The benefits of coffee They have been studied for many years. One of those that have long been in the crosshairs of scientists is the reduced levels of body fat and, with it, the prevention of obesity and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Now, a new study supports that data with a different approach.
So far it was about observational studies. In other words, there was no intervention on the part of the researchers, since the only thing that was done was to follow the evolution of a group of people for a while and compare various parameters with their coffee consumption. The problem with this type of study is that, at most, a correlation can be found, but not a causality. That is, it is known that there is a relationship, but the reasons are unknown.
The prevention of diabetes is indicated as one of the benefits of coffee, but there is no certainty. That’s why, the study now being published in BMJ Medicine is a new point in favor, since it adds a different methodology to the equation: the mendelian randomization. But let’s see what this means.
From the harm to the benefits of coffee
For a long time, it was thought that coffee could cause cardiovascular diseases for its caffeine levels. Furthermore, there was a time when it was classified as carcinogenic. However, this information was later denied, since it was found that the relationship between cancer and coffee consumption could be more related to the high temperature at which some people drink the drink or its consumption along with other habits, such as tobacco. .
Over time, however, many benefits of coffee have begun to be studied, from the possible prevention of some types of cancer to the protection against cardiovascular attacks. Quite the opposite of what was believed at the time.
A certain relationship was also found with the decreased levels of body fat and all the benefits that come with it. And this is where this new study comes into play.
Less obesity and prevention of diabetes
Observational studies already pointed to the same thing as the study just published. But this one works with Mendelian randomization, so it’s closer to finding a causality.
Mendelian randomization consists of measuring the variation in genes of known function to examine the causes of a risk factor. In this case, for example, the selected genes were CYP1A2 and AHR. They are known because they determine the speed at which our body is capable of process caffeine. Certain variants of these genes make it slower for us to process it, so it stays in our bodies longer and we don’t need to drink a lot of coffee. Others, on the other hand, make us process it so quickly that we hardly notice the effects and we must take many to stay awake and active.
With the first, although it is processed more slowly and you don’t have to drink as much, the immediate effect is that the caffeine remains in the body for longer. That is why they wanted to study these variants. Thus, it was seen that, of the 10,000 people studiedthose who had this slow-processing variant tended to have lower levels of body fat and a lower tendency to type 2 diabetes. Therefore, this time a direct correlation was being found with the permanence of caffeine in the blood, it was not just a simple fluke.
Still, experts warn that this does not mean that coffee is a magic potion to prevent diabetes. Not that it will help reduce glucose levels in those who have already been diagnosed with the disease. We simply have one more sample that this precious drink does much more than wake us up in the morning. It can also help us, along with other measures, to have a healthier life.