The Familiar Drink Named a Helper in the Fight Against Inflammation 0 11

Scientists have found that regular coffee may participate in suppressing inflammatory processes in the body. A new study shows that brewed coffee and some of its components can affect the protein receptor NR4A1, which is involved in regulating the cells' response to stress and inflammation. The work is published in Nutrients.

Previously, epidemiological studies linked coffee consumption to lower mortality and a reduced risk of age-related diseases; however, the molecular mechanisms behind this effect remained not fully understood. The new work partially explains how the components of the drink may influence the body.

Researchers studied how coffee and its main compounds interact with the NR4A1 receptor. The experiments analyzed substances characteristic of coffee beans, including caffeic, ferulic, and chlorogenic acids, as well as p-coumaric acid, kahweol, and cafestol. The results showed that these compounds can bind to NR4A1 and change the activity of cellular processes dependent on this receptor.

The authors note that NR4A1 plays an important role in the body's response to stress and inflammation. When the activity of this receptor changes, it can affect the functioning of genes and proteins associated with inflammatory processes. Different substances acted differently in this regard. The main polyphenols in coffee demonstrated pronounced interaction with the receptor, while caffeine and quinic acid exhibited weaker and more variable activity.