Drinking coffee is only healthy if the caffeine gene is working | Life & Knowledge

Coffee is an indispensable part of our everyday lives! But not everyone can tolerate the stimulant. The caffeine gene is to blame for this. If it is defective, caffeine can affect sleep, mental health and fertility. If the gene is intact, however, it can reduce the risk of cancer.

That's what Dr. Daniel Wallerstorfer says. The molecular biologist founded the health tech company NovoDaily. He explains: “There is no general recommendation for the amount of coffee we should drink. Whether we can tolerate caffeine is in our genes.”

Antioxidants: Coffee protects our health!

Wallerstorfer continues: “Coffee has clear benefits for our health. Hardly any other food contains so many protective antioxidants.” These substances fight harmful waste products from our metabolism and can even reduce the risk of breast cancer.

What if the coffee gene is defective?

Some people can drink coffee after dinner and sleep peacefullyOthers are still energized from their morning espresso when they go to bed. The reason? Genes!

► In 41 percent of the population, both copies of the CYP1A2 gene are functioning. These are the people who can sleep even after a cup of coffee in the evening. The genes control the breakdown of caffeine completely normally.

► 43 percent have one functioning gene and one defective gene. This group should not drink coffee in the evening. The stimulant is broken down more slowly.

► Then there are 16 percent in whom both copies are defective. These people feel the stimulating effect of the drink particularly strongly and for a particularly long time. The active ingredient also has enough time to develop harmful effects.

What can happen with coffee intolerance

Caffeine can almost quadruple the risk of heart attack in young people with high blood pressure! “In addition to the energizing effect, various studies also provide evidence that excessive consumption of the substance reduces life expectancy by 21 percent,” warns Dr. Wallerstorfer. Other health risks are posed by too much coffee without the corresponding gene:

▶︎ Insomnia, headache and incontinence and in rare cases even miscarriages.

▶︎ Collagen loss in the skin or osteoporosis.

Is coffee healthy or not?

Only a genetic analysis can show whether the caffeine gene is intact. If there is a defect, it is better to drink decaffeinated. Dr. Wallerstorfer: “We rely on DNA and blood analyses for individual health optimization.”

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