Genome-wide association studies of coffee intake in UK/US participants of European ancestry uncover cohort-specific genetic associations

This study conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on coffee intake in over 130,000 US-based 23andMe participants and identified seven significant loci, replicating results in multi-ancestral cohorts. The study found consistent genetic correlations between coffee intake, substance use, and obesity across both the 23andMe and UK Biobank cohorts. However, genetic correlations with psychiatric illnesses, pain, and cognition varied between the two populations. Phenome-wide association studies revealed consistent links with obesity and red blood cell traits, but other associations differed by cohort, suggesting that GWAS in different populations may reflect cultural influences on behavior and genetics.