Research: High levels of caffeine in the blood reduce the risk of diabetes and obesity

Coffee
Photo: Pexels

A higher level of caffeine in the blood reduces the risk of diabetes and obesity, according to the latest research conducted by a team of researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

The team led by Susan Larson concluded that high levels of caffeine in the blood can reduce a person's body fat and risk of type 2 diabetes, which is linked to aging and certain lifestyle habits. "Science alert".

The authors of the research point out that controlled clinical trials, which are very expensive and complex to perform, have not been conducted to determine causality, that is, the influence of caffeine on the development of diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

The scientists used a new method, known as Mendelian randomization (a controlled clinical trial), which uses genetic variation with a known function to estimate the causal effect of risk factors.

In this case, they analyzed the CIP1A2 and AHR genes, which determine the speed with which our body processes caffeine, in a sample of 10.000 people.

People with genetic variants that cause caffeine to stay in the blood longer tend to drink less coffee because they feel stimulated longer, but have higher concentrations of caffeine in their blood plasma.

However, the observed effect is not large enough by itself to consider drinking coffee to prevent diabetes.

Using this approach, which tries to separate the effect of caffeine in the blood on obesity or diabetes from other factors related to coffee consumption, it was observed that people with genetic variants that slow down the processing of caffeine and favor its greater presence in the blood they had a lower body mass index and a lower percentage of fat.

The main reason for reducing the risk of diabetes, to which 43 percent of the effect is attributed, is weight loss, caused, among other things, by its ability to accelerate metabolism and reduce appetite.

The authors of the study, published in the journal BMJ Medicine, believe that, given their results, it would be interesting to conduct randomized trials to see if caffeinated, calorie-free drinks can play a role in reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes. type 2.

As noted, the research results are consistent with the results of many observational studies that have been looking at the link between coffee consumption and a lower risk of diabetes for decades.

Back in 2018, Larson published a text in which he estimated that with each cup of caffeinated coffee drunk per day, the risk of developing diabetes decreases by seven percent.

Another study conducted by scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017 calculated that three coffees a day reduced premature mortality by between eight and 18 percent.

However, it added, despite the many positive results, these studies do not provide solid evidence for this.

Specifically, the WHO listed coffee as a possible carcinogen in 1991 and reversed the decision years later when it was discovered that the higher incidence of cancer among coffee farmers could be explained by other related habits, such as the cigarette that sometimes goes with coffee.

The research was published in "BMJ Medicine".

Dear reader,

Our access to web content is free, because we believe in equality in information, regardless of whether someone can pay or not. Therefore, in order to continue our work, we ask for the support of our community of readers by financially supporting the Free Press. Become a member of Sloboden Pechat to help the facilities that will enable us to deliver long-term and quality information and TOGETHER let's ensure a free and independent voice that will ALWAYS BE ON THE PEOPLE'S SIDE.

SUPPORT A FREE PRESS.
WITH AN INITIAL AMOUNT OF 60 DENARS

Video of the day