Coffee drinkers are categorized into three type and our genes could help us explain why. There are two main genetic factors that determine how we respond to caffeine intake.
First, the liver can metabolize caffeine rapidly or slowly. While the second one is that our response depends on a genetic variation which increases the sensitivity of the central nervous system to the stimulating effects of caffeine.
Here are the 3 main types of coffee drinkers:
1. Low sensitivity to caffeine
These coffee drinkers are the fastest metabolizer of caffeine among the three groups. According to health professionals, these people should stay under the proposed limits and not go over four cups per day, or should only take the recommended daily caffeine intake of up to 400 mg of caffeine each day. Note that a usual cup of coffee contains about 75 to 100 mg of caffeine
2. High sensitivity to caffeine
These coffee drinkers have a highly sensitive nervous system and also have slow metabolism in the liver. The stimulation could be triggered even with small doses of caffeine. Those who belong in this category must avoid drinking coffee during the evening because it could potentially cause sleep disturbances.
3. Regular sensitivity to caffeine
Coffee drinkers in this category have struck a balance between caffeine inactivation in the liver and binding in the central nervous system. That means that they can drink two to five cups of coffee each day without experiencing any adverse effect or sleep disturbances. Caffeine intake during the evening is not actually recommended. However, individual differences prevail, as seen in most people.