Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
7349721
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Caffeine intake and endogenous sex steroid levels in postmenopausal women - The Rancho Bernardo Study
Author(s)
Ferrini, RL; Barrettconnor, E
Year
1996
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
American Journal of Epidemiology
ISSN:
0002-9262
EISSN:
1476-6256
Volume
144
Issue
7
Page Numbers
642-644
Web of Science Id
WOS:A1996VJ77000003
Abstract
Caffeine intake has been associated with risk of osteoporosis, breast cancer, endometriosis, and fibrocystic breast disease and has been hypothesized to exert its effects through alteration ct endogenous hormone levels. This study examined the cross-sectional association of caffeine intake with endogenous androgens, estrogens, and sex hormone-binding globulin in 728 white postmenopausal women aged 42-90 years in the Rancho Bernardo community-based study in 1984-1987. Caffeine intake was inversely associated with age and waist/hip ratio and positively associated with alcohol consumption. Significant inverse associations were noted between caffeine intake and bioavailable testosterone, which persisted after adjustment for age, waist/hip ratio, body mass index, alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, and physical activity (r = -0.10, p = 0.02). At high doses (equivalent to more than 2 cups of coffee or four cans of caffeinated soda daily), caffeine intake was positively associated with plasma estrone before and after adjustment for confounders (r = 0.26, p = 0.05). Sex hormone-binding globulin levels were positively associated with increasing caffeine intake (adjusted r = 0.09, p = 0.03). The positive association of caffeine with estrone and its inverse association with bioavailable testosterone suggest that caffeine's reported association with several chronic conditions may be mediated by an effect on endogenous sex steroids.
Keywords
caffeine; cohort studies; estradiol; estrogens; estrone; sex hormone-binding globulin; testosterone; women
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity