Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and in light of the latest research on it, it seems the more we drink the better. A new study led by researcher Adela Navarro, a cardiologist at the Hospital de Navarra in Pamplona (Spain) suggests that a high consumption of coffee can reduce the risk of premature death. One more benefit to add to the list of the positive effects of drinking coffee.
“Previous studies have suggested that drinking coffee could be inversely related to all-cause mortality, but this has not been investigated in a Mediterranean country,” Navarro clarifies.
Therefore, the researchers analyzed data from the Monitoring Project of the University of Navarra (SUN), a long-term prospective cohort study that began in 1999 from the need to demonstrate the preventive benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. Participants took questionnaires about their diet and lifestyle every 2 years for a decade. In all, they examined 19,896 participants with a mean age of 37.7 years at the start of the study.
In addition to their coffee intake, the volunteers had to answer about other lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and tobacco use. The researchers also collected information on the sociodemographic composition of the participants, collected blood samples, anthropometric measures – such as height and body mass index (BMI) – and the use of previous medication.
They also obtained mortality data from the National Death Index and the postal authorities, as well as from the families themselves. During the 10 years of follow-up, 335 participants died.
The experts used Cox regression models to adjust for potential confounders, such as age, sex or adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and to expand the relationship between coffee consumption and risk of death.
65% less risk
The results revealed that participants who drank at least 4 cups of coffee every day had a 65% lower risk of dying from all causes, compared to those who never or almost never drank coffee. Also, for every 2 additional cups of coffee consumed daily, the risk of premature death decreased by 25%.
The researchers also found that for adults over 45, coffee seemed to have an even more positive impact if possible , as the additional two daily cups of coffeeb lowered the risk of mortality by 30% in this particular age group.
“In the SUN project, we found an inverse association between coffee consumption and the risk of all-cause mortality, particularly in people 45 years of age and older, which may be due to a greater protective association among older participants. Our findings suggest that drinking four cups of coffee each day can be part of a healthy diet in healthy people , “adds Navarro.
Reference: Coffee consumption and all-cause mortality in a Mediterranean cohort: the SUN project. Adela María Navarro. 2017. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Barcelona (Spain).
