Coffee: Why is it that some people drink well and others have irregular heartbeats?

The answer is that each person’s sensitivity to caffeine is different SBS of Australia.

Some people only drink a little coffee and feel their heart beat faster, anxious and awake all night, while others drink at midnight and still sleep soundly. Shutterstock

What is caffeine sensitivity?

Sensitivity to caffeine is determined by how efficiently the body processes and metabolizes caffeine.

Gabrielle Mason, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Australian Association of Dietitians, explains that genetics lead to different people’s responses to caffeine and the different effects coffee has on the body. body.

“Caffeine sensitivity varies from person to person,” says Mason. So not everyone can drink the same amount of coffee and have the same impact.”

Due to different genetics

According to genetic analysis by GenePlanet, Europe’s leading center for care health Based on genetic testing, about 95% of caffeine is metabolized in the liver through an enzyme called CYP1A2, which is regulated by the CYP1A2 gene.

Everyone’s sensitivity to caffeine is different. Therefore, not everyone can consume the same amount of coffee and experience the same effects.

Therefore, the difference in the DNA of each person will create a difference in the rate of caffeine metabolism. People with more than one C variant in the gene will be more sensitive to coffee and will be more affected.

Meanwhile, people with 2 copies of a gene in variant A are more tolerant to caffeine.

Research from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health (USA) also shows that genetic differences lead to differences in coffee processing, metabolism and addiction in individuals.

Research published in 2014 looked at about 100,000 people and found six gene variants that account for differences in coffee drinking habits and the effects of caffeine. the coffee to the health of each person, according to SBS.

Each person should know his or her caffeine sensitivity to avoid side effects such as irritability, nervousness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and diarrhea. Shutterstock

Due to different receptors in the brain

Maston adds that caffeine sensitivity is also regulated by receptors in the brain. Caffeine crosses the blood-brain barrier and affects adenosine receptors in the brain.

People who lack adenosine receptors may not experience caffeine-induced insomnia like others, because the receptors are less responsive and the caffeine molecules cannot bind to the receptors.

That’s why there are people who have just taken a sip of coffee and feel nervous or shaken while others drink six to seven cups of coffee and are fine, Mason added. SBS.

Should people who are sensitive to caffeine be worried?

Mason emphasizes that caffeine sensitivity is not a disease. It doesn’t matter that one person is sensitive to caffeine while another is not – it’s just that one can drink a lot, one can drink little.

However, each person should be aware of their own caffeine sensitivity so as not to experience side effects such as irritability, nervousness, anxiety, trouble sleeping and diarrhea. SBS.

So how much coffee should you drink?

Consumption level caffeine optimal depending on how sensitive you are to caffeine.

There are 3 levels of caffeine sensitivity: over-sensitive, normal-sensitive, and less-sensitive to caffeine.

Most people have normal sensitivities, says Mason. So most people should drink 300-400 milligrams of caffeine per day or less, which equates to about 3-4 cups of instant coffee or 1-2 cups of brewed coffee per day.

The key message is to use caffeine in moderation. And remember to only drink coffee with less sugar or preferably no sugar, according to SBS.