For some, coffee is a vital pick-me-up that no day can start without. For others, it triggers anxiety, heart palpitations, and sleepless nights. The cause, of course, is caffeine. Coffee experts have now revealed that you can maximize the benefits of coffee while avoiding the downsides. It turns out that differing reactions to coffee lies in our DNA. Caffeine can linger in the body for anywhere from 90 minutes to 9 hours, depending on how quickly the liver breaks it down. Scientists have discovered that the gene CYP1A2 controls how quickly the liver processes caffeine. Experts say the type of bean used to make the coffee impacts the amount of caffeine it contains. There are two coffee beans used by the vast majority of producers – arabica and robusta. Arabica has 40% more caffeine than robusta. Aside from choosing the right bean, experts say stay away from cold brew, as it’s the most caffeine-heavy coffee there is. To avoid all of the issues associated with coffee, there’s always decaf. Decaffeinated coffee is usually created by soaking fresh coffee beans in hot water. Since caffeine is water-soluble, this process removes about 97% of the stimulant, but the rest of the ingredients remain. While staunch coffee drinkers will likely miss the “buzz,” it’s important to remember that the jitters that normally accompany switching to decaf are temporary.
