A recent report explores the pro- or anti-inflammatory effects of caffeine to gain a better understanding of the potential effects of coffee consumption on inflammation. While anti-inflammatory effects of caffeine have been reported previously, contradictory effects are also known. A better understand of the effect of caffeine and coffee consumption was needed, as many types of chronic diseases are inherently linked to inflammation.
Gerner et al. recently explored ex vivo and in vivo experiments and analyzed the results comprehensively. They were able to show that there is a potential inflammation-promoting effect of coffee and caffeine in healthy adults. Drinking coffee is a daily part of many people’s lives; include those that live with chronic diseases. Therefore obtaining a greater understanding is warranted.
The research provides new insights, through the study of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and by the assessment of individual immune cell states. The researchers were able to rule out age, sex, and the kinetics of caffeine metabolism as determining factors associated with the individual response to caffeine. The implication that in individual cases coffee may promote inflammation could be important for people suffering from inflammation-related diseases.
