A recent study has revealed a potential link between moderate coffee and tea consumption and a lower risk of developing serious heart-related diseases. Led by Dr. Chaofu Ke from Soochow University in China, the research indicates that enjoying three cups of coffee or tea daily might help reduce the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CM). CM refers to the simultaneous presence of multiple conditions like heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Ke suggests that the caffeine present in coffee and tea might play a protective role against these diseases as they develop. The research involved analyzing data from approximately 180,000 individuals in the UK, who were initially free from heart or metabolic diseases. Researchers meticulously tracked their caffeine intake from coffee or tea and monitored the development of any related diseases over time.
The study’s results highlight a significant association between coffee consumption and a reduced risk of developing CM. Individuals who drank three cups of coffee daily experienced a 48.1% lower risk compared to those with minimal coffee intake. Even those consuming 200-300mg of caffeine daily, whether from coffee, black tea, or green tea, exhibited a 40.7% reduced risk.
While the study provides compelling evidence, Dr. Gregory Marcus from the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the research, emphasizes that the findings support the idea that caffeine, particularly in tea and coffee, could improve heart health. However, he cautions that the study does not definitively prove a causal link between caffeine and better heart health. He also stresses the importance of recognizing that high doses of caffeine, especially from energy drinks, could be harmful and lead to heart rhythm problems.
This research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting potential benefits of moderate coffee and tea consumption for heart health. However, further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and determine the optimal levels of caffeine intake for individual health outcomes.
