Associations of caffeine and caffeine metabolites with sex hormones among 6–19-year-old children and adolescents

Abstract We aimed to assess the associations between caffeine and its metabolites and sex steroid hormones among children (aged 6–11 years) and adolescents (aged 12–19 years) using data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANCES) conducted in 2013–2014. A total of 579 in...

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Main Authors: Shengping Li, Zhichao Yuan, Yong Zhao, Nianrong Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06330-0
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author Shengping Li
Zhichao Yuan
Yong Zhao
Nianrong Wang
author_facet Shengping Li
Zhichao Yuan
Yong Zhao
Nianrong Wang
author_sort Shengping Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We aimed to assess the associations between caffeine and its metabolites and sex steroid hormones among children (aged 6–11 years) and adolescents (aged 12–19 years) using data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANCES) conducted in 2013–2014. A total of 579 individuals aged 6–19 years with available data on urinary caffeine and its metabolites, as well as serum hormones [total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2), sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG)], were included. Additionally, the free androgen index (FAI) was calculated as TT/SHBG, and the ratio of TT to E2 (TT/E2) was estimated. Puberty status was defined based on hormone levels (TT ≥ 30 ng/dL in males and E2 ≥ 20 pg/ml in females for high steroid hormone levels; otherwise considered prepuberty). Linear regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Q-gcomp analyses were performed to estimate the associations of individual chemicals or chemical mixtures with sex hormones. Linear regression analyses indicated inverse associations between 12 and 15 caffeine metabolites with SHBG levels in male children and prepubertal boys, respectively. Furthermore, WQS regression demonstrated that caffeine mixtures were inversely associated with E2 and TT levels in male adolescents and prepubertal boys. Similar results were observed with Q-gcomp analysis. Exposure to caffeine and its metabolites, either individually or as a mixture, was inversely associated with SHBG levels in male children and prepubertal boys. Additionally, caffeine mixtures were associated with decreased levels of E2 and TT in male adolescents and prepubertal boys.
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spelling doaj-art-ec27c00d64b34d3d82adb0c490c8f5e02025-08-20T03:37:22ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-06330-0Associations of caffeine and caffeine metabolites with sex hormones among 6–19-year-old children and adolescentsShengping Li0Zhichao Yuan1Yong Zhao2Nianrong Wang3Department of Children Healthcare, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityDepartment of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Peking UniversitySchool of Public Health, Chongqing Medical UniversityDepartment of Children Healthcare, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityAbstract We aimed to assess the associations between caffeine and its metabolites and sex steroid hormones among children (aged 6–11 years) and adolescents (aged 12–19 years) using data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANCES) conducted in 2013–2014. A total of 579 individuals aged 6–19 years with available data on urinary caffeine and its metabolites, as well as serum hormones [total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2), sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG)], were included. Additionally, the free androgen index (FAI) was calculated as TT/SHBG, and the ratio of TT to E2 (TT/E2) was estimated. Puberty status was defined based on hormone levels (TT ≥ 30 ng/dL in males and E2 ≥ 20 pg/ml in females for high steroid hormone levels; otherwise considered prepuberty). Linear regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Q-gcomp analyses were performed to estimate the associations of individual chemicals or chemical mixtures with sex hormones. Linear regression analyses indicated inverse associations between 12 and 15 caffeine metabolites with SHBG levels in male children and prepubertal boys, respectively. Furthermore, WQS regression demonstrated that caffeine mixtures were inversely associated with E2 and TT levels in male adolescents and prepubertal boys. Similar results were observed with Q-gcomp analysis. Exposure to caffeine and its metabolites, either individually or as a mixture, was inversely associated with SHBG levels in male children and prepubertal boys. Additionally, caffeine mixtures were associated with decreased levels of E2 and TT in male adolescents and prepubertal boys.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06330-0Children/adolescentsCaffeine/caffeine metabolitesSex hormonesNational health and nutrition examination surveyMixed exposure
spellingShingle Shengping Li
Zhichao Yuan
Yong Zhao
Nianrong Wang
Associations of caffeine and caffeine metabolites with sex hormones among 6–19-year-old children and adolescents
Scientific Reports
Children/adolescents
Caffeine/caffeine metabolites
Sex hormones
National health and nutrition examination survey
Mixed exposure
title Associations of caffeine and caffeine metabolites with sex hormones among 6–19-year-old children and adolescents
title_full Associations of caffeine and caffeine metabolites with sex hormones among 6–19-year-old children and adolescents
title_fullStr Associations of caffeine and caffeine metabolites with sex hormones among 6–19-year-old children and adolescents
title_full_unstemmed Associations of caffeine and caffeine metabolites with sex hormones among 6–19-year-old children and adolescents
title_short Associations of caffeine and caffeine metabolites with sex hormones among 6–19-year-old children and adolescents
title_sort associations of caffeine and caffeine metabolites with sex hormones among 6 19 year old children and adolescents
topic Children/adolescents
Caffeine/caffeine metabolites
Sex hormones
National health and nutrition examination survey
Mixed exposure
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06330-0
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