It is becoming clear that individual differences existing in the human genome affect not only constitution and disease but also eating habits.

 For example, for coffee, which has been reported to have various health effects such as lipid metabolism improving action, in recent years, a region on the genome related to coffee intake has been searched for in Westerners.However, it is said that the distribution of individual differences in the human genome varies greatly depending on the region, and there is a possibility that the Japanese population may be associated with coffee intake in regions different from those of the Western population, so it is awaited to clarify this. Was there.

 Hisanori Kato, a specially appointed professor at the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the University of Tokyo, has collaborated with GeneQuest Co., Ltd., Japan's first large-scale gene analysis company for consumers, to create the genome of approximately 1 Japanese people. As a result of analyzing the information and the Web questionnaire information, we found a locus peculiar to East Asians that is significantly related to the frequency of coffee consumption.

 In addition to the 7p7 region on human chromosome 21, which has been identified in the Western population, the 12q12 region on human chromosome 24 has also been shown to be involved in coffee intake frequency in the Japanese population.Further analysis of this sitting position revealed that there was a gender difference in the association between the 12q24 region and coffee intake, with males having a stronger correlation than females.

 Comparing BMI, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HbA2c levels in two regions of the human genome related to coffee intake, BMI and triglyceride were found in the group that tended to consume more coffee. It is said to be significantly lower.Since the results of this research clarified the relationship between coffee intake and the genome in the Japanese population, it is expected to contribute to the elucidation of the physiological mechanism of the health-promoting effect of coffee.

Paper information:[BMC Genetics] GWAS of habitual coffee consumption reveals a sex difference in the genetic effect of the 12q24 locus in Japanese populations

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The University of Tokyo was established in 1877 (Meiji 10) by integrating the Tokyo Kaisei School and the Tokyo Medical School.Since its establishment, it has developed education and research in a unique way in the world as a leading university in Japan and an academic center for the fusion of East and West cultures.As a result, many human resources have been produced in a wide range of fields, and many research achievements […]

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