COFFEE AND SERUM GAMMA-GLUTAMYL-TRANSFERASE - A STUDY OF SELF-DEFENSEOFFICIALS IN JAPAN

The relation of coffee drinking and other behavioral factors to serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) was examined in 2,494 male self-defens e officials aged 48-56 years, who received a retirement health examina tion at the Self-Defense Forces Fukuoka Hospital between October 1986 and December 1990. Coffee, but not green tea, consumption was inversel y related to serum GOT independently of body mass index, alcohol use, and smoking. All of the latter Variables were also independently and p ositively associated with serum GGT. Lower levels of serum GGT associa ted with coffee drinking were more evident among heavier alcohol drink ers and also among heavier smokers. The findings suggest that coffee m ay inhibit the inducing effects of alcohol and possibly of smoking upo n GGT in the liver.