Scientists have sequenced the genome of the coffee plant and detailed ways the caffeine in its leaves and berries help it to survive in a new study.
Their findings published today in Science should be good news for coffee addicts since the research could be the foundation of improved coffee varieties in the future, Live Science reported.
"Coffee is as important to everyday early risers as it is to the global economy. Accordingly, a genome sequence could be a significant step toward improving coffee," said Philippe Lashermes, a researcher at the French Institute of Research for Development, in a statement quoted by Live Science. "By looking at the coffee genome and genes specific to coffee, we were able to draw some conclusions about what makes coffee special."
The researchers examined Coffea canephora, a species commonly called Robusta coffee that makes up around 30 percent of the world's coffee, and found three ways that caffeine helps the plants.
Protects the coffee plant from hungry animals
"One reason is that caffeine seems to prevent herbivores from munching on the plant's leaves," study co-author Victor Albert, professor of biological sciences at the University of Buffalo, told Live Science.
Coffee plants have nearly as much caffeine in their leaves as in their berries, he said.
Stops other plants from invading its space
When the plant's caffeinated leaves fall onto the ground, caffeine compounds saturate the soil and prevent other plants from germinating, reducing the coffee plant's competition for space, water and nutrients.
Keeps honeybees coming back for more
Similar to humans, honeybees get a kick out of caffeine that can make it a habit. Boosting their memories, caffeine in plant nectar brings honeybees back to the same plants.
"Caffeine habituates pollinators. Probably in the same way that it habituates us. It keeps them coming back for more," Albert told Live Science.
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