Esposito F, Morisco F, Verde V, Ritieni A, Alezio A, Caporaso N, Fogliano V. Moderate coffee consumption increases plasma glutathione but not homocysteine in healthy subjects.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2003;
17:595-601. [PMID:
12622769 DOI:
10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01429.x]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
The consumption of unfiltered coffee, containing bioactive diterpenes, causes an increase in plasma homocysteine concentration. A slight increase in plasma homocysteine is also caused by large quantities of filtered coffee. Coffee terpenes also raise plasma glutathione in mice.
AIM
To verify the effect of Italian-style coffee consumption on the plasma concentration of glutathione and homocysteine in healthy subjects.
METHODS
Twenty-two volunteers consumed five cups of coffee per day for 1 week and maintained their usual diet. Five subjects were enrolled as controls. The intervention trial was preceded and followed by seven coffee-free days.
RESULTS
Plasma glutathione increased by 16% (P < 0.05) on coffee consumption, and returned to the original concentration after the washout period. The increase in plasma homocysteine concentration (13% after 1 week of coffee intake) was not significant. No differences in glutathione or homocysteine concentration were observed in the control group. No variation of plasma hydroperoxide concentration was detectable.
CONCLUSIONS
A coffee intake regimen, representing the average consumption of coffee drinkers in Italy, increased the plasma concentration of glutathione, but no significant increase in the plasma homocysteine concentration was detected.
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