Relation of Caffeine Intake to Blood Lipids in Elderly Women

Abstract

The relation of the consumption of caffeine from coffee, tea, and all caffeine-containing soft drinks (hereafter referred to as "cola") to blood lipid levels was studied in 1,035 white women ranging in age from 65 to 90 years (mean, 71.2 years) from October 1986 through October 1988. All study subjects were participants in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, clinic of the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Fasting blood samples were tested for total cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A-I and B-100, total high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and the HDL2 and HDL3 subfractions. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was calculated using the Friedewald equation. Current consumption of coffee, tea, and cola was assessed by means of a self-administered personal habits questionnaire. Potential confounders, such as body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2), waist/hip ratio, smoking status, and alcohol intake were also measured for each woman. Analyses of variance and tests for mean differences revealed an inverse relation between the consumption of tea and apolipoprotein B-100 and a positive association between the consumption of cola and apolipoprotein B-100. Apolipoprotein A-I levels were found to be positively related to coffee consumption and negatively related to tea consumption. There was no consistent relation between caffeine consumption and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total HDL cholesterol and its subfractions, or apolipoprotein B-100. Adjustment for potential confounders yielded no remaining significant associations between caffeine from any of the major beverage sources and any of the lipid fractions. In conclusion, the inconsistent relations between caffeine from various sources and blood lipids do not support a significant association of blood lipid levels with caffeine consumption in elderly women.

Cola intake and serum lipids in the Oslo Health Study

“…Inhibiting the inactivation of cyclic AMP should enhance adipose tissue lipolysis, because the cyclic nucleotide stimulates the hormone-sensitive lipase in adipose tissue, thereby promoting release of fatty acids that could be used for hepatic TG and VLDL synthesis. However, Carson et al (1993) found no consistent relation between caffeine consumption and serum lipids in elderly women. If caffeine in cola is a major factor in our findings, we would anticipate that adjusting for coffee intake should weaken the cola vs. lipid association.…”

“…High doses of caffeine stimulate fatty acid release from adipose tissue (Mayes 2000), thereby possibly promoting hepatic synthesis and release of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). However, Carson et al (1993) found no consistent relation between caffeine consumption and serum lipids in elderly women.…”

Association of serum caffeine concentrations with blood lipids in caffeine-drug users and nonusers – Results of German National Health Surveys from 1984 to 1999

“…One of the main findings in our study was that no associations were found between caffeine concentrations with total cholesterol and LDL-C levels either in caffeine-drug users or nonusers, which demonstrated directly and clearly that caffeine per se doesn't contribute to the cholesterol-raising effect of coffee. This finding was evidenced indirectly by studies of coffee consumption [21][22][23][24]. Two coffee ingredients, cafestol and kahweol, rich in unfiltered coffee, identified from coffee beans (making up 1% weight of coffee beans) were found to be responsible for the cholesterol-raising effect of coffee [11,12].…”

Coffee: A Selected Overview of Beneficial or Harmful Effects on the Cardiovascular System?

“…Carson et al also studied such an age relationship in a group of 1,035 elderly white women ranging in age from 65 to 90 and, after adjustments for interfering factors, found no significant association of total cholesterol, LDL-C, and HDL-C with caffeinated coffee. [55] Jee et al performed a meta-analysis using a Medline search of English-language literature before December 1998, discussions with experts, and a bibliographic review that resulted in the identification of 14 coffee-intake trials. [56] The result of their meta-analysis was an observation of a direct response relationship between coffee intake and total cholesterol as well as LDL-C (P<0.01).…”