Coffee

[Matthew Capowski]

This thread will be used to organize information about beloved coffee.

Information:

On coffee as a diuretic: http://www.sciencealert.com/does-coffee-actually-make-you-dehydrated

Tea, Coffee and Chocolate by Todd Caldecott: https://web.archive.org/web/20130819200724/http://urbandiner.ca/2011/04/27/tea-coffee-and-chocolate/

From an Ayurvedic perspective coffee is warm, light and dry in property and is helpful to balance kapha. It promotes stomach emptying and stimulates bile excretion, inhibiting appetite and promoting intestinal movement.

Coffee Consumption and Incident Tachyarrhythmias https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2782015

Neither habitual coffee consumption nor genetically mediated differences in caffeine metabolism was associated with a heightened risk of cardiac arrhythmias.

Consumption of a dark roast coffee blend reduces DNA damage in humans: results from a 4-week randomised controlled study https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-018-1863-2

Our results indicate that regular consumption of a dark roast coffee blend has a beneficial protective effect on human DNA integrity in both, men and women.

Impact of paper filtered coffee on oxidative DNA-damage: Results of a clinical trial https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0027510710002137

Overall, the results indicate that coffee consumption prevents endogenous formation of oxidative DNA-damage in human, this observation may be causally related to beneficial health effects of coffee seen in earlier studies.

Association of Coffee Intake With Survival in Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2770262

Coffee consumption may be associated with reduced risk of disease progression and death in patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. Further research is warranted to elucidate underlying biological mechanisms.

 

[Herb Forum Admin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574775195872772096

 

[Herb Forum Admin]

The impact of coffee subtypes on incident cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias, and mortality: long-term outcomes from the UK Biobank https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwac189

 

[Herb Forum Admin]

Paul Bergner wrote an excellent article about coffee: A New Look at an Old Devil

https://medherb.com/eletter/Caffea-Review-Bergner.pdf

 

[Herb Forum Admin]

Why Can Some People Drink Coffee at Night While Others Can’t? The Science of Caffeine Metabolism​

Ever wonder why your friend can down an espresso after dinner and sleep like a baby, while a 3 PM latte leaves you jittery and wide awake? It turns out the answer is written in our biology.

Recent research has shed light on how our genetics and age dictate our relationship with coffee. Here is a breakdown of why caffeine affects us all so differently:

The "Fast" vs. "Slow" Gene​

It all comes down to an enzyme in our liver called CYP1A2 (or P450 1A2), which is responsible for breaking down caffeine so it can be excreted in our urine. The general population is split right down the middle: about 50% of us are "fast" metabolizers, and 50% are "slow" metabolizers (although I've seen other indicators that slow metabolizers are a smaller percentage so I'm not totally sure here).

• Fast Metabolizers: These folks have a genetic variant that supercharges the CYP1A2 enzyme. They process caffeine rapidly, meaning they can tolerate a lot of coffee without any lingering negative effects.
• Slow Metabolizers: This group has a genetic variant that reduces the activity of the enzyme. Caffeine lingers in their system much longer, leading to the classic adverse effects like jitters, anxiety, and sleeplessness.

Fun Fact: The presence or absence of these specific genes even influences whether you actually like or dislike the flavor of coffee!

Hidden Health Impacts​

Being a slow metabolizer isn't just about feeling jittery; it can actually impact your long-term health if you drink too much.

Researchers looked at kidney health, blood pressure, and heart health, and in one study ( https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2800839 ) found a stark contrast:

• For Slow Metabolizers: Consuming more than 300 milligrams of caffeine a day (about 2-3 cups of coffee) was linked to a decline in kidney function, hypertension (high blood pressure), and an increased risk of heart attacks.
• For Fast Metabolizers: The results were surprising. Regardless of how much coffee they drank (none, some, or a lot) their kidney health markers stayed exactly the same. The speed of metabolism makes a massive difference in how toxic high doses of caffeine are to the body.

The Age Factor​

If you used to be able to drink pots of coffee in your twenties but can barely handle a cup now, you aren't imagining things. As we age, our livers naturally decrease the quantity and activity of enzymes, including CYP1A2.

One study found that adults between the ages of 65 and 70 needed 33% more time to metabolize the exact same amount of caffeine as younger people. If you've noticed a sudden onset of caffeine intolerance as you've gotten older, this biological slowdown is likely the culprit.

Do You Need a Genetic Test?​

While there is a genetic test that can tell you if you are a fast or slow metabolizer, it usually costs hundreds of dollars and isn't covered by insurance.

Fortunately, researchers say you probably don't need it. Studies show that humans are pretty good at self-regulating when it comes to coffee. We generally consume within our own tolerability, meaning if you're a slow metabolizer, you likely feel the negative effects and naturally cut back on your own.

 

[Herb Forum Admin]

The effect of caffeine on cognitive performance is influenced by CYP1A2 but not ADORA2A genotype, yet neither genotype affects exercise performance in healthy adults

The effect of caffeine on cognitive performance is influenced by CYP1A2 but not ADORA2A genotype, yet neither genotype affects exercise performance in healthy adults - PMC

To determine the influence of two commonly occurring genetic polymorphisms on exercise, cognitive performance, and caffeine metabolism, after caffeine ingestion. Eighteen adults received caffeine or placebo (3 mg kg−1) in a randomised crossover ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Conclusion: Caffeine enhanced CYP1A2 ‘fast’ metabolisers’ cognitive performance more than ‘slow’ metabolisers. No other between-genotype differences emerged for the effect of caffeine on exercise or cognitive performance, or metabolism.

 

[Herb Forum Admin]

CYP1A2 genotype modifies the association between coffee intake and the risk of hypertension

CYP1A2 genotype modifies the association between coffee intake and the risk of hypertension - PubMed

These data show that the risk of hypertension associated with coffee intake varies according to CYP1A2 genotype. Carriers of slow *1F allele are at increased risk and should thus abstain from coffee, whereas individuals with *1A/*1A genotype can safely drink coffee.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Conclusion: These data show that the risk of hypertension associated with coffee intake varies according to CYP1A2 genotype. Carriers of slow *1F allele are at increased risk and should thus abstain from coffee, whereas individuals with *1A/*1A genotype can safely drink coffee.

 

[Herb Forum Admin]

Coffee, CYP1A2 genotype and risk of myocardial infarction

Coffee, CYP1A2 genotype and risk of myocardial infarction - PMC

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The protective effects observed among rapid metabolizers suggest that the efficient elimination of caffeine might have unmasked the protective effects of other chemicals in coffee. Compounds in coffee such as caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid have antioxidant properties that might protect against heart disease [4]. In summary, intake of coffee was associated with an increased risk of MI only among those with impaired caffeine metabolism, suggesting that caffeine plays a major role in this association.

 

[Herb Forum Admin]

Long-term coffee consumption, caffeine metabolism genetics, and risk of cardiovascular disease: a prospective analysis of up to 347,077 individuals and 8368 cases

Long-term coffee consumption, caffeine metabolism genetics, and risk of cardiovascular disease: a prospective analysis of up to 347,077 individuals and 8368 cases

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed stimulants worldwide and is generally considered to be safe or even beneficial for health. However, increase…

www.sciencedirect.com

Results: The association between habitual coffee intake and CVD risk was nonlinear, and, compared with participants drinking 1–2 cups/day, the risk of CVD was elevated for nondrinkers, drinkers of decaffeinated coffee, and those who reported drinking >6 cups/day (increase in odds by 11%, 7%, and 22%, respectively, P-curvature = 0.013). CYP1A2 genotype and caffeine-GS were not associated with CVD (P ≥ 0.22 for all comparisons). There was no evidence for an interaction between the CYP1A2 genotype or caffeine-GS and coffee intake with respect to risk of CVD (P ≥ 0.53).