Drinking two to three cups of coffee a day is linked to a longer life and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new Australian scientific study. The benefit applies to all types of coffee, whether caffeinated or decaffeinated.
The researchers, led by Professor Peter Kistler of the University of Melbourne’s Medical School and the Baker Heart & Diabetes Research Institute, who published their findings in the «European Journal of Preventive Cardiology» published by the European Society of Cardiology, analyzed data on nearly 450,000 people with an average age of 58.
The participants, who were followed for approximately 12 years, during which time 27,809 (6.2%) died, while 43,173 (9.6%) were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, and 30,100 (6.7%) with arrhythmia, provided detailed information on whether they drank coffee, what type, and how often. Most usually drank ground coffee (44%), while 18% drank instant coffee and 15% drank decaffeinated coffee, and 22% (the control group) did not drink any coffee at all.
It was found that those who drank two to three cups of coffee daily had the greatest reduction in the risk of premature death from any cause, compared to those who did not drink any coffee at all: The odds ratios were 27%, 14%, and 11%, indicating a lower probability of death for those who drank ground coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and instant coffee, respectively.
With regard to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, all types of coffee were associated with a reduction in relative risk, with the lowest risk again associated with consuming two to three cups of coffee per day: The reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease was 20% for ground coffee, 9% for instant coffee, and 6% for decaffeinated coffee.
Finally, with regard to the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmia, caffeinated coffee—but not decaffeinated coffee—was associated with a reduced risk. The lowest risk—by 17% and 12%, respectively—was observed among those who drank four to five cups of ground coffee and two to three instant cups.
«Caffeine is the best-known component of coffee, but coffee also contains more than 100 biologically active substances. Our findings show that moderate consumption of all types of coffee should not be discouraged but can be enjoyed as a heart-healthy habit,» said Dr. Kistler.
