What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Caffeine Sensitivity: 10/10 evidence, 32 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Lower Coffee Consumption and Better Kidney Health
This genotype is associated with consuming less coffee and tea daily. It is also linked to a lower risk of kidney-related issues like albuminuria.
What this genotype means: Lower habitual coffee consumption; Lower risk of albuminuria; Higher HDL cholesterol levels.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Higher Coffee Consumption and Increased Kidney Stress Risk
This genotype is linked to higher daily coffee consumption and a slower rate of caffeine metabolism. It also carries an increased risk of kidney stress markers like albuminuria.
What this genotype means: Higher habitual coffee consumption; Increased risk of albuminuria; Lower HDL cholesterol levels.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/C
Typical Coffee Consumption and Average Kidney Risk
This genotype represents the typical genetic baseline for caffeine sensitivity and metabolic health. It is associated with average coffee intake and standard kidney function markers.
What this genotype means: Typical coffee and tea consumption; Standard kidney function markers; Typical lipid and cholesterol levels.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The AHR gene encodes the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates many xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes [1]. It plays a crucial role in sensing environmental toxins and dietary compounds, initiating their clearance from the body [2]. Notably, AHR is the master regulator of the CYP1A2 enzyme, which is responsible for breaking down the vast majority of ingested caffeine [1]. By controlling CYP1A2 expression, AHR directly influences how quickly or slowly an individual processes caffeine [2]. Beyond caffeine, AHR is involved in immune response regulation, cellular development, and the metabolism of various therapeutic drugs [3].
Variant Impact: The rs4410790 variant is located in an intron of an uncharacterized region near the AHR gene on chromosome 7. This genetic change is strongly associated with altered methylation of the AHR gene, which directly impacts its expression levels [1]. Because AHR regulates the caffeine-metabolizing enzyme CYP1A2, this variant serves as a major genetic determinant of habitual coffee and tea consumption [4]. The C allele is linked to higher daily coffee intake, suggesting it may alter caffeine sensitivity or clearance rates [1]. Additionally, this variant has been found to influence broader metabolic markers, including kidney function indicators and lipid profiles [5].
Read on the Coffee Intake page
Key Insight: Your genetic sensitivity to caffeine is regulated by a receptor that also senses environmental toxins.
Location: AHR. Chromosome 7 · 7p21.1 · 17.2 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 22.1%; European 14.0%; African 29.7%; East Asian 33.5%; South Asian 31.6%; Americas 37.6%; Ashkenazi 31.7%; Finnish 9.5%; Middle Eastern 24.7%; Amish 15.5%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Global 47.6%; European 46.8%; African 49.6%; East Asian 48.8%; South Asian 49.2%; Americas 47.5%; Ashkenazi 49.2%; Finnish 42.6%; Middle Eastern 50.0%; Amish 47.7%.
Estimated TC genotype frequency.
Global 30.3%; European 39.2%; African 20.7%; East Asian 17.7%; South Asian 19.1%; Americas 15.0%; Ashkenazi 19.1%; Finnish 47.9%; Middle Eastern 25.3%; Amish 36.8%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Neurology & Mental Health
Behavioral & Personality Traits
Coffee Consumption. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 21490707. Lower Consumption.
Nutrition & Metabolism
Caffeine & Stimulant Metabolism
Caffeine Metabolism. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 40962832. Faster Metabolism.
Organ Systems
Kidney Function & Disease
Kidney Strain. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 30220432. Lower Risk.
Bladder Stones. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 39024449. Higher Risk.
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Lipids & Cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 32203549. Higher Levels.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Coffee Consumption. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 21490707. Higher Consumption.
Caffeine Metabolism. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 40962832. Slower Metabolism.
Kidney Strain. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 30220432. Higher Risk.
Bladder Stones. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 39024449. Lower Risk.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 32203549. Lower Levels.
Showing effects for T/C genotype
Coffee Consumption. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 21490707. Typical.
Kidney Strain. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 30220432. Typical Risk.
Bladder Stones. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 39024449. Typical Risk.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 32203549. Typical Levels.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
Individuals with the T/T genotype typically consume less caffeine and coffee compared to those carrying the C allele [1]. This lower consumption pattern is often driven by a higher baseline sensitivity to caffeine's stimulating effects [2]. On a metabolic level, this genotype is associated with a significantly lower risk of albuminuria, a condition characterized by excess protein in the urine that indicates kidney stress [3]. It is also linked to higher levels of protective HDL cholesterol [4]. However, studies suggest a slightly increased susceptibility to developing bladder stones [5]. Overall, this genetic profile favors robust kidney function and efficient lipid balance [3] [4].
Lower habitual coffee consumption; Lower risk of albuminuria; Higher HDL cholesterol levels; Slightly higher risk of bladder stones.
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
Individuals with the C/C genotype tend to consume more coffee and tea on a daily basis [1]. This behavior is often driven by a slower baseline caffeine metabolism, requiring higher intake to maintain the desired stimulating effects [2]. However, this genotype is also associated with an elevated risk of albuminuria, which is an early indicator of kidney stress and dysfunction [3]. It is linked to a higher urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, suggesting a need for proactive kidney health monitoring [4]. On the lipid spectrum, it is associated with lower levels of protective HDL cholesterol [5]. Conversely, this profile offers a slightly lower risk of developing bladder stones [6]. Managing caffeine intake and supporting kidney health are key considerations for this profile [3].
Higher habitual coffee consumption; Increased risk of albuminuria; Lower HDL cholesterol levels; Slightly lower risk of bladder stones.
Sample genotype: TC (Heterozygous)
Carrying one copy of the C allele and one copy of the T allele results in a highly typical metabolic profile. Individuals with this genotype generally consume moderate amounts of coffee and tea, reflecting an average sensitivity to caffeine [1]. The rate of caffeine clearance and the activity of the regulating AHR receptor are at baseline levels [2]. Standard risks are observed for kidney biomarkers, such as the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and lipid levels like HDL cholesterol [3] [4]. There is no significantly elevated risk for bladder stones or other metabolic imbalances associated with this locus [5]. It represents a balanced genetic middle ground with no extreme deviations in dietary habits or metabolic health.
Typical coffee and tea consumption; Standard kidney function markers; Typical lipid and cholesterol levels.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs6968865 · AHR Gene · Chr 7 · Caffeine Metabolism
rs2066853 · AHR Gene · Chr 7 · Toxin Sensitivity
rs17685 · POR Gene · Chr 7 · Caffeine Metabolism
Influence of CYP1A1/CYP1A2 and AHR polymorphisms on systemic olanzapine exposure.
Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies six novel loci associated with habitual coffee consumption.
Genome-wide association meta-analyses and fine-mapping elucidate pathways influencing albuminuria.
Diversity and scale: Genetic architecture of 2068 traits in the VA Million Veteran Program.
Content updated August 2026.
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