

If you have an unfavourable genetic variant of the CYP1A2 gene, your body produces less of the enzyme, and you metabolise caffeine slower. Consequently, the variation in the gene responsible for its synthesis has an important influence on your caffeine metabolism. This enzyme is responsible for up to 95 per cent of the entire caffeine metabolism. Let’s take a closer look at the genetic background of caffeine metabolism.Ĭaffeine is metabolised in our liver by the enzyme CYP1A2. Your genes. If even a small amount makes you restless, jittery and feeling unwell, you might not tolerate caffeine well. Also, be careful if you regularly consume any of the following herbs or supplements: calcium, echinacea, melatonin, magnesium, or red clover. Consult your doctor if you take antibiotics, antidepressants, bronchodilators, or antipsychotics. You are taking medications or supplements. Certain prescription medications and supplements can interact with caffeine, contributing to how it affects you. On the other hand, cigarette smoking almost doubles the rate of caffeine metabolism.

Your lifestyle and medical conditions. Infants and pregnant women have slower metabolism of caffeine, so do females during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle, and patients with liver disease. If you like the taste of coffee, choose decaffeinated coffee – it has the same aroma and flavour – or a coffee substitute (read on for ideas!).Īfter a while, your body will regain its caffeine sensitivity, and you will feel its rush again! On weekends, when you’re not working, or on holidays, replace coffee with herbal tea or freshly squeezed fruit juice. If you think it might not affect you anymore because you drink too much and too regularly, try cutting back. Our body develops caffeine tolerance fairly quickly.

But after a while, you needed another for the same effect, and maybe even a third … in simple words, your body got used to it! You are too used to it. Your first cup of coffee probably packed a punch and made you feel like you could be jumping from buildings.
