Researchers from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and UCSD investigated whether our coffee consumption is influenced by genetics or environment. Utilizing a genome-wide association study (GWAS) that combined genetic data and self-reported coffee consumption, they compared findings from the 23andMe database in the U.S. and the UK Biobank. The study, led by postdoctoral researcher Hayley Thorpe, found that genetic variants inherited from parents do influence coffee intake. Published in Neuropsychopharmacology, the research revealed positive genetic associations between coffee consumption and health issues like obesity and substance use. However, the data showed contrasting genetic correlations with psychiatric conditions like anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression between the U.S. and U.K. populations. The study suggests that cultural differences, such as the preference for tea over coffee, might explain these discrepancies. While the findings contribute to understanding coffee's impact on health, further research is needed to explore the relationship between coffee, substance use, and health across different environments.
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