BackgroundCaffeine intake has been positively or negatively associated with the risk of chronic disease. Genome-wide association studies identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2472297 and rs2470893) in Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) gene that are involved in habitual caffeine intake. In this study, we investigated the association of common CYP1A2 SNPs (rs762551, rs2472297 and rs2470893) with most consumed caffeinated beverages intake (coffee and tea) in the Tunisian population. Five hundred and twenty healthy blood donors were enrolled. Coffee and tea intake data were extracted from dietary questionnaires of the participants. Genotyping was performed using PCR–RFLP. p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultsThere were no significant genetic effects of rs762551 and rs2472297 SNPs on coffee (p = 0.083 and p = 0.70) or tea (p = 0.49 and p = 0.49) consumption, respectively. However, rs2470893 SNP A carriers displayed higher coffee consumption [p = 0.001, OR (95% CI) 1.46 (1.16–1.86)] and lower tea consumption [p = 0.001, OR (95% CI) 0.80 (0.70–0.97)]. After stratification by confounding factors, the genetic effect was observed in women (1.2% of variation in coffee intake and 9.6% of variation in tea intake), subjects ≤ 35 years (1.5% of variation in coffee intake) and nonsmokers (1.4% of variation in tea intake).ConclusionsOur data are consistent with a beverage preference (coffee vs. tea) according to rs2470893 SNP genotypes (A carriers vs. GG). Furthermore, genetic variation is significant at the condition of lower CYP1A2 enzyme activity (among women, nonsmokers and younger age groups).