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Drinking coffee at a certain time of day may be better for heart health and longevity, according to a new study.
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Researchers found that morning coffee drinkers had a lower overall mortality risk than all-day coffee drinkers and non-coffee drinkers.
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Experts explain the results.
The benefits of drinking coffee are vast: studies have shown it can help reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack, increase muscle massand even add years to your life. However, new research shows that the time you drink a cup can impact heart health and longevity.
A study published in the European Journal of the Heart studied the timing of drinking coffee and its link to longevity. The analysis looked at 40,725 adults in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2018, in which participants were asked about all the foods and drinks they consumed at least a day, including whether they drank coffee, how much, and when. The study also included a subgroup of 1,463 people who were asked to complete a detailed food and drink diary for a full week. This information was then linked to records of deaths and causes of death over a period of nine to ten years.
Researchers found that, compared to people who didn’t drink coffee, morning coffee drinkers were 16% less likely to die from any cause and 31% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease. . However, there was no reduction in risk for all-day coffee drinkers compared to non-coffee drinkers.
Morning coffee drinkers were found to have a lower risk of all-cause mortality and heart disease, whether they drank two to three cups per day or more than three cups. In comparison, those who drank one cup or less in the morning experienced a smaller reduction in risk.
“Our results indicate that it is not just whether you drink coffee or how much you drink, but also the time of day you drink coffee that is important,” lead study author Lu Qi , MD, Ph.D., Celia Scott Weatherhead Professor. The Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine said in a statement press release. “We don’t usually give advice on the timing of our dietary recommendations,” Dr. Qi continued, “but maybe we should think about it in the future.”
So, what are the health benefits of coffee? Besides boosting your mood and energy, coffee also contains phenolic acid and flavonoids, antioxidants that protect your body from free radical damage, says Melissa Perst, DCN, RDNnational media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and member of the Prevention Medical Review Board.
New evidence suggests that morning coffee consumption, as opposed to daily consumption, may be linked to even lower risks of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality, according to Adedapo Iluyomade, MDpreventative cardiologist at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. “This association may be due to coffee’s interaction with circadian rhythms, as consuming caffeine later in the day can disrupt sleep patterns and melatonin secretion, potentially negating some of its health benefits.”
Having coffee earlier in the day is generally recommended so as not to disrupt your circadian rhythm, Perst agrees, because “poor sleep quality and lack of sleep can affect your health and well-being.”
The essentials
This study highlights that when and how much coffee you drink is important in assessing its health benefits, says Dr. Iluyomade. “Regular, moderate coffee consumption in the morning appears to confer a greater protective effect against cardiovascular and overall mortality compared to sporadic or late consumption, highlighting the importance of aligning eating habits with natural circadian rhythms,” explains -he.
The health benefits of coffee are not limited to cardiovascular protection, continues Dr. Iluyomade. “Moderate consumption has also been associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and neurodegenerative diseases.” However, these associations are based on observational data, so individuals should consider their own tolerance and response to caffeine, he emphasizes.
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