DNA and coffee link revealed by latest research
PLoS Genetics has just discovered that our caffeine consumption may be linked to our genetic makeup, our DNA, in a recent study. Many of us had previously assumed that we automatically feel the desire for a caffeine fix when we are tired and need a boost. There is also much discussion about coffee drinking habits which determine our behaviour. This new research indicates that other, less controllable factors, may be at work.
Why did PLoS Genetics come up with this proposition? What did their study reveal? Reports suggest that there are two particular genes which seem to be linked to increased coffee consumption – that is to say that those people with these genes, drink more coffee.
One of the senior investigators in the research project admitted that they already knew that caffeine had ‘an inherited component,’ but this particular study has identified the genes involved. These findings will be beneficial in future research into how caffeine affects our bodies and health. Now that scientists can pinpoint the ‘caffeine genes’ any future studies will be able to hone in on these genes to ‘jumpstart’ the research.
It is significant to learn from the study that 90% of adults consume caffeine on a regular basis. And what is the caffeine choice of these American adults? Their overwhelming choice of caffeine product was to drink coffee.
Perhaps someone making an educated guess as to the caffeine fix of choice, may also have come to a similar conclusion.