A study from the Tel Aviv University’s Department of
Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology reveals that coffee and beer may
affect our genomes differently. Alcohol was found to lengthen and caffeine was
found to shorten telomeres in yeast that is genetically similar to humans.
Telomeres are located at the ends of DNA strands and are crucial to the correct
repairing and copying of DNA strands. The yeast cells were exposed to twelve
environmental stressors that did not affect telomere length, except for the
presence of ethanol and caffeine. In the presence of 5-7% ethanol solution, the
telomeres grew in length. In the presence of a small concentration of caffeine,
the telomeres decreased in length. Rap1 and Rif1 were the two genes identified
that were identified to play a role in environmental factors and telomere
length. There are about 400 genes that play a role in telomere length, most of
which are in humans. More work must be done to reveal if these factors will
have the same effects on humans. The identification of a relationship between
these environmental stressors and telomere length could lead to dietary
guidelines and treatments.
Another study of the effects of coffee consumption showed differing results. A study of
older adults found that those who drank coffee saw decreased risk of death from
diabetes, accidents, and injuries, respiratory disease, stroke, infections, and
heart disease. The risk of death was 10% lower in those who consumed three of
more cups a day than non- coffee drinkers.
Coffee or
beer? I found that the fact that the choice could affect our genomes to be
rather interesting. As the leader of the study stated, this is the first time
environmental factors that affect telomere length have been found. I did not
realize that the discovery of the relationship between coffee or beer
consumption and telomere length could be significant. Yet, it was brought to
light that the relationship could be used in medical treatment. I am curious to
see if the relationship will exist when the study is conducted for humans.
Primary Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131205142127.htm
Secondary Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120519071454.htm
This article was really relevant to my life because of both my addictions. However, I thought that telomeres do not lengthen, but instead just continually shorten throughout the cell cycle. This is interesting and I definitely will read up on telomeres microbiology.
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