Coffee linked to metabolic health and sex hormones in new study
Study links coffee consumption to metabolic health and sex hormones
A study from the University of Oulu reveals that coffee consumption is associated with metabolic health and sex hormone levels. The findings suggest that regular coffee intake may influence hormone regulation and metabolic processes, offering potential insights into how this popular beverage affects overall health. The research adds to growing evidence on coffee's role in metabolic and endocrine function.
The study links coffee consumption to metabolic health and sex hormones.
- zetazzed
I'm a good target market for pro-coffee writing, but this is just an observational study of a drinks habit. No one in the general public should have any interest in studies of this kind.
Maybe if you're deep in working in this research space it could help generate hypotheses for more meaningful research? But "we cross sectionally compared two groups with different behaviors and found they were different" is not really a result.
- al_borland
The endless articles about studies that are pro-coffee make me highly skeptical. They all feel like advertising by the coffee industry to help coffee addicts feel good about their habit instead of feeling like they should cut back.
- eiriklv
High SHBG and lower free hormones isn't a good thing usually. Starving and anorexia (as an example) can make your SHBG levels skyrocket, resulting in low free hormone levels.
- throwaway2037
Here is the original study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-026-04038-z
Weirdly, I cannot copy text from that page. What am I doing wrong?
Regardless, here is the result summary:
> Higher coffee intake groups showed lower total and visceral fat and higher skeletal muscle mass, while BMI was comparable across groups. Inverse correlations were observed between coffee intake and circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in both sexes. In men, higher coffee intake correlated with a more favourable glucose-insulin profile. Multivariable-adjusted models revealed a distinct hormonal pattern: positive associations with total testosterone (β = +0.29 nmol/L per cup/day), bioavailable testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), alongside inverse associations with free testosterone and the free androgen index (FAI). In women, hormonal associations were more limited, with positive associations for SHBG and inverse associations for free testosterone and FAI.
This part: "positive associations with total testosterone (β = +0.29 nmol/L per cup/day)". For testosterone, 1 nmol/L ≈ 28.8 ng/dL. So: +0.29 nmol/L ≈ +8.4 ng/dL per additional cup/day.
Really, this will have no meaningful impact on your health. It is widely discussed by TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) doctors that supplements that can increase your total test by 100ng/dL will have no meaningful impact. Literally, you need to drink 12 cups of coffee per day to get a ~100ng/dL improvement […]
- mawadev
I have to say, initially coffee is good, but over time it chips away your sleep, your rest and then you kind of lose it. I have periods where I purposely decondition my body and brain from coffee just to reap the benefits again without all the longterm downsides. As always, it is about balance and moderation. I hope this helps you.