Coffee, homocysteine and B vitamins
Elevated level of homocysteine has been identified as a graded and independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. The metabolism of homocysteine is dependent on the availability of the B-vitamins, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 (pyridoxal phosphate). Although elevated levels of tHcy in plasma and serum is particularly seen in folate deficiency, elevated levels are also seen in the presence of folate levels in the lower reference range. The study was organised as a prospective, cross-over, blinded controlled trial with the participants randomly allocated to two different groups which will consume:
1) For 3 weeks: Both groups: no coffee
2) For 4 weeks: Group A: 4 cups of coffee/day + placebo, Group B: 4 cups of coffee/day + 200 g folate/day
3) For 3 weeks: Both groups: no coffee (wash out)
4) For 4 weeks: Group A. 4 cups of coffee/day + 40 g B-6/day, Group B: 4 cups of coffee/day + placebo.
The participants were randomised again in the beginning of the second part. Each participant met at five visits. They were allowed to drink other beverages. Diet habits were registered during the study. Blood samples were drawn and blood pressure measured at every visit. Blood samples were analysed for homocysteine in plasma and total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, Lp(a), folate, ALAT, ASAT, urate and gamma-GT in serum. Frosen whole blood is available.
Purpose:
To investigate the interaction of coffee consumption on the effects of folate and vitamin B-6 on the methionin metabolism and thereby on the plasma homocysteine levels.
Contact for data - Elisabeth Strandhagen
Opens in a new tabelisabeth.strandhagen@snd.gu.se
Citation and access
Citation and access
Data access level:
Creator/Principal investigator(s):
- Dag Thelle
- Elisabeth Strandhagen - University of Gothenburg - Department of Public Health and Community Medicine
- Henrik Zetterberg - University of Gothenburg - Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology
Research principal:
Data contains personal data:
No
Citation:
Language:
Method and outcome
Method and outcome
Unit of analysis:
Population:
The participants were in the age-range 35-69 years and usual coffee drinkers, free of clinically recognised chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, renal disorders, liver disease, diabetes mellitus, and were not on anti-epileptic or chol
Study design:
- Experimental study
Sampling procedure:
Description of sampling:
The participants were recruited by advertisement in daily press.
Time period(s) investigated:
Variables:
93
Number of individuals/objects:
121
Data format/data structure:
Data collection
Data collection
Time period(s) for data collection:
2000-10 - 2001-04
Source of the data:
- Population group
- Biological samples
Geographic coverage
Geographic coverage
Geographic location:
Geographic description:
Stor-Göteborg
Administrative information
Administrative information
Responsible department/unit:
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine
Topic and keywords
Topic and keywords
CESSDA Topic Classification:
Standard för svensk indelning av forskningsämnen 2025:
Keywords:
Publications
Publications
Citation:
Strandhagen E. Coffee and gene interaction. The effect on methionine and lipid metabolism. Thesis, University of Gothenburg, 2004.
ISBN:
91-628-6022-4
Citation:
Strandhagen E, Landaas S, Thelle DS. Folate supplement eliminates the homocysteine increasing effect of filtered coffee. A randomised placebo controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr, 2003; 57: 1411-1417
Citation:
Strandhagen E, Zetterberg H, Aires A, Palmér M, Rymo L, Blennow K, Thelle DS. The apolipoprotein E genetic polymorphism and the cholesterol raising effect of coffee. Lipids in Health and Disease 2004; 3: 26 (30Nov2004)
Citation:
Strandhagen E, Thelle DS. Filtered coffee raises serum cholesterol. Results from a controlled intervention trial. Eur J Clin Nutr, 2003; 57: 1164-1168.
Citation:
Strandhagen E, Zetterberg H, Aires N, Palmér M, Rymo L, Blennow K, Landaas S, Thelle DS. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism is a major determinant of coffee-induced increase of plasma homocysteine: a randomized placebo controlled study. Int J Mol Med 2004: 6: 811-5.
