Morning Coffee Consumption May Lower Risk of Death and Heart Disease, Study Reveals | UK News
Beginning your day with a cup of coffee may offer more health advantages than consuming multiple cups throughout the day, according to a recent study.
Researchers analyzing long-term health, nutrition, and lifestyle discovered that a higher intake of coffee was “significantly” linked to a reduced risk of death, specifically among those who drank coffee in the morning compared to those who consumed it throughout the day.
The results suggest that the timing of coffee consumption is just as crucial as the amount consumed.
Conducted by experts from Tulane University in Louisiana, US, the study involved over 40,000 adults who were monitored for nearly a decade.
More than one-third (36%) of the participants identified as morning coffee drinkers, while approximately 14% classified themselves as all-day coffee drinkers.
During the follow-up phase, around 4,295 participants died.
After considering various factors, researchers found that morning coffee drinkers had a 16% lower likelihood of dying compared to those who abstained from coffee.
Additionally, they were 31% less likely to perish from heart disease.
No decrease in risk was found for all-day coffee drinkers compared to non-coffee drinkers.
Lead author Dr. Lu Qi stated, “Current research indicates that drinking coffee does not elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease and seems to decrease the risk of certain chronic conditions, like type 2 diabetes.”
“This is the first study examining the timing patterns of coffee consumption and their impact on health outcomes.”
“Our results suggest that it’s not just the consumption of coffee or how much is consumed, but the timing of coffee drinking that matters. While we typically don’t provide advice on timing in dietary guidance, it may be worth considering in the future.”
Dr. Lu noted that the findings do not clarify why morning coffee consumption lowers the risk of death and heart disease, but suggested that drinking coffee in the afternoon might disrupt circadian rhythms and affect hormone levels like melatonin.
This could lead to alterations in cardiovascular risk factors such as inflammation and blood pressure.
‘Likely to be healthy’
In related research, Professor Thomas Luuscher from the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals in London remarked that “many all-day drinkers experience sleep disturbances.”
He emphasized that overall, individuals “must acknowledge” the “substantial evidence” indicating that coffee consumption, especially in the morning, is likely beneficial—so enjoy your coffee, but aim to have it in the morning.”
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Similar results were found among those who consumed caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, whether in the morning or throughout the day.
The researchers noted that coffee drinkers with a morning-pattern tendency were more likely to also enjoy tea and caffeinated soda, consuming both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee compared to those who drank coffee all day.
