Scientists from the University of Toronto discovered something cool about coffee and our kidneys.
Starting with a Thought
These scientists wondered if drinking lots of coffee could be hard on our kidneys. They found out it doesn’t affect everyone the same way. It’s all about a tiny thing in our bodies called genes.
Imagine genes as little books in our bodies that tell it how to work. One gene, called CYP1A2, helps our body deal with caffeine, which is in coffee.
Some of us have a super-fast version of this gene, like a speedy race car. They can drink lots of coffee and be just fine.
Others have a slower version, like a snail. If they drink too much coffee, their kidneys might not be happy.
How Much is Too Much?
What’s too much coffee? Scientists think it’s about three cups every day. If you’re a grown-up, four cups might be okay.
Amazingly, half of the people on Earth have the race car gene, and half have the snail gene. It’s split right down the middle!
Now, there’s a test to find out if you’re a race car or a snail. Knowing can help decide how much coffee is okay.
Learning and Caring
It’s always good to learn about our bodies. This study helps us see that everyone is different. What’s good for one person might not be for another.
Next time you drink coffee, wonder: am I a speedy race car or a careful snail?
Our kidneys are very important. They clean our blood. Let’s take care of them by eating right, moving a lot, and drinking water.
Also, always check medicines to make sure they’re kidney-friendly.
Other scientists are working on ways to keep our kidneys safe. Some foods might help, and there are new medicines on the horizon.
The main scientist behind this study was Ahmed El-Sohemy. They wrote about their discovery in a big book called JAMA Network Open.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about a drug that prevents kidney failure in diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce the risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent the recurrence of kidney stones, and common painkillers may harm the heart, kidneys, and more.
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