Caffeine in Your Blood May Aid in Fat Reduction and Diabetes Management, According to Recent Research Findings.
Caffeine Levels and Body Fat: A New Connection
Get ready to brew up some exciting news! Researchers from the Karolinska Institute, University of Bristol, and Imperial College London have uncovered an intriguing link between caffeine and body fat levels. Their study, published in March 2023, suggests that increased caffeine levels could potentially be associated with lower body mass index (BMI) and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
The researchers used genetic markers, particularly variations near genes such as CYP1A2 and AHR that influence caffeine metabolism, to create a stronger connection between caffeine levels, body fat, BMI, and type 2 diabetes risk. People with genetic variants that slow down caffeine metabolism often have higher caffeine levels in their bloodstream due to consuming less caffeine overall.
According to their findings, genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with lower BMI and total body fat mass. Moreover, these higher caffeine levels were linked to a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. Approximately half of the effect of caffeine on type 2 diabetes risk is thought to be due to the reduction in BMI.
"Our study suggests that caffeine might, at least in part, explain the inverse association between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes risk," write the researchers. While they acknowledge the limitations, such as the use of only two genetic variants and the inclusion of only people of European ancestry, their findings are in line with existing knowledge about caffeine's effects.
Caffeine is known for boosting metabolism, increasing fat burning, and decreasing appetite. A daily intake of 100 mg of caffeine could potentially boost your energy expenditure by around 100 calories, which could lower the risk of obesity.
The researchers also propose that their findings may explain the inverse association between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes risk. They encourage further studies in the form of randomized controlled trials to assess the potential role of non-caloric caffeine-containing beverages in reducing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
So, grab that cup of joe and toast to a potential new way to manage body fat and diabetes risk!
[1] Study can be found in BMJ Medicine in March 2023.
- The study published in BMJ Medicine in March 2023 reveals a potential connection between increased caffeine levels and lower body mass index (BMI), as well as a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Researchers from prominent institutions, including the Karolinska Institute, University of Bristol, and Imperial College London, used genetic markers to create a stronger connection between caffeine levels, body fat, BMI, and type 2 diabetes risk.
- According to their findings, genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with lower BMI and total body fat mass, linking these higher caffeine levels to a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.
- While the researchers acknowledge certain limitations, such as the use of only two genetic variants and the inclusion of only people of European ancestry, the findings align with existing knowledge about caffeine's impacts on health and wellness.
- The study suggests that caffeine may, at least in part, explain the inverse association between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes risk, thus potentially serving as a tool for managing body fat and diabetes risk.
- The researchers encourage further medical-conditions and fitness-and-exercise studies in the form of randomized controlled trials to assess the potential role of non-caloric caffeine-containing beverages in reducing the risk of obesity and chronic-diseases like type 2 diabetes.
