Study claims drinking two cups of coffee a day could add years to your life
The world's most popular beverage boosts the heart - increasing longevity.
Published
2 years ago onBy
Talker NewsBy Mark Waghorn via SWNS
Drinking two cups of coffee a day could add years to your life, according to new research.
The world's most popular beverage boosts the heart - increasing longevity.
Its benefits apply both to healthy individuals - and those with cardiovascular disease.
In the biggest analysis of its kind, scientists tracked more than 400,000 Britons for at least a decade.
Senior author Professor Peter Kistler, of the Baker Heart Institute, Melbourne, Australia, said: "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.
"We found coffee drinking had either a neutral effect—meaning that it did no harm—or was associated with benefits to heart health."
Optimum effects were identified in people who glugged two to three cups a day.
They had a 10 to 15 percent lower risk of developing coronary heart disease, heart failure a heart rhythm problem or dying for any reason.
This was compared to peers who never touch the black stuff. Coffee beans are packed with over 100 nutritious plant chemicals.
They dampen oxidative stress and inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity and metabolism, explained Prof Kistler.
The biologically active compounds also block the absorption of fat into the gut and molecules linked to abnormal heart rhythms.
Overall, participants who downed less than two cups or more than three cups fared less well.
However, the risk of stroke or heart-related death was lowest among those who drank one cup of coffee a day.
Drinking coffee was also associated with a lower risk of death for people who had been diagnosed with an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.
For example, those with AFib (atrial fibrillation) where the heart beats rapidly were nearly 20 percent less likely to die than non-coffee drinkers if they had one cup a day.
Prof Kistler said: "Clinicians generally have some apprehension about people with known cardiovascular disease or arrhythmias continuing to drink coffee.
"So they often err on the side of caution and advise them to stop drinking it altogether due to fears that it may trigger dangerous heart rhythms.
"But our study shows that regular coffee intake is safe and could be part of a healthy diet for people with heart disease."
People shouldn't increase their coffee intake if it makes them feel anxious or uncomfortable.
But it provides reassurance that coffee isn't tied to new or worsening heart disease - and may actually be heart protective.
Prof Kistler said: "There is a whole range of mechanisms through which coffee may reduce mortality and have these favorable effects on cardiovascular disease.
"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."
The international team used data from the UK BioBank - looking at consumption ranging from up to a cup to more than six cups a day.
They compared levels with heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias), cardiovascular disease and total and heart-related deaths.
In many cases, coffee significantly reduced risks to heart health - regardless of exercise, alcohol, smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure.
The researchers followed 382,535 men and women with an average age of 57 without known heart disease.
Secondly, they included 34,279 individuals who had some form of cardiovascular illness at the outset.
Among these, coffee intake of two to three cups a day was also linked with lower odds of dying compared with never touching it.
Importantly, consuming any amount did not increase the risk of heart rhythm problems including AFib or atrial flutter.
This is often what clinicians are concerned about, said Prof Kistler.
Of the 24,111 people included in the analysis who had an arrhythmia at baseline, drinking coffee was associated with a lower risk of death.
For example, people with AFib who drank one cup of coffee a day were nearly 20% less likely to die than non-coffee drinkers.
A third analysis of instant, ground, caffeinated or decaf coffee again found two to three daily cups was best. Lower death rates were seen across all types.
Decaf did not have favorable effects against arrhythmia cases but reduced cardiovascular disease - with the exception of heart failure.
It suggests caffeinated coffee is preferable across the board - and there are no benefits to choosing decaf over-caffeinated coffees, said Prof Kistler.
Cardiovascular disease is the world's number one killer - claiming an estimated 17.9 million lives each year.
Drinking coffee has also been linked with combating cancer, dementia, diabetes and depression.
People are normally advised to drink no more than four cups a day - about 400mg.
Caffeine is a stimulant - and can trigger insomnia and even muscle tremors.
The results were presented at an American College of Cardiology meeting in Washington DC.
Stories and infographics by ‘Talker Research’ are available to download & ready to use. Stories and videos by ‘Talker News’ are managed by SWNS. To license content for editorial or commercial use and to see the full scope of SWNS content, please email [email protected] or submit an inquiry via our contact form.
You may like
Metals can heal themselves just like ‘The Terminator’
Two-faced star has hydrogen on one side and helium on other
World’s oldest big game hunting weapon found
An espresso a day could keep Alzheimer’s at bay
Being bipolar significantly raises risk of premature death: study
Soccer players who regularly use head more likely to develop Alzheimer’s
Other Stories
Pro mermaid’s career goes swimmingly after overcoming ocean fear
She makes up to $8,000 a show.
Giant prehistoric salmon used tusk-like teeth to fight off predators
The species that grew up to nine feet long lived in the North American Pacific Northwest.
Evidence of Earth’s magnetic field dates back 3.7 billion years
Life on Earth would not be possible without its magnetic field.
Adorable video shows baby rhino enjoying sunshine
By Faye Mayern via SWNS An endangered baby rhino has well and truly found its feet after being filmed playing...
Hilarious moment delivery man gets chased by tiny dog
The hilarious encounter was caught on video.
Top Talkers
- Parenting6 days ago
Single mom details struggles of feeding her 12 kids
- Lifestyle5 days ago
Woman regrets her tattoo nightmare: ‘It’s horrendous’
- Good News2 days ago
Disabled student takes first steps in 10 years on graduation stage
- Broadcast1 week ago
Over 40% of Americans have no clue what a 401k is
- Broadcast1 week ago
How hard is it for Americans to live sustainably?
- Health2 days ago
New study reveals ‘old age’ begins later than it used to
- Money1 week ago
Over 40% of Americans have no clue what a 401k is
- Wildlife1 day ago
Clever elephant returns visitor’s shoe after falling into enclosure