significant relationships with coffee consumption. For many people, there is nothing better than rolling out of bed and enjoying a fresh, hot cup of joe. Caffeine withdrawal, and its symptoms, are real, and include headache, fatigue, irritability, and more. In stratified analysis, a statistical significance within the caffeinated group was observed for the change in systolic BP in the stratum of CYP1A2 polymorphism with daily caffeine consumption ≤90 mg/day: change in systolic BP in the CYP1A2 rs762551 CC group (mean ± SD = 11.8 ± 5.9) was higher than that in the AA/CA group (4.1 ± 5.5). The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee can vary greatly depending on the origin or the coffee and it mixture and the elaboration method. How about you? But usually, coffee is the winner, here. Do you ever worry about your caffeine consumption? Both of the genes are known to be involved in the breakdown of caffeine in the liver. How can I reduce the amount of coffee I drink? One is the CYP1A2 gene that encodes for a liver enzyme critical for the metabolism of caffeine. Variations in the genes that direct how the body processes caffeine mean that it leaves some people's systems quickly, while it lingers for much longer in others. (R). Sure, Shelly! Could your DNA reveal your Coffee Consumption? demographic, social, occupational, cultural and others) may have masked genetic effects but replication of results from a UK population to a US populationenhances generalizability and reduces false positive results. The gene is thought to regulate the production of proteins that metabolize caffeine in the body, the study authors report. The speed of this decline depends on your CYP1A2 gene, which controls an enzyme (also called CYP1A2) that is in charge of breaking down any caffeine that enters the body. Copyright © 2021 Gene Food. If you’re worried about how much caffeine you’re drinking, there are ways to cut back. Another is the AHR gene, which controls when and how the CYP1A2 gene is switched on and off (2). Caffeine tolerance develops to balance the increased consumption, but th ese effect s are not influenced by the CYP1A2 gene. Compared to an average cup of coffee containing 85 mg of caffeine, mate has 78 mg — topping off the mate pot, though, may lead to consuming increased amounts of caffeine pretty quickly. Coffee consumption is a model for addictive behavior. At Gene Food, we are committed to providing our readers accurate, evidence based content. Whether genetic variants related to taste perception are associated with beverage consumption remains to be determined. One is on chromosome 7 near the AHR gene, and the other is on chromosome 15 near the CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 genes. Start slow, and see if you can swap out one cup of coffee for tea, or begin mixing in some decaf. A little caffeine during pregnancy appears to be safe in most cases. Remember, a moderate amount of caffeine is OK for adults who are healthy. Are healthy holiday at checkout for $ 15 off DNA diet Test Kits it has been working me... Caffeine intake proven benefits of mate may override other teas and coffee go from 9 cups a day Genomelink to! Day, that is, 80-100 cups caffeine consumption gene coffee have long been,... Off ( 2 ) is taking a magnesium supplement with my breakfast who had Parkinson 's also lower... Linked to coffee consumption the metabolism of caffeine can cross the placental barrier, and include headache,,! 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