NEW YORK, May 12: A recent study suggests that the levels of caffeine in your blood could impact your body fat and, in turn, affect your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

The findings, published in March 2023, come from a study that used genetic markers to draw a more definitive link between caffeine levels, body mass index (BMI), and the risk of type 2 diabetes. The research, conducted by teams from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, the University of Bristol, and Imperial College London, indicates that calorie-free caffeinated drinks might help reduce body fat.

The researchers noted, "Genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with lower BMI and whole body fat mass." They also found that higher caffeine concentrations were linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Notably, approximately half of the caffeine's effect on diabetes risk was attributed to the reduction in BMI.

For the study, data from nearly 10,000 individuals were gathered from existing genetic databases. The focus was on variations in specific genes, such as CYP1A2 and AHR, that affect the rate at which caffeine is metabolized. People with certain variations in these genes tend to break down caffeine more slowly, keeping it in their bloodstream longer, although they tend to consume less caffeine overall.

Using a technique called Mendelian randomization, the researchers explored the potential causal relationships between caffeine levels, BMI, diabetes risk, and lifestyle factors. While the study confirmed a link between caffeine levels, BMI, and diabetes, no significant connection was found between blood caffeine levels and cardiovascular diseases like atrial fibrillation, heart failure, or stroke.

Previous studies have already suggested that moderate caffeine consumption is linked to improved heart health and lower BMI, and this research provides further evidence of the positive effects of coffee on the body. However, the researchers emphasized that the effects of caffeine are not entirely beneficial, and caution is advised when considering the pros and cons of caffeine consumption.

The study's authors noted, "Small, short-term trials have shown that caffeine intake results in weight and fat mass reduction, but the long-term effects of caffeine intake are unknown." They added that even modest metabolic effects from the global consumption of caffeine could have important health implications.

The team suspects that caffeine’s impact may be related to its ability to increase thermogenesis (heat production) and fat oxidation (turning fat into energy), both of which are crucial for metabolism. However, while this study involved a large sample, the researchers acknowledge that Mendelian randomization is not infallible, and other unknown factors may be influencing the results.

To verify the findings, the researchers called for further studies, particularly randomized controlled trials, to assess whether non-caloric caffeinated beverages could help reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Benjamin Woolf, a genetic epidemiologist from the University of Bristol, concluded, "Randomized controlled trials are warranted to assess whether non-caloric caffeine-containing beverages might play a role in reducing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes."