A study of over 40,000 American adults has found that the timing of coffee consumption may be just as important as the amount when it comes to living longer and healthier lives. This research supports previous studies linking moderate coffee consumption to numerous health benefits, including reduced chances of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Although previous studies have focused on the amount of coffee, this study looked at the timing of consumption, and the findings may prompt some individuals to reconsider their coffee routines.
Coffee Time and Health Outcomes
"Studies so far suggest that coffee consumption does not increase the risk of heart disease and appears to decrease the risk of some chronic diseases," said Lu Qi, a professor at Tulane University. "Given the effects caffeine has on our bodies, we wanted to see if the time of day you drink coffee has any effect on heart health."
The researchers classified coffee drinkers into two main groups: those who drink coffee most in the morning (36% of participants) and those who consume coffee throughout the day (14% of participants). The rest, 48%, did not consume coffee at all.
Morning coffee has more benefits
The results showed that those who consumed coffee during the first hours of the morning had greater health benefits. The study, which lasted just under 10 years, showed that morning coffee drinkers had a 16% lower risk of death from any cause and a 31% lower risk of death from heart disease, compared to individuals who did not consume coffee. .
In contrast, those who drank coffee throughout the day did not show any significant reduction in the risk of death.
Powerful heart health benefits
The benefits were particularly evident in heart health: moderate morning coffee drinkers had a 48% reduction in heart-related deaths, with those who consumed the most coffee (3+ cups) having a 39% reduction, and light coffee drinkers (one cup or less) recording a 35% decrease.
Why morning coffee might be more convenient
Experts propose two main mechanisms to explain why morning coffee may offer more benefits. First, late-night coffee consumption can disrupt the body's circadian rhythms by inhibiting the production of melatonin, a hormone that is linked to the sleep cycle and heart health. Heavy coffee consumption in the afternoon can decrease melatonin at night by up to 30%.
Second, the anti-inflammatory effects of coffee may be most beneficial in the morning, when the body's inflammatory indicators are at their peak, and consuming coffee at this time may enable the most effective use of anti-inflammatory compounds.
In conclusion, this new study shows that it is not just the amount and benefits of coffee that are important, but also when you consume coffee can affect your long-term health.
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