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.
View More Free Articles
The Dieting Mistake That’s Harming Your Health
You don’t need me to tell you that being overweight has health consequences. But if you jump from one diet to another in pursuit of weight loss… well, you should rethink that tactic. A new report suggests that this common practice—yo-yo dieting—could harm your health. In fact, it could be doing FAR more harm than...
“Time Travel” Technique Predicts Dementia 20 Years EARLY?
Did you ever watch those old time-travel movies when you were a kid? I sure did—and I loved to daydream about being able to see the future. Well, now a new international study may have just uncovered a way for us to experience something similar. It’s probably not quite how you imagined it as a...
Are Your Ears Giving You a Hidden Warning?
Do you struggle to follow conversations in crowded restaurants? Or do you find yourself repeatedly asking, “What?” at big family gatherings like Thanksgiving? Most people brush this off as a normal part of aging. But groundbreaking research suggests this common problem could be an early WARNING SIGN of something far more serious… A massive study...
Liver Brain Link Will Have You Rethinking Memory Loss
Here’s something that might surprise you… Your liver could be secretly sabotaging your brain health. We know that what happens in the liver doesn’t always stay in the liver. But now, groundbreaking research reveals just how deeply this vital organ’s health is connected to a critical aspect of aging… your memory and thinking skills. Scientists...
Nature’s Pharmacy Knocks Out Long COVID Symptoms
I’ve had many people ask me about Long COVID recently. It’s a big concern because it’s affecting more survivors than you might think. If you’re one of them—before you resign yourself to a life of lingering symptoms—there’s hope on the horizon… And it comes straight from Mother Nature herself. Recent data paints a sobering picture....
11 Hacks to Beat the Winter Blues
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us find ourselves battling more than just the cold weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during fall and winter, affects millions each year. While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts say that seasonal changes disrupt our body’s circadian...
Mailbag: Halt Hair Loss Naturally
“I take a lot of vitamins, but my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I am 85 years old, but don’t have any major health problems that I know of.” – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Hi Hair Today, I understand your concern about hair loss. Few things make us feel older than our years, quite...
5 Fall Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System
It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat… Or a little sniffle or sneeze—and before you know it, you’re knocked down for the count. Cold and flu season has arrived. If you’ve managed to escape these sneaky little viruses so far, let’s try to keep it that way. Because, let’s be honest,...
Common Chemicals Could Be Sabotaging Your Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping? Many of us blame common causes like afternoon coffee or evening screen time. But what if the real culprit is something you’d never expect—lurking right in your home? New research points to troubling evidence about how everyday chemicals could sabotage your shut-eye… Scientists have uncovered an alarming link between common...
The Forgotten Berry Your Bones Are Craving
Strawberries and blueberries rank first and second as America’s favorite berries. And, of course, cranberries shoot to the top of the list around this time of year. But there’s another underrated berry we should be giving a second look. Especially if you’re a senior concerned about your bone health. Because new research reveals this unassuming...