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進入《中英對照讀新聞》Coffee addiction ’in your genes’ 咖啡癮來自基因
◎國際新聞中心
Coffee addicts have an excuse for blaming their genes. According to new research, genetic factors could explain why some people consume large amounts of caffeine.
嗜咖啡的人有藉口可以怪罪基因了，根據新研究，基因因素可以解釋有些人為什麼要攝取大量咖啡因。
US researchers scanned genetic variations in over 40,000 individuals to search for links with high caffeine intake. They found two stretches of DNA associated with high consumption of tea, coffee, chocolate, soft drinks and other sources of caffeine.
美國研究人員掃描4萬多人的基因變異，尋找與高咖啡因攝取量的關聯，結果發現兩段DNA與攝取大量茶、咖啡、巧克力、汽水等咖啡因來源有關。
Study author Dr Neil Caporaso of the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, US, said people with the high consumption genetic variation consume more caffeine - about 40mg-or a third of a cup of coffee or a can of cola-than other individuals.
研究作者、國家癌症研究院的卡波拉索表示，有高攝取量變異基因者，攝取較多咖啡因，比其他人約多40毫克，大概是3分之1杯的咖啡或1罐可樂的咖啡因量。
He told the BBC： "There are hundreds of genes known for specific medical conditions - for dietary consumption we know very little. Now, for the first time, we know specific genes that influence the amount of caffeine that individuals consume."
他告訴英國廣播公司：「目前已知有數百種基因會引起特定醫療症狀，不過關於飲食攝取量的基因，我們所知甚少。現在，我們首次知道特定基因影響人的咖啡因攝取量。」
新聞辭典
addiction：名詞，上癮，對藥物等上癮的人則為addict（上癮者）。例句：I’m a shopping addict.（我是購物狂。）
blame：動詞，怪罪。例句：Hugh blames his lack of confidence on his mother.（休把缺乏信心怪到母親頭上。）
consumption：名詞，攝取。例句：The meat was clearly unfit for human consumption.（這種肉顯然不適合人類食用。）
