We Now Have Even More Proof That Coffee Cravings Are Genetic

Thanks, mom!
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Turns out the siren call of Starbucks may not be the only thing that fuels a coffee craving. Your parents probably have something to do with it, too.

Thanks to a recent study, researchers now have even more evidence that our ability to sustain a coffee “buzz” ― as well as our desire to drink coffee in general ― comes from genetics.

A team of experts from Scotland, Italy and the Netherlands recently analyzed the coffee-drinking habits of more than 1,200 people in seven Italian towns. They found that people who had a DNA variation in one particular gene called PDSS2 drank about one less cup of coffee per day than those without the gene variation.

To confirm their findings, the researchers surveyed a group of subjects in the Netherlands and saw similar results: People with the PDSS2 gene variation consumed less coffee over the course of a typical day than those without.

The researchers say this likely means the PDSS2 gene works with our metabolism to affect how much of a caffeine boost we feel from every cup, giving some of us stronger coffee cravings than others.

This new study echoes previous research that has shown people prefer different amounts of coffee based on their genetic makeup. Many gene variants have suggested connections with coffee consumption, and researchers need to conduct more studies to reach a definite conclusion about the PDSS2 gene specifically, said Nicola Pirastu, one of the study’s authors and a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, in a statement.

What we do know for sure is that coffee is delicious. It can also help decrease stress, protect against disease and boost liver health. Cheers to a cup of joe!

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