Scientists from the University of Oulu in Finland studied the link between coffee consumption and metabolism, heart function markers, and sex hormone levels. The study included data from 2,264 individuals aged 46. The authors compared the participants’ coffee consumption habits with various health indicators at a single point in time.
Individuals who drank more coffee tended to have lower fat mass and higher skeletal muscle mass, even though their body mass index (BMI) remained generally similar. The findings were published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
Among men, higher coffee consumption was linked to more favorable glucose and insulin levels. They also exhibited higher levels of total and bioavailable testosterone, as well as sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)—a protein that transports sex hormones in the blood.
The associations observed in women were less pronounced. Higher coffee intake was linked to elevated levels of sex hormone-binding globulin and lower androgen availability (testosterone is one of the hormones in this group).
Additionally, coffee drinkers had lower levels of branched-chain amino acids in their blood. Elevated levels of these substances have previously been linked to poor metabolic health, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and an increased risk of high blood pressure. The authors note that observational data cannot establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
The researchers believe that coffee’s impact on metabolism may involve hormonal mechanisms, particularly in men. However, the drink’s effects can also be influenced by roasting and brewing methods, the amount consumed, genetic factors, and lifestyle. Further, longer-term studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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