Lookout for your coffee gene!
September 18th, 2011 - 2:28 pm ICT by IANSSydney, Sep 18 (IANS) Coffee and your genes have a strong connection - a particular gene could be playing a role in your liking for coffee, new research says.
A small genetic variant explains why some people consume coffee by the mugfuls and why others won’t drink it at all, said Enda Byrne from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR).
QIMR along with the Erasmus University Medical Centre in the Netherlands isolated the coffee gene from across the entire human genome of over 18,000 participants.
“Our study found coffee consumption is not only influenced by genes, but caffeine can also affect the expression of genes,” Byrne said, according to a Queensland statement.
“We also found a link between caffeine genes and other complex conditions, such as hypertension and Parkinson’s disease.
“Our study showed there were changes in the expression of genes previously linked to Parkinson’s disease after exposure to caffeine. This follows previous studies that have shown caffeine to be protective against Parkinson’s disease.
“While this finding relates directly to coffee consumption, it provides another small piece of the puzzle and could lead to further discoveries around the effect of caffeine on a range of complex disorders,” concluded Byrne.
- Increasing coffee intake 'doubles stroke risk' - Dec 12, 2010
- Genetic variants linked to caffeine intake discovered - Apr 07, 2011
- Extra cup of coffee can double stroke risk - Dec 12, 2010
- Blame your genes for your addiction to coffee - Apr 09, 2011
- How complex genetic variations determine our height - Jun 21, 2010
- Novel molecular pathway underlying Parkinson's disease identified - Sep 14, 2010
- Factor X in coffee boosts protection against Alzheimer's - Jun 30, 2011
- Twins help Oz researchers find genes for blindness - Sep 13, 2010
- Endometrial cancer gene identified - Apr 18, 2011
- Coffee lowers risk of dying - May 17, 2012
- Regular soda intake spikes stroke risk - Apr 22, 2012
- Brain's response to stress can predict dementia - Nov 10, 2011
- Coffee linked to reduced liver fibrosis - Jan 06, 2010
- Coffee lowers risk of prostate cancer: Study - May 21, 2011
- Caffeine contributes to development, poor control of diabetes? - Apr 08, 2011
Tags: coffee consumption, discoveries, erasmus university, expression, genes, genetic variant, human genome, hypertension, liking, lookout, netherlands, participants, piece of the puzzle, qimr, queensland institute of medical research, sydney, university medical centre