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Caffeine and alcohol – Friends or foes of human iron stores?
There is clear evidence that lifestyle factors affect iron bioavailability. However, information regarding the effect of alcohol and caffeine consumption on iron metabolism is limited. A study evaluated the effect of caffeine and alcohol consumption on iron metabolism in healthy men, regarding their everyday physical activity level.
The study enrolled 83 men (59 physically active and 24 sedentary men) aged 18-32 years. Fasting blood samples were collected. Levels of ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, hepcidin, hemojuvelin, and C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were determined. Level of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Caffeine and alcohol intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. The relationship between caffeine intake and levels of serum ferritin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, hepcidin, hemojuvelin, and hsCRP were evaluated.
Physically active men (but not sedentary men) who consumed alcohol in excess presented higher ferritin levels when compared to moderate drinkers and abstainers. Heavy drinkers presented the highest hepcidin levels when compared to both abstainers and moderate drinkers. However, moderate drinkers showed significantly lower hsCRP levels when compared to heavy drinkers and abstainers drinkers. Greater caffeine intake was generally associated with greater serum hepcidin levels, with the strongest effect on moderate drinkers. A significant influence of caffeine intake on hsCRP was shown for physically active men but not for sedentary men – greater caffeine intake was connected with higher hsCRP levels for participants who drank alcohol.
Based on the presented results it can be assumed that high caffeine consumption may lead to suppression of iron bioavailability through increased inflammation. Furthermore, physical activity and moderate alcohol consumption seemed to benefit reduction of inflammatory response, at least as represented by hsCRP levels, the authors state.
Source: Inga Dziembowska, Małgorzata Wójcik, Ewa Żekanowska, Caffeine and alcohol – Friends or foes of human iron stores? Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Volume 71, 2022,126922, ISSN 0946-672X, doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.126922
The study enrolled 83 men (59 physically active and 24 sedentary men) aged 18-32 years. Fasting blood samples were collected. Levels of ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, hepcidin, hemojuvelin, and C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were determined. Level of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Caffeine and alcohol intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. The relationship between caffeine intake and levels of serum ferritin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, hepcidin, hemojuvelin, and hsCRP were evaluated.
Physically active men (but not sedentary men) who consumed alcohol in excess presented higher ferritin levels when compared to moderate drinkers and abstainers. Heavy drinkers presented the highest hepcidin levels when compared to both abstainers and moderate drinkers. However, moderate drinkers showed significantly lower hsCRP levels when compared to heavy drinkers and abstainers drinkers. Greater caffeine intake was generally associated with greater serum hepcidin levels, with the strongest effect on moderate drinkers. A significant influence of caffeine intake on hsCRP was shown for physically active men but not for sedentary men – greater caffeine intake was connected with higher hsCRP levels for participants who drank alcohol.
Based on the presented results it can be assumed that high caffeine consumption may lead to suppression of iron bioavailability through increased inflammation. Furthermore, physical activity and moderate alcohol consumption seemed to benefit reduction of inflammatory response, at least as represented by hsCRP levels, the authors state.
Source: Inga Dziembowska, Małgorzata Wójcik, Ewa Żekanowska, Caffeine and alcohol – Friends or foes of human iron stores? Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Volume 71, 2022,126922, ISSN 0946-672X, doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.126922
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