By Antoine Abrieux
UC Davis Coffee Center Annual Research Symposium & Institute for the Innovation of Food and Health (IIFH) Discovery Forum
October 27, 2025 · University of California, Davis
Caffeine—the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive compound—was the focus of a two-day gathering at UC Davis that brought together researchers, industry innovators, and students to explore the science, technology, and health implications of coffee.
Hosted by the UC Davis Coffee Center and the IIFH with support from Cornucopian Capital, this event examined caffeine’s journey from processing to human metabolism. IIFH Discovery Forums bring together leading scientific researchers, clinicians, investors, and business leaders to discuss specific areas in food for health innovation.
The science behind the cup: from bean to body
The program showcased the breadth of ongoing coffee science at UC Davis guided by a central question: how can we better understand and optimize the factors that influence not only coffee’s flavor and quality, but also its impact on human health? From new methods for quantifying roast color to detecting bean defects, speakers emphasized how processing decisions shape the chemical makeup of coffee and ultimately, the experience and well-being of the consumer. A life-cycle assessment of decaffeination, presented by Dr. Ned Spang, underscored the environmental implications of current practices and the importance of balancing sustainability with consumer demand for healthier, lower-caffeine options.
“Decaffeination doubles the greenhouse gas emissions of green coffee beans […] we need to think about doing decaffeination in a different way” Dr. Ned Spang, Associate Professor, UC Davis Food Science and Technology
By bringing together experts in environmental science, engineering, food chemistry, and nutrition – all essential to understanding coffee’s role in both human and planetary health – UC Davis provides the multidisciplinary foundation needed to lead the future of coffee science. This unique ecosystem makes UC Davis the perfect home for the Coffee Center – the nation’s first academic research and teaching facility dedicated entirely to coffee.
“There’s no other academic center that has all of this dedicated physical infrastructure for coffee research and education under one roof, anywhere in the United States,” said Bill Ristenpart, director of the UC Davis Coffee Center.
Precision Nutrition and the Biology of Caffeine
Through the discovery forum sessions, discussion shifted from the chemistry of coffee to the biology of caffeine as a model for precision nutrition. Setting the stage, Peter Giuliano, Executive Director of the Coffee Science Foundation, discussed changing patterns in caffeine consumption and the importance of preserving the full sensory and social dimensions of coffee. This underscores a central challenge in the space: how to adapt caffeine delivery to individual needs while maintaining what makes coffee meaningful and enjoyable. Striking this balance is key to creating healthier products that align with consumer preferences.
“Some consumers are willing to compromise a little bit on the energizing aspect of their cups, but they still want all the other elements—flavor, health benefits, and the social experience,” Peter Giuliano, Executive Director of the Coffee Science Foundation.
Marilyn Cornelis, Associate Professor at Northwestern University, built on this discussion by describing how genetic and metabolic differences shape individual responses to caffeine by influencing how quickly it is metabolized. “Too much [caffeine] actually varies from person to person,” she explained, noting that the same amount of caffeine can have very different effects on tolerance and behavior.
Greg Marcus, Professor of Medicine at UCSF, added a physiological dimension to the discussion by sharing results from a randomized trial using wearable devices to track how caffeinated coffee (consumption vs abstinence) affects heart rhythm, activity, sleep, and glucose level in real time. While the results showed a link between caffeine consumption and early ventricular contractions—a marker for higher risk of heart failure—it also showed a link to increased activity, an average of 1,000 extra steps per day, a level of activity associated with improved longevity. While no significant changes were observed in glucose levels, sleep duration dropped by about 30 minutes on coffee days, especially in slow caffeine metabolizers, highlighting the role of genetic differences in individual response.
“Caffeine’s effects aren’t inherently good or bad—they’re context-dependent,” he explained. “For one person it may increase alertness; for another, it may disrupt sleep or rhythm. Understanding who benefits, and when, is the key,” Greg Marcus, Professor of Medicine UCSF.
Bill Ristenpart, Director of the UC Davis Coffee Center, connected these biological insights back to production, noting how caffeine content can vary dramatically depending on brewing and preparation methods, even when using the same beans. This variability underscores the critical need to better understand not only the consumer but also the science behind coffee processing when tailoring caffeine recommendations.
To address this need for greater precision, Ingrid Swanson Pultz, Chief Science Officer at Caffree, introduced a novel approach to managing caffeine level directly from the cup. Caffree was founded through a research collaboration between IIFH and Cornucopian Capital where UC Davis researchers developed an enzyme-based technology that allows consumers to fine-tune caffeine levels without compromising what they love about their coffee experience. “Our goal is to allow consumers to select a caffeine level that’s right for them, without sacrificing taste or quality” she explained, offering a more moderate “light kick” for those seeking balance. Together, these perspectives point to a future where advances in brewing science and processing innovation enable more precise and health-conscious caffeine experiences.
A Roadmap for the future of precision nutrition
Across every discussion, it was clear that meaningful innovation arises from use-inspired research – translating science into tools, products, and practices that reflect the diversity of real-world experiences and needs. What began as a focused exploration of caffeine biology has emerged as a broader model for advancing precision nutrition. The opportunity now is to build on this foundation by strengthening cross-sector collaboration, accelerating applied research, and supporting innovations that make the food we love healthier for people and the planet.
October 27, 2025
This day-long convening of researchers, industry leaders, investors, students and more explores caffeine from multiple perspectives. The morning began with the UC Davis Coffee Center Annual Research Symposium, where faculty and graduate students will share cutting-edge research on roasting, extraction, defect detection, sensory science, and other innovations shaping the future of coffee. In the afternoon, the IIFH Discovery Forum expanded on the day’s conversation to explore caffeine’s bioactivity and emerging research, highlighting the potential for personalized approaches informed by chronobiology, genetic variability, and life-stage factors—within the evolving field of precision nutrition.
