A gene sequence may be the answer to the debated topic whether coffee is healthful or harmful for your heart. Those with the sequence on gene CYP1A2*1F are not able to remove the caffeine quickly from their body while those with the sequence CYP1A2*1A are rapid metabolizers of caffeine.
A study found that those who were rapid metabolizers of caffeine found drinking up to 4 cups of coffee a day was potentially protective for your heart while the slow metabolizers had no or potentially harmful effects on their heart. The ‘rapid metabolizers’ are able to remove caffeine quickly from their system to expose the healthful effects of coffee such as caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid which have antioxidant properties.
This means if you are a ‘slow metabolizer’ sticking with 2 cups of jo a day is best to protect your heart from potential damage while for the ‘rapid metabolizers’ are welcome to enjoy the health benefits which come from up to 4 cups of coffee.
This gives light to the importance of nutrigenomics and the role it can play in influencing your diet to maximize your health and prevention of disease.
Reference:
El-Sohemy, A., Cornelis, M. C., Kabagambe, E. K., & Campos, H. (2007). Coffee, CYP1A2 genotype and risk of myocardial infarction. Genes & nutrition, 2(1), 155–156. doi:10.1007/s12263-007-0043-4
