Gene-Coffee Interactions and Health

Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies six novel loci associated with habitual coffee consumption

“…Findings from epidemiological studies of coffee consumption and certain health conditions remain controversial 2 . Knowledge of genetic factors contributing to coffee’s consumption and physiological effects may inform the design and interpretation of population and clinical research on coffee 5 .…”

“…North American coffee drinkers typically consume ~2 cups per day while the norm is at least 4 cups in many European countries 1 . In prospective cohort studies, coffee consumption is consistently associated with lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, liver disease and type 2 diabetes 2 . However, the effects of coffee on cancer development, cardiovascular and birth outcomes and other health conditions remain controversial 2 .…”

“…In prospective cohort studies, coffee consumption is consistently associated with lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, liver disease and type 2 diabetes 2 . However, the effects of coffee on cancer development, cardiovascular and birth outcomes and other health conditions remain controversial 2 . For most populations, coffee is the primary source of caffeine, a stimulant also present in other beverages, foods and medications 1, 3 .…”

Toward systems epidemiology of coffee and health

“…Although variation in the metabolism of other coffee constituents is unclear, their overall physiological effects will be modulated by those of caffeine (which we know are variable). As reviewed in detail elsewhere [3], over 30 gene-coffee interaction studies have been published to date. Genetic variants in Table 3 linked to higher coffee and caffeine intake have also been associated with smoking initiation and higher adiposity and fasting insulin and glucose, but with lower blood pressure (BP) and favorable lipid, inflammatory, and liver enzyme profiles in GWAS [67].…”

“…Although coffee is traditionally a beverage of Western countries, the demand for coffee is rising in other parts of the world [1,2]. Coffee consumption has previously been viewed as an unhealthy habit, but meta-analyses of epidemiological studies of coffee for over 30 health outcomes confirm few risk associations and even point to beneficial associations with certain conditions [3]. Coffee consumption has previously been viewed as an unhealthy habit, but meta-analyses of epidemiological studies of coffee for over 30 health outcomes confirm few risk associations and even point to beneficial associations with certain conditions [3].…”