Drinking coffee this way may prevent heart disease, stroke

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A recent study from researchers at Semmelweis University brings some encouraging news for coffee enthusiasts. According to their findings, drinking up to three cups of coffee daily may significantly reduce the risk of stroke and fatal heart disease.

This adds a positive dimension to the ongoing conversation about coffee’s impact on heart health, especially considering how popular coffee is around the world.

For years, the long-term effects of regular coffee consumption on cardiovascular health have been somewhat unclear. To help clarify these effects, the researchers focused on how habitual coffee drinking might influence the chances of heart attacks, strokes, and overall mortality.

To conduct the study, the team used data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale database that included information from 468,629 participants. These individuals did not have any signs of heart disease when the study began.

The average age of participants was 56, with a slight majority being women. Over the course of 10 to 15 years, these participants were closely monitored to see how their coffee habits might relate to their health outcomes.

Participants were divided into three groups based on their coffee intake: those who didn’t drink coffee regularly made up 22.1% of the group; light-to-moderate drinkers, who consumed between 0.5 to 3 cups per day, comprised 58.4%; and high consumers, who drank more than three cups daily, made up the remaining 19.5%.

The results of the study were quite revealing. Compared to those who didn’t drink coffee regularly, those who drank light-to-moderate amounts of coffee had a 12% lower risk of dying from any cause, a 17% reduced risk of dying from heart disease, and a 21% lower risk of having a stroke.

These findings suggest that drinking coffee in moderation could be beneficial for heart health and longevity.

To explore these findings further, the researchers also looked at detailed heart images from a smaller group of 30,650 participants who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

This advanced imaging technique allowed the researchers to examine the structure and function of the participants’ hearts. The data showed that regular coffee drinkers generally had healthier heart sizes and functions, indicating that coffee might help protect the heart from the negative effects of aging.

This connection between coffee and heart health is particularly interesting, as it supports the idea that moderate coffee consumption could contribute to better cardiovascular outcomes. However, the exact reasons why coffee might have these benefits are still not fully understood.

The researchers suggest that certain components in coffee could lead to positive changes in the heart’s structure and function, but more research is needed to fully understand these mechanisms.

While these results are promising, the study’s authors, including Dr. Judit Simon, stress the importance of further research to confirm and expand upon these findings.

The study was presented at the ESC Congress 2021, highlighting its significance in the ongoing discussion about how diet can influence heart health.

For those looking to reduce their risk of stroke and heart-related issues, this study suggests that drinking coffee in moderation might be a helpful addition to a healthy lifestyle.

However, it’s important to remember that individual health factors vary, and anyone considering dietary changes should consult with their healthcare provider.

This research not only highlights the potential health benefits of coffee but also encourages further scientific investigation into how our daily habits can affect our long-term health.

If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and Vitamin K2 could help reduce heart disease risk.

For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about how to remove plaques that cause heart attacks, and results showing a new way to prevent heart attacks, strokes.

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