That morning cup of coffee may do more than just perk you up. According to new research, it may actually extend your life. A new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggests that drinking 2 to 3 cups of coffee daily can significantly reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and increase your lifespan. All types of coffee, including ground, instant, and decaf, appeared to provide this health benefit, although ground coffee was linked to the greatest reduction in risk. A reduction is arrhythmia’s was also seen with ground and instant coffee, but not with decaf.
Coffee Health Benefits
In addition to boosting energy levels, coffee has been linked with many other health benefits including decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, liver disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression. You may be wondering what it is about coffee that may benefit our health? It turns out coffee is an excellent source of several antioxidants, including hydrocinnamic acids and polyphenols. In fact, while caffeine is the most well-known constituent in coffee, it actually contains over 100 biologically active components, which may be responsible for the benefits observed with coffee drinking.
Coffee Consumption and Heart Health
Historically, health practitioners have recommended that heart patients avoid coffee. However, this study points to the safety and beneficial effects of coffee consumption on CVD prevention and arrhythmia incidence. It is important to note that coffee is a stimulant, which can have short-term effects such as increased blood pressure and palpitations and some may still need to limit their intake. And the extra calories, sugar, and saturated fat in a coffee beverage loaded with whipped cream and flavored syrup might offset any health benefits found in a basic black coffee. Excess sugar and saturated fat can affect your heart health in many ways. Obesity due to sugar-and saturated fat laden diets is associated with high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, increased triglycerides and high cholesterol levels. Too much sugar and saturated fat also increases the risk of heart disease. To reap the health benefits of coffee, try to keep your coffee simple and enjoy it black or with a splash of milk. If you must sweeten it, stick to no more than one teaspoon of sugar or try a natural sweetener such as stevia. This will allow you to enjoy your coffee, while still reaping the heart healthy benefits. And that’s good brews for everyone!
References:
Chien, David, et al. “The Impact of Coffee Subtypes on Incident Cardiovascular Disease, Arrhythmias, and Mortality: Long-Term Outcomes from the UK Biobank.” European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwac189.
“Coffee: Health Benefits, Nutrients, Preparation, and More.” WebMD, WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-coffee.
Link, Rachael. “9 Health Benefits of Coffee, Based on Science.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 11 Jan. 2022, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee#2.-May-be-linked-to-a-lower-risk-of-type-2-dia