Coffee

If you’ve ever contemplated whether or not you should have that second – or third – cup of coffee, the results from a new study might convince you to do just that. 

A new study recently published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that healthy adults who consume 200-300 mg of caffeine every day – or two to three cups of coffee – could lower their risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity.

According to the researchers, cardiometabolic multimorbidity occurs when patients are diagnosed with more than one cardiometabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, or stroke.  

“Consuming three cups of coffee, or 200-300 mg of caffeine, per day might help to reduce the risk of developing cardiometabolic multimorbidity in individuals without any cardiometabolic disease,” said researcher Dr. Chaofu Ke. “The findings highlight that promoting moderate amounts of coffee or caffeine intake as a dietary habit to healthy people might have far-reaching benefits for the prevention of cardiometabolic multimorbidity.” 

The benefits of coffee

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from approximately 360,000 participants enrolled in the U.K. Biobank. The participants answered questionnaires about their daily caffeine intake, and the researchers analyzed their health records. None of the participants had a history of cardiometabolic issues when the study began. 

Overall, coffee drinkers proved to have a lower risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity. 

Those who drank three cups per day had a 48% lower risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity compared to those who drank no coffee and those who drank less than 100 mg of caffeine per day. Similarly, those who had 200-300 mg of caffeine per day had an over 40% lower risk of developing cardiometabolic multimorbidity. 

The researchers explained that this study marks the first time it’s been proven that coffee, tea, or caffeine intake can lower the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity – not just individual cardiometabolic diseases. 

Additionally, they noted that while any cardiometabolic disease increases the risk of morbidity, cardiometabolic multimorbidity increases the risk of death from any cause by as much as seven times. 

Previous studies have already shown that there are some health benefits associated with drinking coffee. Now, a new study conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine has discovered an additional health benefit connected to the beverage. 

According to their findings, coffee drinkers may have a lower risk of developing acute kidney injuries (AKIs) when compared to non-coffee drinkers. 

“We already know that drinking coffee on a regular basis has been associated with the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease,” said researcher Dr. Chirag Parikh. “We can now add a possible reduction in AKI risk to the growing list of health benefits for caffeine.” 

Benefits of drinking coffee

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 14,200 participants between the ages of 45 and 64 who were enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Participants were surveyed seven times over the course of two and a half decades to determine how many cups of coffee they typically drank each day; the team then tracked the participants’ health outcomes over the course of the study. 

The team identified a link between coffee consumption and a lower risk of AKIs. Drinking any amount of coffee was associated with a 15% lower risk of kidney injuries. When the team accounted for health factors that may make AKIs more likely -- such as diabetes status, high blood pressure, and high body mass index scores (BMI) -- coffee drinkers still had an 11% lower risk of kidney injuries. 

“We suspect that the reason for coffee’s impact on AKI risk may be that either biologically active compounds combined with caffeine or just the caffeine itself improves perfusion and oxygen utilization within the kidneys,” said Dr. Parikh. “Good kidney function and tolerance to AKIs is dependent on a steady blood supply and oxygen.” 

The team plans to do more work in this area to understand how different caffeinated beverages affect consumers’ kidney health and to get a better idea of the precise ways that coffee affects AKIs. 

“Caffeine has been postulated to inhibit the production of molecules that cause chemical imbalances and the use of too much oxygen in the kidneys,” Dr. Parikh said. “Perhaps caffeine helps the kidneys maintain a more stable system.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the American College of Cardiology discovered good news for avid coffee drinkers. Their work showed that drinking two to three cups of coffee every day may be linked with a lower risk of heart disease and a greater chance of longer life. 

“Because coffee can quicken heart rate, some people worry that drinking it could trigger or worsen certain heart issues. This is where general medical advice to stop drinking coffee may come from. But our data suggest that daily coffee intake shouldn’t be discouraged, but rather included as a part of a healthy diet for people with and without heart disease," said researcher Dr. Peter M. Kistler.

"We found coffee drinking had either a neutral effect – meaning that it did no harm – or was associated with benefits to heart health.” 

Heart health benefits

For the first part of the study, the researchers analyzed 10 years' worth of data from over 382,000 people enrolled in the U.K. Biobank. Participants answered questions about how much coffee they drank on a daily basis, and the researchers compared that with their incidence of heart disease, including heart attack and stroke, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease. None of the participants had a history of heart disease when the study began. 

The study showed that regularly drinking two to three cups of coffee per day was linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Participants who fell into this group were 10% to 15% less likely to develop heart failure, coronary heart disease, heart disease-related death, or arrhythmia. Additionally, one cup of coffee per day was linked with a lower risk of stroke. 

In a second study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 35,000 people who had a history of heart disease to understand how coffee affected their health outcomes. Their work showed that drinking coffee didn’t worsen heart problems, and participants had a lower mortality risk when they drank two to three cups per day. 

Experts say there are many ways that coffee can promote better heart health. They point out that the compounds found in coffee may work to reduce inflammation, boost metabolism, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce oxidative stress. 

“There is a whole range of mechanisms through which coffee may reduce mortality and have these favorable effects on cardiovascular disease,” Kistler said. “Coffee drinkers should feel reassured that they can continue to enjoy coffee even if they have heart disease. Coffee is the most common cognitive enhancer – it wakes you up, makes you mentally sharper, and it’s a very important component of many people’s daily lives.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Tianjin Medical University explored some of the health benefits associated with moderate consumption of coffee and tea. According to their findings, having a few cups of coffee and tea per day may lower the risk of dementia and stroke. 

“Our findings suggest that moderate consumption of coffee and tea separately or in combination were associated with lower risk of stroke and dementia,” the researchers wrote. 

Cognitive benefits of coffee and tea

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 365,000 participants enrolled in the U.K. Biobank. The participants self-reported on their coffee and tea consumption, and the researchers tracked their health outcomes for at least 10 years. 

These findings highlight some good news for consumers who are frequent tea and coffee drinkers. Having at least two cups of coffee or three cups of tea, or a combination of both drinks, was associated with the most protective health benefits for the study participants. 

Overall, drinking two to three cups of coffee and two to three cups of tea on a daily basis was associated with a more than 30% lower risk of stroke and a nearly 30% lower risk of dementia. Coffee was found to have the greatest health benefits; drinking just coffee or coffee and tea helped lower the risk of post-stroke dementia. 

The researchers hypothesize that the antioxidants and other bioactive compounds found in coffee and tea could be responsible for this positive relationship with consumers’ cognitive health. Moving forward, the team hopes these findings can be beneficial in identifying more ways to prevent significant health risks and cognitive decline. 

“Despite advances in understanding the pathophysiology of stroke and dementia, clinical treatment of stroke and dementia continues to be suboptimal,” the researchers wrote. “Therefore, identifying the preventable risk factors for stroke and dementia is of high priority. 

“From a public health perspective, because regular tea and coffee drinkers comprise such a large proportion of the population and because these beverages tend to be consumed habitually through adult life, even small potential health benefits or risks associated with tea and coffee intake may have important public health implications.” 

Are you drinking too much coffee? Several studies have debated the risks and benefits of one of consumers’ favorite drinks. While most experts have ruled that coffee can produce health benefits, new findings are showing that there is a level of consumption that goes too far. 

According to researchers from the University of South Australia, consumers who drink six or more cups of coffee per day could be at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. 

“There’s certainly a lot of scientific debate about the pros and cons of coffee, but while it may seem like we’re going over old ground, it’s essential to fully understand how one of the world’s most widely consumed drinks can impact our health,” said researcher Elina Hyppönen. 

“In this study, we looked at genetic and phenotypic associations between coffee and intake and plasma lipid profiles -- the cholesterols and fats in your blood -- finding causal evidence that habitual coffee consumption contributes to an adverse lipid profile, which can increase your risk of heart disease,” she said. 

Balancing heart health and coffee intake

The researchers analyzed data from more than 362,000 participants involved in the U.K. Biobank to determine how coffee consumption can affect heart health. They looked specifically at how much coffee the participants’ drank and compared that with the cholesterol and fat levels in the participants’ blood, which is often a key indicator of heart disease risk. 

The study found that participants were at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease when they consumed large quantities of coffee over an extended period of time. Six cups of coffee per day was determined to be the limit; exceeding that on a daily basis was linked with a severely increased risk of heart disease. 

The researchers explained that drinking coffee in excess adds fat and cholesterol into the blood, which can put a lot of stress on the heart and make heart disease more likely. They point specifically to the compound in coffee known as cafestol as the primary risk factor for health concerns. 

“Cafestol is mainly present in unfiltered brews, such as French press, Turkish and Greek coffees, but it’s also in espressos, which is the base for most barista-made coffees, including lattes and cappuccinos,” said Hyppönen. “There is no, or very little, cafestol in filtered and instant coffee, so with respect to effects on lipids, those are good coffee choices.” 

Drink in moderation

Though coffee is a bright spot in many consumers’ daily routines, the health risks are real -- especially for those who are already at an increased risk of heart disease and drink coffee in excess. The researchers recommend that consumers adopt a moderation mindset since eliminating coffee entirely isn’t necessary; however, limiting intake can be beneficial for long-term health. 

“With coffee being close to the heart for many people, it’s always going to be a controversial subject,” Hyppönen said. “Our research shows excess coffee is clearly not good for cardiovascular health, which certainly has implications for those already at risk. 

“Of course, unless we know otherwise, the well-worn adage usually fares well -- everything in moderation -- when it comes to health, this is generally good advice,” she concluded. 

Several studies have highlighted how regularly drinking both coffee and green tea can impart several health benefits to consumers. 

Now, a new study conducted by researchers from the American Heart Association has found that both popular beverages can be particularly beneficial for survivors of heart attacks and strokes. The study revealed that green tea and coffee have both been linked with reducing the risk of death for those who have experienced either cardiac event. 

Maintaining cardiovascular health

For the study, the researchers evaluated data from more than 76,000 participants enrolled in the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk. Participants disclosed their history with cardiovascular issues, such as heart attack and stroke, and also reported on how frequently they consumed both green tea and coffee. 

The researchers learned that both drinks were beneficial to participants who had experienced a heart attack or stroke. Green tea was found to be more effective for stroke survivors, and coffee was effective for both groups and for those without a history of cardiovascular issues. The study showed that participants who drank at least one cup of coffee per day and hadn’t experienced either a heart attack or stroke had a 14 percent lower chance of early death. 

In looking at the benefits associated with green tea, the researchers found that drinking at least seven cups per day lowered the risk of death for stroke survivors by more than 60 percent. On the other hand, heart attack and stroke survivors who had at least one cup of coffee per day lowered their risk of death by more than 20 percent. 

Cut down on the sugar

Though these findings were positive, the researchers warn consumers that adding a ton of sugar to either of these drinks can compromise the health benefits. 

“An important distinction to make is that in Japanese culture, green tea is generally prepared with water and without sugar,” said researcher Dr. Hiroyasu Iso. “Additionally, coffee is prepared with water and occasionally milk and sugar. The healthiest way to prepare these beverages is without an unnecessary amount of added sugars.” 

The researchers hope that these findings inspire future studies to explore similar themes. The time after a cardiovascular event can be difficult for many consumers, but patients can feel more confident, prepared, and healthy if they find ways to help their recovery. 

“There is a strong need for scientific evidence on the lifestyles among survivors of stroke and heart attack considering the rapidly aging population and the need to improve life expectancy following these cardiovascular events,” Dr. Iso said.