Coffee and tea are major sources of phenolic acids and polyphenols, which boast antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.Romolo Tavani – stock.adobe.com
A recent study published on September 17, 2024, by researchers from Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, China, reveals that moderate coffee consumption can significantly lower the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The study focused on cardiometabolic multimorbidity, a condition that involves the presence of two or more cardiometabolic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or stroke.
The findings are promising for coffee lovers, showing that consuming around three cups of coffee per day, or 200-300 milligrams of caffeine, can reduce the risk of these conditions by over 40% compared to those who don’t drink coffee or consume much less. With over 34 million adults in the U.S. having cardiometabolic multimorbidity as of 2017, this revelation could have wide-reaching health implications.
The study involved more than 360,000 participants from the UK, tracking their caffeine intake over a period of 12 years. The researchers discovered that approximately 2,700 participants developed cardiometabolic multimorbidity during that time. The study highlights how moderate coffee consumption can have protective effects, particularly for those at risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.
The research team analyzed plasma samples from about 185,000 individuals and measured 168 metabolites, which are small molecules involved in various metabolic processes. These metabolites offered insights into the participants’ cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid composition, among other things. The researchers found that coffee and caffeine consumption at moderate levels had the strongest positive effect, lowering the risk of cardiometabolic diseases significantly.
Caffeine, the main active compound in coffee, has been found to improve insulin sensitivity, a key factor in preventing Type 2 diabetes. It can also help reduce harmful cholesterol levels, which are closely linked to heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes. Coffee, with its high content of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, may help combat these conditions.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day for healthy adults, which equates to about four cups of coffee. While moderate coffee consumption offers health benefits, overconsumption of caffeine can lead to various health issues, including restlessness, dizziness, and sleep problems, especially when consumed later in the day.
The study did not include other sources of caffeine like sodas or energy drinks, which tend to have different metabolic impacts due to their added sugars and other ingredients. However, the study authors believe that caffeine’s potential benefits could extend beyond coffee and tea. They emphasized the need for more research to understand the specific metabolic pathways through which coffee, tea, and caffeine intake contribute to the reduction of cardiometabolic risks.
One of the limitations of the study is its focus on coffee and tea consumption without factoring in other dietary habits that could influence cardiometabolic health. Still, the researchers believe their findings are significant. The study’s lead author, Dr. Chaofu Ke, noted that promoting moderate coffee consumption as part of a healthy diet could have far-reaching public health benefits, particularly for the prevention of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
While coffee and caffeine have long been subjects of debate in the medical community, this study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that moderate coffee consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Cardiologists like Dr. Nisha Parikh, co-director of the Center for Women’s Heart Health at the Northwell Cardiovascular Institute, have also weighed in, agreeing that moderate caffeine intake does not cause atherosclerosis and may even offer modest protection against diabetes.
The research team behind the study hopes their findings will lead to further studies on the long-term benefits of coffee consumption, particularly how it interacts with other aspects of diet and lifestyle.
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