Researchers from the National Institutes of Health reported that Asian women who
Researchers from the National Institutes of Health reported that Asian women who consume 200 milligrams of more of caffeine a day have higher estrogen levels than Asian women who do not consume caffeine. However, this effect was not observed in white women, and instead estrogen levels appeared to decrease. Among African American women, caffeine’s effect was inconclusive.
In the study, 250 women between the ages of 18 and 34-years-old, who drank caffeinated drinks, like soda, coffee, green tea, and black tea, were enrolled and their estrogen levels were monitored over time. On average, the women consumed 90 milligrams of caffeine a day, approximately one cup of regular coffee.
Throughout the duration of the study, the women attended the study clinic for observation and testing for up to two months. They would report what they had eaten in the last 24 hours and record their exercise, sleep, smoking and other lifestyle activities. Reproductive hormone levels were also measured.
In conclusion, estrogen levels were observed to increase the most in Asian women who consumed caffeine, compared to other racial groups. In addition, soda and green tea appeared to cause the highest increase in estrogen levels among all women.
Estrogen is a female reproductive hormone produced by the ovaries. In women, estrogen circulates through the body in blood and binds to estrogen receptors on targeted tissues cells. Estrogen affects the breasts, uterus, brain, bone, liver, and heart.
Estrogen controls the growth of the uterine lining during the first part of a female’s menstrual cycle. However, the estrogen level changes did not appear to influence menstruation patterns. In animal model studies, caffeine was shown to potentially interfere with ovulation.
This study was a relatively short project, capturing immediate effects of caffeine consumption. Long term effects of caffeine consumption were not reported.
Does that mean we crazy bitches?