Your Body: Coffee Cravings May Be in Your Genes

moodboard/ThinkstockBy DR. JENNIFER ASHTON, ABC News Senior Medical Contributor

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide and one of the leading sources of caffeine intake. Now, researchers report they have found a new possible genetic link to coffee drinking.

The gene, called PDSS2, was inversely correlated to the quantity of coffee consumed in certain populations — in other words, those who had less expression of the gene tended to drink more coffee.

Here’s my take on coffee consumption: Data has clearly shown that coffee has some real health benefits. But too much can definitely increase your heart rate, blood pressure and lead to insomnia. 

The key is finding that happy medium. For me, I keep it to about four cups a day spread out over about 10 hours.

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