A freshly brewed cup of coffee might do more than just kickstart your day; it could also safeguard your heart and prolong your life, suggests a new study. The research, based on data from the UK Biobank, indicates that consuming two to three cups of coffee a day, whether ground, instant, or decaffeinated, is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and premature death.
The study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, reveals “significant reductions” in the risk of coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, and stroke for all three types of coffee. Notably, ground and instant coffee with caffeine also showed a decreased risk for an irregular heartbeat known as arrhythmia, while decaffeinated coffee did not exhibit the same effect.
Lead author Peter Kistler, head of clinical electrophysiology research at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, suggests that mild to moderate coffee intake should be considered part of a healthy lifestyle. However, the study is observational in nature, and Kistler emphasizes the need for randomized controlled trials to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
The study divided nearly 450,000 adults into four groups based on coffee preferences: caffeinated ground coffee, decaffeinated coffee, caffeinated instant coffee, and non-coffee drinkers. After an average follow-up of 12.5 years, researchers found that all types of coffee were linked to a reduction in death from any cause.
Ground, caffeinated coffee showed the most significant risk reduction. Consuming two to three cups per day was associated with a 27% lower risk of death, followed by decaffeinated coffee at 14%, and instant caffeinated coffee at 11%. The reduction in the risk of heart disease and stroke was less pronounced, with ground coffee showing a 20% decrease, decaf coffee reducing risk by 6%, and instant coffee by 9%.
When it came to the impact on irregular heartbeat, four to five cups a day of caffeinated ground coffee lowered the risk by 17%, while two to three cups of instant coffee reduced the likelihood of arrhythmia by 12%.
The study’s findings also challenge the assumption that caffeine is the primary factor contributing to coffee’s health benefits. Kistler suggests that the more than 100 biologically active components in coffee, beyond caffeine, could be responsible for the observed positive relationships with cardiovascular health.
While the study highlights the potential benefits of coffee consumption, experts caution against overinterpretation. Annette Creedon, a nutritional scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, emphasizes the study’s limitations, including self-reported coffee consumption and the need for randomized controlled trials. She also notes that coffee may have negative side effects for some individuals, such as those with sleep issues or uncontrolled diabetes.
As the debate over coffee’s health effects continues, it’s crucial to consider individual sensitivities and the overall context of coffee consumption. The study’s focus on black coffee also underscores the importance of distinguishing between a simple cup of coffee and more elaborate, sugar-laden concoctions. Filtering methods and brewing styles can further impact coffee’s health benefits, and caution is advised for children and adolescents regarding caffeine intake.