Emily Chan
The data from 23andMe revealed a relationship between the genetic variants associated with higher coffee intake and various psychiatric conditions, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The opposite was true for the U.K. data.
The differences in data could be attributed to the way the surveys were conducted. The questions that were asked in the 23andMe and U.K. Biobank surveys were not the same, which might have affected the results.
In addition, the researchers did not take the type of coffee or preparation of coffee into account. According to Thorpe, instant coffee is preferred in the U.K.
In contrast, ground coffee is favored in the U.S. Other caffeinated beverages, such as tea, were not considered, which could have impacted the results, especially for the U.K. population.
Although these findings may be skewed, the research highlights a complex relationship between DNA, coffee habits, and the potential health impacts of coffee.
It also serves as a reminder of the importance of considering cultural and environmental differences when it comes to studying genetics and behavior.
The study was published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.
