New research suggests that a morning cup of coffee could be beneficial for more than just boosting your mood.
As per Dr. Chaofu Ke, an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Soochow University in Suzhou, China, who led the study, moderate intake of caffeine, which is defined as approximately three cups of coffee or tea per day, was linked to a decreased likelihood of developing cardiometabolic multimorbidity.
At least two cardiometabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke, coexist when there is cardiometabolic multimorbidity, or CM.
“Coffee and caffeine consumption may play an important protective role in almost all phases of CM development,” Ke stated.
Researchers examined data from over 180,000 individuals in the UK Biobank, a sizable scientific database and research resource that tracks individuals over an extended period of time. At the beginning, none of the individuals involved had cardiometabolic disorders.
According to a study published on Tuesday in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, the information included the participants’ self-reported caffeine consumption through coffee, black, or green tea, as well as the cardiometabolic diseases they developed through primary care data, hospital records, and death certificates.
A lower incidence of new onset cardiometabolic multimorbidity was observed among moderate coffee users. Compared to those who drank less than one cup or didn’t drink at all, the risk was lowered by 40.7% if they consumed 200 to 300 mg of caffeine per day or 48.1% if they drank three cups, according to Ke.
Dr. Gregory Marcus, associate chief of cardiology for research and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said the study provided a strong look at the effects of caffeine on heart health because it examined many biomarkers and a large sample size. He didn’t work on the research project.
“These observations add to the growing body of evidence that caffeine, and commonly consumed natural substances that contain caffeine such as tea and coffee, may enhance cardiovascular health,” Marcus wrote in an email.
What scientists are unaware of
Although the technique is sound and the findings are consistent with the body of research on caffeine and heart function, Marcus noted that there are still unanswered concerns over the degree of this relationship.
“It is important to emphasize that, while these data suggest a relationship between caffeine, tea, and coffee and a reduced risk of a combination of cardiovascular diseases, we need to be careful before we infer true causal effects,” Marcus stated.
He stated that the observational nature of the study limits its ability to identify a relationship between caffeine and heart health. He also mentioned the possibility that other factors are to blame for the better heart health.
Marcus continued, “It remains possible that the apparent protective effects do not truly exist at all and that the positive associations are all explained by some as yet unknown or unmeasured true determining factor,”
“For example, perhaps those more likely to consume these substances also tend to have a healthier diet or to be more physically active.”
Researchers are unable to determine if caffeine from energy drinks or carbonated beverages would also have a good effect because the study did not address this issue, according to Ke.
Do you think you should start having coffee?
Many academic works demonstrate the advantages of caffeine use.
A lower risk of diabetes has been linked to several studies, according to Marcus. He went on, citing studies of his own and others, to say that, contrary to popular belief, consuming coffee with caffeine is linked to a decreased risk of irregular heart rhythms.
The majority of the research, though, is observational, and one study had conflicting results, Marcus said, linking higher daily step counts with lower sleep levels when coffee use increased.“Even if caffeine, coffee, and tea in the amounts described in this study … are indeed healthy, there is also strong evidence that high-dose caffeine, particularly when included in artificial concoctions like energy drinks, may actually cause harmful and even dangerous heart rhythm problems.”The majority of the research, though, is observational, and one study had conflicting results, Marcus said, linking higher daily step counts with lower sleep levels when coffee use increased.
Marcus stated that while the new research may reassure individuals who already consume coffee or tea on a regular basis, it isn’t always a reason to begin doing so.
The statement,“It is also important to mention that more is not necessarily better,” he added