Coffee Doesn't Increase or Decrease Disease Risk

When it comes to coffee, studies on its health benefits - or risks - have historically showed incredibly varied results.

Some research suggests that coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, while other studies indicate that the popular beverage is linked to the development of disease.

A new study from the University of Copenhagen, however, suggests that genes may play a role when it comes to coffee consumption habits - and that drinking coffee doesn't increase or decrease risk for conditions like obesity and diabetes.

"We are the first in the world to have investigated the relationship with genes associated with a lifelong high consumption of coffee," said medical student and researcher Ask Tybjaeg Nordestgaard. "These genes are completely independent of other lifestyle factors, and we can therefore conclude that drinking coffee in itself is not associated with lifestyle diseases."

'Special' coffee genes

After looking at DNA from 93,000 people involved in the Copenhagen General Population Study, researchers concluded that people who have "special coffee genes" may be more prone to drink coffee than people who don't have those genes.

"We can now see that the coffee genes are surprisingly not associated with a risk of developing type 2 diabetes or obesity," said Boerge Nordestgaard, clinical professor at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

While coffee consumption may not be directly harmful to people with diabetes, it can interfere with the ability to maintain steady blood sugar levels, as it can suppress appetite and influence hormones.

Source: University of Copenhagen