The Epigenetic Effects of Coffee

In this review, we discuss the recent knowledge regarding the epigenetic effects of coffee extract and the three essential active ingredients in coffee (caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid). As a popular beverage, coffee has many active ingredients which have a variety of biological functions such as insulin sensitization, improvement of sugar metabolism, antidiabetic properties, and liver protection. However, recent researches have shown that coffee is not only beneficial for human, but also bad, which may be due to its complex components. Studies suggest that coffee extract and its components can potentially impact gene expression via alteration of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and ncRNA expression; thus, exert long lasting impacts on the epigenome. More importantly, coffee consumption during pregnancy has been linked to multiple negative effects on offspring due to epigenetic modifications; on the other hand, it has also been linked to improvements in many diseases, including cancer. Therefore, understanding more about the epigenetic effects associated with coffee components is crucial to finding ways for improving human health.

Automated summary

This review discusses the epigenetic effects of coffee extract and its three essential active ingredients (caffeine, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid). Coffee, as a popular beverage, contains active ingredients with various biological functions such as insulin sensitization, improvement of sugar metabolism, antidiabetic properties, and liver protection. However, recent studies have shown that coffee can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on human health due to its complex components. It has been found that coffee extract and its components can potentially influence gene expression through epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and ncRNA expression, which can have long-lasting impacts on the epigenome. Importantly, the consumption of coffee during pregnancy has been associated with negative effects on offspring due to epigenetic modifications, while it has also been linked to improvements in various diseases, including cancer. Therefore, understanding the epigenetic effects associated with coffee components is crucial for improving human health.