Recent research highlights a potential connection between high blood caffeine levels, body fat reduction, and a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, as published in BMJ Medicine.
This intriguing possibility suggests exploring the role of calorie-free caffeinated drinks in mitigating obesity and type 2 diabetes risks.
A Closer Look at Caffeine’s Impacts
Earlier studies have indicated a link between consuming 3-5 cups of coffee daily and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. An average coffee cup provides around 70-150 mg of caffeine.
However, much of the existing research is observational, making it challenging to establish causal relationships and separate the specific impacts of caffeine from other compounds present in caffeinated foods and drinks.
To navigate these challenges, researchers employed Mendelian randomization, a method that utilizes genetic variants as proxies (in this instance, blood caffeine levels) to acquire genetic evidence supporting specific outcomes (such as weight and type 2 diabetes risk).
Examining Genetics and Caffeine Metabolism
The investigation centered on the role of two prevalent genetic variants of the CYP1A2 and AHR genes in almost 10,000 participants, primarily of European descent, across six long-term studies.
These particular genes correlate with caffeine metabolism speed in the body.
Individuals with genetic variants linked to slower caffeine metabolism typically consume less coffee but maintain higher blood caffeine levels than those who metabolize it quickly, aiming to attain or maintain the levels needed for its stimulant effects.
The findings revealed that higher genetically predicted blood caffeine levels correlated with reduced weight and body fat. Furthermore, these higher caffeine levels were also linked to a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Unraveling Caffeine’s Influence on Weight Loss and Diabetes
Continuing their exploration using Mendelian randomization, researchers sought to understand the degree to which caffeine’s impact on type 2 diabetes risk might be primarily attributed to concurrent weight loss.
Approximately 43% of caffeine’s effect on type 2 diabetes risk was driven by weight loss, as per the findings.
However, the researchers did not identify robust associations between genetically predicted blood caffeine levels and the risk of the cardiovascular disease outcomes studied.
Despite the insightful findings, the researchers point out several limitations, including employing only two genetic variants and focusing exclusively on participants of European ancestry.
Caffeine as a Metabolic Booster
Caffeine is recognized for its ability to enhance metabolism, amplify fat burning, and suppress appetite.
A daily intake of 100 mg of caffeine is estimated to elevate energy expenditure by roughly 100 calories daily, potentially reducing obesity risk.
The researchers assert, “Our Mendelian randomization finding suggests that caffeine might, at least in part, explain the inverse association between coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes.”
Conclusively, randomized controlled trials are now deemed necessary to determine whether non-caloric caffeine-containing beverages might play a role in reducing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, marking an important step in our ongoing exploration of dietary impacts on health and disease.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, and what you need to know about avocado and type 2 diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about 5 dangerous signs you have diabetes-related eye disease, and results showing why pomegranate is super fruit for people with diabetes.
The research findings can be found in BMJ Medicine.
Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
