A new study published in the European Heart Journal has shown that people who drink coffee regularly in the morning have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease or death from any cause compared to people who drink coffee throughout the day.
The study included over 40,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2018 as well as a subset of nearly 1,500 participants who had a detailed seven-day dietary record. The timing of participants’ coffee drinking was analyzed and compared to their rates of cardiovascular disease and mortality during an average follow-up time of nearly 10 years.
The results showed that about 36% of participants were morning coffee drinkers, while about 14% of participants tended to drink coffee throughout the day. About 48% of participants did not drink any coffee. Compared to the group who did not drink coffee at all, participants who drank coffee only in the mornings had a 16% lower risk of death from any cause and a 31% lower risk of dying due to cardiovascular disease. However, there were no reductions in risk for all-day coffee drinkers compared to participants who did not drink coffee. Participants who drank 2–3 cups of coffee or more than 3 cups of coffee in the mornings saw the greatest reductions in risk, while participants who drank 1 or less cups in the mornings saw smaller (but still significant) reductions in risk.
The study authors noted that their research does not point to the cause of the reduction in risk for morning coffee drinkers. However, one possible explanation is that drinking coffee throughout the day may disrupt sleep and circadian rhythms. Sleep is a key component of heart health, and disrupted sleep may negate the beneficial health effects of drinking coffee.
Sources: European Heart Journal, Science Daily
