Coffee as a dietary strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection

  • Cell Biosci. 2023 Nov 14;13(1):210. doi: 10.1186/s13578-023-01154-9.
Chen-Shiou Wu  #  1  2 ,  Yi-Chuan Li  #  3 ,  Shin-Lei Peng  #  4  5 ,  Chung-Yu Chen  2 ,  Hsiao-Fan Chen  1  2 ,  Po-Ren Hsueh  6 ,  Wei-Jan Wang  2  3 ,  Yen-Yi Liu  7 ,  Ciao-Ling Jiang  1  2 ,  Wei-Chao Chang  8 ,  Shao-Chun Wang  1  2  8  9  10 ,  Mien-Chie Hung  11  12  13  14  15  16
Affiliations
  • 1. Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 2. Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 3. Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 4. Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 5. Neuroscience and Brain Disease Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 6. Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 7. Department of Biology, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, Taiwan.
  • 8. Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 9. Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 10. Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
  • 11. Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. [email protected].
  • 12. Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. [email protected].
  • 13. Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. [email protected].
  • 14. Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan. [email protected].
  • 15. Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. [email protected].
  • 16. Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. [email protected].
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 37964389 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01154-9
Abstract

Background: To date, most countries lifted the restriction requirement and coexisted with SARS-CoV-2. Thus, dietary behavior for preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection becomes an interesting issue on a daily basis. Coffee consumption is connected with reduced COVID-19 risk and correlated to COVID-19 severity. However, the mechanisms of coffee for the reduction of COVID-19 risk are still unclear.

Results: Here, we identified that coffee can inhibit multiple variants of the SARS-CoV-2 Infection by restraining the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and reducing transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and Cathepsin L (CTSL) activity. Then, we used the method of "Here" (HRMS-exploring-recombination-examining) and found that isochlorogenic acid A, B, and C of coffee ingredients showed their potential to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Infection (inhibitory efficiency 43-54%). In addition, decaffeinated coffee still preserves inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2. Finally, in a human trial of 64 subjects, we identified that coffee consumption (approximately 1-2 cups/day) is sufficient to inhibit Infection of multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 entry, suggesting coffee could be a dietary strategy to prevent SARS-CoV2 Infection.

Conclusions: This study verified moderate coffee consumption, including decaffeination, can provide a new guideline for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2. Based on the results, we also suggest a coffee-drinking plan for people to prevent Infection in the post-COVID-19 era.

Keywords
ACE2; Cathepsin L; Coffee; SARS-CoV-2; TMPRSS2.
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