Caffeine Linked To Estrogen Changes In Asian Women, NIH Study

Asian women who consumed roughly two cups of coffee a day had elevated estrogen levels when compared to women who consumed less, a study has found.

AsianScientist (Jan. 3, 2012) – Asian women who consumed an average of 200 milligrams or more of caffeine a day – the equivalent of roughly two cups of coffee – had elevated estrogen levels when compared to women who consumed less, a study has found.

The study, published online in the latest issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was carried out at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other institutions between 2005 and 2007.

On average, the 250 women aged 18 to 44 years who participated in the study consumed 90 milligrams of caffeine a day – roughly one cup of caffeinated coffee – from sources such as coffee, black tea, green tea, and caffeinated soda.

Consuming 200 milligrams or more of caffeine was associated with elevated estrogen levels in Asians, lower estrogen levels in whites, and statistically insignificant results in blacks. However, consumption of more than one cup each day of caffeinated soda or green tea was associated with a higher estrogen level in Asians, whites, and blacks.

“The results indicate that caffeine consumption among women of child-bearing age influences estrogen levels,” said Dr. Enrique Schisterman of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), an author on the study.

Over the short term, variations in estrogen levels among different groups did not appear to affect ovulation, Dr. Schisterman said.

He noted, however, that long term variations in estrogen levels are associated with disorders such as endometriosis, osteoporosis, and cancers of the endometrium, breast, and ovary.

The article can be found at: Schliep KC et al. (2012) Caffeinated beverage intake and reproductive hormones among premenopausal women in the BioCycle Study.

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Source: NICHD.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

Anusuya Das received a Ph.D. in Biological Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, and a B.A. in Bioelectrical/Cellular-Molecular Engineering from Arizona State University, USA. Anusuya is currently a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Virginia, USA.

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