It is one of the most consumed drinks in the world. Coffee, taken for pleasure, taste, ritual or for its psychostimulant effect, never ceases to defy medicine. For decades, it was suspected of being harmful, especially on the cardiovascular level. It is now largely rehabilitated, after having benefited from a multitude of scientific analyses. And it is even constantly attributed new antidiabetic virtues, according to an important study published in March 2023 in the British Medical Journal. We take stock.
Less diabetes
“Regarding the effects against diabetes, many more or less rigorous studies have highlighted that coffee consumers have a lower risk of diabetes than those who do not consume it, explains Professor Boris Hansel, head of the nutrition unit. -health at Bichat Hospital, director of the university YouTube channel Pums (For better health). An experiment dating back to 1968 first showed that when healthy volunteers were made to drink coffee, blood sugar levels rose less compared to those who did not drink coffee. »
But the subject is actually much more complex, because this study did not take into account an essential data: sensitivity to coffee, which varies according to the individual. Indeed, it has now been proven that about half of the population eliminates coffee slowly – and therefore keeps a high level of caffeine in the blood for a long time – when the other half evacuates it quickly (and therefore drinks more of it). A difference in elimination speed which is due to variations in two genes CYP1A2 and AHR.
This generic factor has been taken into account in this new study, conducted in Sweden and involving 10,000 people. And the results of this study are clear. “People who are theoretically most exposed for genetic reasons to high levels of caffeine for a long time have a reduced risk of becoming diabetic”, summarizes Professor Hansel.
An impact on weight
But the study does not stop there and also addresses the impact of coffee on weight: again, those who eliminate caffeine slowly are also thinner than those with lower levels of caffeine in the blood. Being thin is in itself a protective factor against diabetes.
No risk of heart attack
The third part of this work finally looked at the effects of coffee on the risk of heart attack, heart rhythm disorders and stroke. No increased risk of cardiovascular disease has been demonstrated in coffee drinkers, regardless of their genetic characteristics. “Coffee, in too large quantities, can possibly cause palpitations in sensitive people, but does not appear to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, adds Professor Boris Hansel. Coffee consumers know their personal sensitivity and are careful not to exceed certain quantities. »
A protective effect against cancer?
In 1991, the WHO had included coffee in the list of possible carcinogens, before changing its mind in the 2000s. The finer analysis of the data made it possible to see that the risk of cancer was increased but only in those who associated coffee and cigarettes, and this because of tobacco and not coffee! Incriminated for a time as a risk factor for pancreatic cancer, this association has also been invalidated. Moreover, among the hundreds of different molecules contained in coffee, there are antioxidants whose protective effect against cancer is possible.
Pretty good for memory
Finally, according to experimental research carried out on mice and published last year by the team of David Blum, from Inserm in Lille (Nord), caffeine could improve learning and memory capacities by modifying the functioning molecular structure of hippocampal cells, the seat of memory in the brain. A phase 3 study was launched in 2021 to assess the effect of caffeine on the cognitive functions of patients with early forms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Finally, how many cups of coffee can you drink each day? A moderate daily consumption of coffee, between three and five cups, seems perfectly acceptable.
2023-04-24 05:03:42
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