Coffee and Health: The Powers of Caffeine (For Better or Worse)

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Science already attributes several virtues to coffee, and by extension, to caffeine. Consumed in moderation, this drink reduces the risk of developing heart disease and even protects the brain from certain forms of dementia. In March 2023, researchers from the Karolinska Institute (Solna, Sweden), the British universities of Bristol and Imperial College London looked at another aspect. Its effects on metabolism.

Their study, published in BMJ Journals revealed that caffeine would have a determining influence on the fat mass of our body while protecting it from a serious chronic condition: diabetes.

Black magic works in our cells

By analyzing genetic variations in nearly 10,000 people, scientists focused on two genes in particular: CYP1A2 and AHR. The former is responsible for breaking down drugs and caffeine in our bodies, while the latter regulates their activity. Since we don't all have the same genes, our ability to metabolize certain substances can vary.

So, these genetic variations create a rather interesting paradox: some people, because of their genetic profile, metabolize caffeine more slowly. As a result, the molecule stays in their blood longer and their body therefore metabolizes it more gradually. Nature has endowed these same people with a natural tendency to drink less coffee, as if their body intuitively regulated their consumption. Which means that our DNA can therefore influence not only our physiology, but also our choices and habits.

Behind the scenes of our metabolism

Once ingested, caffeine triggers a series of reactions in our body. First, it stimulates thermogenesis, a biological process by which our bodies produce heat. This heat is essential for maintaining our body temperature at an optimal level, usually around 37°C. At the same time, caffeine encourages the body to use stored fat as fuel, almost like firing up an internal furnace that burns fat to produce heat and energy.

In their investigation, the researchers found that ” high concentrations of caffeine in blood plasma are associated with significant reductions in BMI and body fat mass “. In other words, a high concentration of caffeine appears to promote a decrease in the proportion of fat in the body, which can help give you a slimmer figure by reducing your Body Mass Index (weight in kg divided by height in meters squared, a quick indicator of a person's body size).

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Diabetes and caffeine: protective virtues?

Another surprising finding from the study: The researchers were able to establish a link between caffeine consumption and type 2 diabetes. People who naturally have higher levels of caffeine in their blood due to their genetics have a lower risk of developing this chronic condition.

About 50% of this protective effect is explained by caffeine's action on body weight. In other words, caffeine helps prevent diabetes, in part because it helps maintain a lower BMI. The other half of the protective effect may involve other mechanisms that researchers have not yet identified.

However, scientists are tempering their enthusiasm. While several short-term studies confirm the effect of caffeine on weight reduction and fat mass, its long-term effects remain a gray area. On the other hand, in the short term, excessive consumption can cause various inconveniences, well-documented side effects.

The latter can disrupt our nights by delaying falling asleep, which ultimately reduces the quality of sleep. By stimulating the central nervous system, it can also accelerate the heart rate, increase the heart rate and make us more nervous. Its effects on the digestive system if consumed in excess are not exactly pleasant either: stomach irritation, heartburn, nausea or indigestion.

This study is based on a robust methodology: Mendelian randomization. A scientific method that uses genetic variations to study the cause-and-effect relationships between different factors, such as between a gene and a disease. However, the researchers also call for caution; further studies are still needed to confirm these causal relationships and untangle the complex set of factors at play in this equation. However, to keep your morning cup of coffee a pleasure, don't overdo it !

• A new genetic study has highlighted the positive impact of caffeine on metabolism, which reduces BMI and fat mass.
• It also reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, partly due to its effect on regulating body weight.
• Excessive consumption can, however, lead to short-term adverse effects, such as sleep disorders and digestive discomfort.

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