A study from the University of Oulu in Finland, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, suggests that regular coffee intake is linked to distinct physical and hormonal benefits beyond quick energy.
Analyzing data from over 2,200 46-year-old participants, researchers found several key metabolic advantages among coffee drinkers:
- Better Body Composition: High coffee consumers had less total and abdominal fat, along with greater skeletal muscle mass—even when comparing individuals with identical BMIs.
- Lower Diabetes Markers: Habitual intake was tied to lower levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), compounds linked to insulin resistance when elevated.
- Hormonal Shifts:
- Men: Showed improved glucose-insulin profiles, higher total and bioavailable testosterone, and elevated sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).
- Women: Showed increased SHBG levels and a decrease in free androgens.
While the study highlights a strong correlation between coffee and metabolic health, researchers emphasize it was observational and does not prove direct causation. Further trials are currently underway to identify the specific compounds responsible.
Source: Science Daily
