Many people around the world start their day with a cup of coffee in the morning.
It is one of the most popular drinks, often used to start the day or to maintain energy during work or study.
But not everyone’s body processes coffee the same way. Some people can drink a lot and feel fine. Others become jittery or have trouble sleeping after just one cup. Scientists have tried to understand why this happens.
A team from the University of Toronto, led by researcher Ahmed El-Sohemy, investigated how our genes influence the way we process caffeine, the main active ingredient in coffee. Caffeine is a natural substance that makes you feel more awake and alert.
But once it enters your body, your system must break it down and remove it. That task mainly falls on your liver, and how quickly that happens depends on your genes.
Genes are like little instruction books in your body. They tell your body how to make proteins that do all kinds of important work. One of these genes is called CYP1A2 and helps your liver break down caffeine.
Some people have a version of this gene that works quickly, so these people can drink three or four cups of coffee a day without much problem. Their bodies remove the caffeine quickly so it doesn’t build up and cause problems.
But others have a slower version of this gene. It takes longer for their bodies to break down caffeine. For them, drinking too much coffee can be taxing on their system, especially the kidneys.
The kidneys are organs that help filter your blood. They remove waste and extra fluid and help balance the chemicals in your body. If your body is slow to process caffeine, drinking too much coffee can put extra strain on your kidneys. That’s why scientists often say that three cups of coffee a day is a safe amount for most people.
This research is shared in the medical journal JAMA network openedcould help more people understand how their bodies function. It also opens the door to learning more about how our genes influence how we respond to food, drinks and even medications.
