3 ms·

Instant Coffee Is Negatively Associated with Telomere Length

13 points by lnyan 3y ago

simonmesmith 3y ago
Based on UK Biobank data and self-reports. Possible reason is: “The mineral lead in instant coffee was more abundant than that in other coffee types, and long-term consumption of instant coffee may result in excessive lead. Additional substances added to commercial instant coffee, such as creamer and flavoring agents, might partially explain the negative effect.” Additives aren’t accounted for here.
- chaimanmeow 3y ago
  I think this along with what pfannkuchen suggested both may contribute to this unexpected result. In addition, instant coffee tends to be made from much lower quality beans; lower quality beans tend to be used in darker roasts and seem like they would have higher acrylamide content. In addition, the additional heating step the instant coffee goes through might also further elevate acrylamide. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/acrylamide-fact-sheet https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/d... I think it would be useful to test and compare amount of acrylamide in instant coffee versus the typical medium roast coffees, in addition to seeing whether this substance affects telomeres.
pfannkuchen 3y ago
Instant coffee likely also correlates with working at night and not having very much money. I wonder if they properly controlled for those factors?
niux 3y ago
Summary: The study investigated the association between coffee consumption and telomere length using data from the UK Biobank. Observational analyses found that coffee intake and instant coffee intake were negatively correlated with telomere length, while filtered coffee showed no significant correlation. Mendelian randomization analyses supported these findings, showing that instant coffee had a causal relationship with shorter telomere length. The type of coffee appears to play an important role, with instant coffee potentially shortening telomere length due to added substances like creamer and flavorings. Further research is needed to validate these results and clarify the potential mechanisms involved. In summary, instant coffee in particular may reduce telomere length, an indicator of biological aging.

13 points by lnyan 3y ago

Based on UK Biobank data and self-reports. Possible reason is: “The mineral lead in instant coffee was more abundant than that in other coffee types, and long-term consumption of instant coffee may result in excessive lead. Additional substances added to commercial instant coffee, such as creamer and flavoring agents, might partially explain the negative effect.” Additives aren’t accounted for here.

chaimanmeow 3y ago
I think this along with what pfannkuchen suggested both may contribute to this unexpected result. In addition, instant coffee tends to be made from much lower quality beans; lower quality beans tend to be used in darker roasts and seem like they would have higher acrylamide content. In addition, the additional heating step the instant coffee goes through might also further elevate acrylamide. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/acrylamide-fact-sheet https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/d... I think it would be useful to test and compare amount of acrylamide in instant coffee versus the typical medium roast coffees, in addition to seeing whether this substance affects telomeres.

pfannkuchen 3y ago

Instant coffee likely also correlates with working at night and not having very much money. I wonder if they properly controlled for those factors?

niux 3y ago

Summary: The study investigated the association between coffee consumption and telomere length using data from the UK Biobank. Observational analyses found that coffee intake and instant coffee intake were negatively correlated with telomere length, while filtered coffee showed no significant correlation. Mendelian randomization analyses supported these findings, showing that instant coffee had a causal relationship with shorter telomere length. The type of coffee appears to play an important role, with instant coffee potentially shortening telomere length due to added substances like creamer and flavorings. Further research is needed to validate these results and clarify the potential mechanisms involved. In summary, instant coffee in particular may reduce telomere length, an indicator of biological aging.