Can coffee protect against corona infection?

Vaccination protects against the coronavirus. But for that you need the spades in your arm. Another method could be much nicer and simpler. A cup of coffee in the morning could be enough, a new study from Germany shows.

Chemist Nikolai Kuhnert and his team at Jacobs University in Bremen were able to demonstrate that a compound in coffee inhibits the interaction between the coronavirus spike protein and the human cell’s ACE-2 receptor. At least from a biochemical point of view, it is theoretically possible that a cup of coffee a day can protect against corona infection.

The reason for the assumption is the chemical compound 5-caffeoylquinic acid, also called chlorogenic acid, found in coffee. This acid inhibits the interaction between the spike protein of the coronavirus and the ACE-2 receptor, the virus’s attachment point on the human cell, by a factor of 50.

“As chemists, we cannot answer the practical question”

According to the study, a 200-milliliter cup of coffee contains about 100 milligrams of this chlorogenic acid. Even this concentration is sufficient to inhibit the coupling of the spike protein and thereby prevent infection. However, the researchers also emphasize that the studies were conducted in the lab. Further research is needed to find out whether a cup of coffee can also help in the fight against the corona virus in practice. It is also unclear how long the acid actually has an inhibitory effect.

“As chemists, we cannot answer the practical question of whether drinking coffee can really serve as a preventive measure to protect against infection. But we can say that it is plausible,” says chemistry professor Kuhnert in a reaction to the study.

The suspicion must now be further investigated. For example, it could be analyzed whether people who regularly drink coffee are actually less likely to become infected with Corona or not. It could also be interesting to continue to see whether coffee can help with Long-Covid.

“Insufficient evidence”

But there is already a first indication that coffee could help against Corona. The former canton doctor Thomas Steffen also finds this surprising. However, one should not rejoice too quickly. Many questions are still open. “For example, we don’t know how long this inhibition lasts, or whether it has any effect in the body yet,” Steffen tells Blick.

Steffen: “The inhibitory effect shown here in the study should not be construed as a tested medicinal effect and should not lead to a change in one’s own consumption behaviour.” In plain language: suddenly drinking a lot of coffee in the hope of being protected against corona are the wrong conclusions from the research.

The Federal Public Service Public Health (BAG) also advises against drawing hasty conclusions. The study is based on laboratory data only. “These do not yet provide sufficient evidence that this also protects people”, the BAG explains when asked.

Coffee promotes heart health

Nevertheless, it has already been shown in the past that coffee consumption can have health-promoting effects. For example, people who drink coffee have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

Incidentally, so far no studies have confirmed that coffee is bad for blood pressure, writes the German Heart Foundation. On the contrary, regular consumption is beneficial for heart health. A maximum of three cups per day is recommended.

Coffee consumption may also alleviate alcohol-related liver disease. It is therefore not unlikely that coffee can also help with Corona, according to research leader Kuhnert. (yeah)