Researchers at Texas A&M published a study in Nutrients that looks for biological reasons why coffee links to better health. They focus on a receptor called NR4A1, a nuclear receptor that responds to stress and tissue damage and that the team calls a nutrient sensor.
In laboratory tests the researchers tried many coffee compounds. Several polyhydroxy and polyphenolic compounds, such as caffeic acid, bound to NR4A1 and lowered cell damage and slowed cancer cell growth. When scientists removed NR4A1 from cells, those effects disappeared. Caffeine bound the receptor but showed little effect, which may explain why regular and decaffeinated coffee have similar health links. The team is now exploring synthetic compounds to target NR4A1 for possible treatments.
Difficult words
- receptor — a protein on or in cells that receives signals
- compound — a substance made of two or more partscompounds
- cell — the smallest unit of living organismscells
- tissue — a group of similar cells in a body
- bind — to connect to something chemically or physicallybound
- polyphenolic — a plant molecule with several small ring structures
- synthetic — made or produced by people, not naturally
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you drink regular or decaffeinated coffee? Why?
- Would you try a treatment made from coffee compounds? Why or why not?
- Why do you think scientists study receptors in the body?
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