New Study: Coffee Reduces the Risk of Cardiometabolic Diseases
A recent study has revealed that drinking a cup of coffee in the morning may offer health benefits beyond just waking you up. Dr. Chaofu Qi, Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Suzhou University in China, explained that moderate caffeine consumption—approximately three cups of coffee or tea per day—is associated with a reduced risk of cardiometabolic diseases. These diseases include the coexistence of two or more conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Qi noted that caffeine consumption may play a protective role at various stages of cardiometabolic disease development. In the study, which was published in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism,” researchers analyzed data from approximately 180,000 participants in the UK Biobank, a large biomedical database that tracks individuals over the long term. At the start of the study, none of the participants had cardiometabolic diseases.
The study collected information on participants’ caffeine intake from sources like coffee, black tea, or green tea, in addition to tracking the cardiometabolic diseases they developed through primary care data, hospital records, and death certificates.
The results showed that participants who consumed moderate amounts of caffeine had a lower risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. The risk decreased by 48.1% if they drank three cups daily, and by 40.7% if they consumed 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine daily, compared to those who drank no coffee or consumed less than one cup.
Commenting on the study, Dr. Gregory Marcus, Associate Chief of Cardiology for Research and Professor of Medicine at the University of California, said the study’s large sample size and use of various biomarkers make its findings robust. He highlighted that caffeine, and caffeine-containing beverages like tea and coffee, may promote cardiovascular health.
However, Marcus emphasized that the study is observational, meaning it cannot conclusively prove a causal link between caffeine consumption and heart health. He pointed out that other factors, such as following a healthier diet or being more physically active, may be contributing to the positive results. Additionally, the study did not assess the impact of caffeine found in soft drinks or energy drinks, leaving the potential effects of these beverages unclear.
Although the study’s findings may reassure regular coffee and tea drinkers, Marcus warned against excessive caffeine consumption. He cautioned that high doses of caffeine, especially when included in artificial beverages like energy drinks, could lead to serious heart rhythm problems.
