Coffee consumption linked to leaner body composition and sex-specific hormone patterns

A new Finnish study has found that frequent coffee consumption is linked to a slimmer body shape and distinct relationships with sex hormones. Researchers from the University of Oulu analyzed data from 2,264 adults aged 46 in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. Despite similar body mass indexes (BMI), those who drank more coffee tended to have lower overall and abdominal fat, as well as higher muscle mass.

Higher coffee intake was also associated with reduced levels of branched-chain amino acids, which have been tied to insulin resistance and increased risk of type 2 diabetes when chronically elevated. The most notable sex-specific associations were observed in men, who had better glucose-insulin regulation, higher total and available testosterone, and increased sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

In women, the hormonal connections were less pronounced, primarily reflected in higher SHBG and lower free androgen levels. While the findings suggest that hormonal pathways may play a role in the connection between coffee intake and metabolic health, the study could not establish cause-and-effect relationships due to its observational nature.

This research is particularly relevant in Finland, where coffee consumption is among the highest globally, averaging around 11.8 kilograms per person annually. The study provides a basis for future research to determine whether coffee directly causes these biological changes and to identify the specific compounds responsible. Further studies, including animal models and potential human interventions, are needed to confirm these findings and inform any dietary recommendations.