New research suggests coffee offers more than morning alertness
According to a recent study, the morning ritual of drinking coffee may offer more benefits than just waking you up. Dr. Gregory Marcus, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, stated that while this research is encouraging for caffeine drinkers, it shouldn't necessarily prompt non-drinkers to pick up the habit. The study's implications are yet to be fully understood and explored.
Moderate caffeine intake linked to lower cardiometabolic risk
The study, led by Dr. Chaofu Ke, associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Soochow University in Suzhou, China, found a correlation between moderate caffeine consumption and a lower risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CM). Cardiometabolic (CM) syndrome is the simultaneous occurrence of at least two cardiometabolic diseases, including conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Ke suggested that coffee and caffeine consumption could have a significant protective effect throughout nearly all stages of CM development.
UK Biobank data analysis supports caffeine's protective role
The research team analyzed data from approximately 180,000 individuals in the UK Biobank, a comprehensive biomedical database and research resource that tracks people over an extended period. None of the participants had cardiometabolic diseases at the beginning of the study. The data included self-reported caffeine consumption through coffee or black or green tea and any cardiometabolic diseases developed, as documented in primary care data, hospital records, and death certificates.
Moderate caffeine consumption reduces cardiometabolic risk
The study found that moderate caffeine consumers had a significantly lower risk of developing new onset cardiometabolic multimorbidity. The risk was reduced by 48.1% for those who consumed three cups of coffee a day, or 40.7% for those who ingested 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine daily, compared to individuals who didn't drink or drank less than one cup, according to Ke. These findings were published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Caffeine's impact on heart health supported by large sample size
Dr. Gregory Marcus, associate chief of cardiology for research and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the study, praised its large sample size and use of multiple biomarkers. He stated that these factors contribute to a robust examination of how caffeine affects heart health. Marcus noted that these observations contribute to the increasing evidence suggesting that caffeine, along with natural sources of caffeine like tea and coffee, might improve cardiovascular health.
Causal effects between caffeine and heart health still unclear
While the study's methodology is robust and consistent with existing data on caffeine and heart health, Marcus noted that questions remain about the strength of the connection. He stressed that although the data suggest a link between caffeine, tea, coffee, and a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, it is crucial to exercise caution before drawing conclusions about causation. Since the study is observational, it can only demonstrate a correlation between caffeine consumption and heart health.
Other factors may contribute to improved heart health
Marcus noted that other factors might be the actual cause of the observed improved heart health. He pointed out that it is still possible that the perceived protective effects might not actually exist, and that the observed positive associations could be explained by an unknown or unmeasured factor. He suggested that those more likely to consume caffeine might also have a healthier diet or be more physically active, which could contribute to their heart health.
