Caffeine’s Benefits Go BEYOND the Buzz
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted March 23, 2024
Over 60 percent of American adults drink coffee daily—enjoying the caffeine-induced energy boost to jumpstart their day.
However, caffeine’s benefits don’t end with that temporary jolt of alertness.
It has other potential payoffs, including reducing diabetes risk and body fat.
Now, new research reveals those benefits can vary from person to person… and the surprising reason WHY.
In an exciting new study, researchers used genetics to determine how different rates of caffeine metabolism can influence factors like our body fat percentage and type 2 diabetes risk.
The study focused on gene variations that affect how quickly the body can break down and remove caffeine.
It turns out that folks with differences in their CYP1A2 and AHR genes process caffeine more slowly. This means caffeine stays active in their bloodstream for LONGER.
Those who are slow caffeine metabolizers tend to naturally drink fewer caffeinated drinks. If they overindulge, they typically get caffeine-induced jitters.
But here’s where the study gets REALLY interesting.
Slow caffeine metabolizers who drank caffeinated drinks had an almost 30 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Additionally, this group had lower body mass index (BMI) measurements and a lower overall body fat percentage.
When caffeine lingers in the bloodstream longer, it enhances fat-burning and glucose metabolism over time.
Does that mean you should supercharge your coffee routine if you’re a fast metabolizer to get the same benefits? Probably not.
The side effects of drinking too much coffee—including insomnia, headaches, and jitteriness—make overindulging a bad idea.
Most healthy adults can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine daily or about four cups of home-brewed coffee.
Remember, if you’re a fast metabolizer, you can STILL reap plenty of rewards from your reasonable coffee consumption. In fact, this new study confirms previous research that found coffee and caffeine have health benefits for many folks.
When consumed in moderation as part of a healthy lifestyle your beloved cup of Joe is a healthy habit, regardless if you metabolize the caffeine in it fast or slow.
P.S. Don’t make THIS coffee mistake. (It packs ON pounds!)
Source:
Larsson SC, Woolf B, Gill D, “Appraisal of the causal effect of plasma caffeine on adiposity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease: two sample mendelian randomisation study,” BMJ Medicine 2023;2:e000335. doi: 10.1136/bmjmed-2022-000335
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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