What you can learn: In this article, you will learn how our genetic make-up affects not only ours caffeine metabolism.
Caffeine is the most popular psychoactive substance worldwide, with more than 120,000 tons consumed annually. Caffeine is a natural alkaloid that is widely known as one of the main components of coffee. It is a mild stimulant that stimulates the entire nervous system and the heart, and also acts as a weak diuretic - it accelerates the excretion of urine. It has a psychological effect (excitement, restlessness, feelings of well-being) and also a physiological effect (increased vigilance and concentration, less fatigue, support of metabolism, increase in blood pressure). Moderate caffeine consumption can protect against cirrhosis of the liver and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
CAFFEINE METABOLISM
Did you know? Voltaire allegedly drank up to 50 cups of coffee a day and, despite his doctor's warnings, lived to be a beautiful 83 years old. Similarly, American President T. Roosevelt, who drank up to a gallon of coffee a day. How is it possible?
Caffeine is metabolized in the liver by an enzyme called CYP1A2. This enzyme is responsible for up to 95 percent of the entire metabolism of caffeine, so it is not surprising that a mutation of the CYP1A2 gene has a significant effect on the activity of the enzyme and consequently on the metabolism of caffeine. People with one or two mutated copies of the CYP1A2 gene metabolize caffeine more slowly and, as a result, feel a greater effect when consuming coffee. However, this is not as favorable as it might seem, because these people's blood pressure increases more after consuming coffee than people with fast metabolism of caffeine. Scientists have proven in many studies that people with a slower metabolism of caffeine are more sensitive to the development of health problems associated with increased blood pressure, they suffer more from insomnia.
COFFEE SUBSTITUTES
A cup of coffee contains about 200 mg of caffeine, a cup of tea about 80 mg of theine, and "cocacola" from about 40 to 70 mg of caffeine. Caffeine is absorbed into the blood approximately 5 minutes after consuming coffee. The final effect is visible after only 30 minutes and lasts for several hours. If drinking coffee is a ritual for you, you can replace it with appropriate coffee substitutes, for example roasted barley coffee, which does not contain caffeine. Teas are a good alternative. After consuming black tea, the stimulating feeling comes later, it is weaker but lasts longer than after consuming coffee. In addition, green tea usually contains more antioxidants and vitamins than regular coffee.
What you could learn: We have different metabolisms of caffeine. There are people who metabolize caffeine more slowly, and these people will have more blood pressure after consuming coffee than people who metabolize caffeine quickly. Scientists have proven in many studies that people with a slower metabolism of caffeine are more sensitive to the development of health problems associated with increased blood pressure. For this reason, we recommend that they adjust their daily dose of caffeine accordingly, according to the genetic results. A cup of coffee a day is believed to be suitable for all people and does not seem to have a negative effect on health.
You will find out more from your DNA analysis
How your genetic makeup and caffeine metabolism will affect your levels HDL cholesterol, which is the so-called good cholesterol, which protects you from cardiovascular disease. How exactly does it affect how you feel satiety and hunger. How it helps or hurts yours sleep cycle. What is your recommended daily allowance of coffee based on your genetic results and many other useful information.
Related breakdowns from analysis
Caffeine is among the four main metabolic characteristics (alcohol, caffeine, lactose and gluten) that we monitor in our analysis. From the DNA analysis, you can learn about the effect of caffeine on you. In it you will find advice, recommendations and links to other analyses:
Caffeine metabolism, Satiety and hunger, Sleep cycle, HDL (good) cholesterol, Insulin sensitivity and others.
References used:
Cornelis et al. (2006). JAMA 295(10): 1135-1141
Heni et al. (2010). BMC Med Genet. 11:86
Katzenberg et al. (1998). 21(6): 569-576
Palatini et al. (2009). J Hypertens 27(8): 1594-1601
Sachs et al. (1999). Br J Clin Pharmacol. 47(4):445-44
