Coffee contains a protein that has an effect similar to morphine, scientists at the University of Brasilia and Brazilian agriculture research company Embrapa have discovered. Moreover, they claim, the substance’s pain-killing effect lasts longer.
The research was conducted by Felipe Vinecky of the Molecular Biology Department at the University of Brasilia in co-operation with the Genetics and Biotechnology Division of state owned agriculture and livestock research company Embrapa. The research involved searching for and combining coffee genes to affect quality. In the course of study, the scientists managed to find new substances.
The researchers “identified previously unknown fragments of protein in coffee that have an effect similar to morphine,” said Embrapa. The university and Embrapa have applied for patents for seven proteins they called ‘opioid peptides.’
