Coffee lovers breathed a sigh of relief: those who drink excessive amounts of coffee can now confidently blame their genes! Because a study found out that caffeine dependence or the preference for coffee or tea is genetic. Learn more here.

Dearly beloved pick-me-up: Do you prefer coffee to tea? Scientists from Australia have found that this is due to genes. In order to get to the bottom of the question of why the majority of people prefer coffee to tea, around half a million participants were tested as part of a gene project. The main focus was on the connections between beverage preferences and DNA sections.

The bitter taste is perceived differently

Even before the start of the test series, it was known that people react differently to bitter tastes and therefore perceive them differently. This depends on which taste receptor genes you have. As the Australian scientists have now discovered, it is precisely these genes that determine whether one prefers tea or coffee.

Incidentally, those who are most likely to develop a caffeine addiction are those who can taste caffeine stronger due to their genes. A higher perception of caffeine can therefore lead to drinking a lot of coffee – some even more than four cups of coffee a day. Teas can also contain caffeine, but these amounts are so small that no caffeine addiction can be satisfied in this sense.

Coffee – healthy or not?

There is good news for everyone who likes to drink several cups of coffee a day. The bad conscience no longer has to drink, because the caffeine drink is far healthier than is often assumed.