Coffee is the subject of some controversy in the health field. People often get conflicting advice regarding the consumption of this drink. While we are sometimes advised against drinking coffee, research has also shown that coffee has many potential health benefits. For example, the antioxidants in coffee are believed to reduce inflammation and fight free radicals. Recently, new research has highlighted a possible link between coffee and its role in reducing the risk of certain diseases. According to a study published in the journal BMJ Medicine on 14 March 2023, calorie-free caffeinated beverages may reduce body weight and type 2 diabetes. however, further research is needed.
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The study was carried out by researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden, Imperial College London, the University of Bristol and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. They used a statistical technique called Mendelian randomization, which studies cause and effect using genetic evidence. For this study, researchers looked at 10,000 people (mainly of European descent) with genetic traits that are associated with the speed at which caffeine is metabolized in the body.
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key takeaways:
Does this study prove that drinking more coffee will help with weight loss and reduce the risk of diabetes? No. It simply found that about half of the reduction in type 2 diabetes risk was driven by weight loss. Caffeine may help burn fat, boost metabolism and decrease appetite, which may play a role in this condition. Dr. Dipendra Gill, one of the study’s senior authors, noted that “people should use these results to guide their dietary preferences prior to further clinical studies.”
People with specific genetic traits metabolize caffeine more slowly and usually drink less coffee. But they have higher levels of caffeine in their blood. Researchers found that such people were at risk of low body mass index, body fat mass and type 2 diabetes. The study states that, in the past, observational studies have indicated that coffee consumption (3-5 cups per day) may be associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, long-term studies are needed to investigate this further.
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Dr Stephen Lawrence, an associate clinical professor at the University of Warwick’s medical school, said Mendelian evaluation was a “relatively new technique” and was “sensitive to bias”, The Guardian reported. The authors of the study themselves acknowledge that their findings may not apply to non-European populations, as the study was primarily limited to people of European descent.
Click here to read the full study.
About Toshita SawhneyToshita is inspired by the play of words, wanderlust, awe and alliteration. When she’s not blissfully thinking about her next meal, she enjoys reading novels and walking around town.
